When we think of “fitness,” we mostly picture lean, muscular humans who exercise regularly and eat well. But what about our pets?

A recent case at AsiaPaws highlights the importance of fitness beyond body weight.

Despite looking healthy, a 7-year old medium sized dog showed clear signs of being unfit and was unwell without obvious symptoms of illness.
Here’s the story of this my patient:

A family came in with their beloved furkid for a ‘wellness exam’. The beautifully groomed dog appeared healthy at first glance. His weight was within breed standards, and the fat deposits under the skin, primarily along the back, seemed to have no impact on his health. Both, the owners and previous vets, didn’t see any cause for concern. However, what struck me immediately was the dog’s movement—he seemed rather ‘unfit.’ My clinical exam revealed mild joint stiffness and a very mild heart murmur. Upon further questioning, I learned that this dog rarely exercises beyond following his owners around the house. A week later, the requested blood tests results showed elevated liver enzymes and a problem of detoxing “heavy metal load”.

The takeaway here is that despite this fur-kid’s weight being within accepted range, a lack of physical activity led to visible signs of deconditioning and hidden aging problems without clear symptoms.

Too many pets are judged by weight alone, not by muscle function, joint health, or detox efficiency.

As a holistic vet, we define a fit pet as one that exercises regularly, promotes oxygen flow, and supports toxin elimination through proper bodily function.

Fitness isn’t just about avoiding excess weight—it’s about having strong muscles, healthy joints, and daily exercise that boosts the body’s oxygen and detoxing.

For safe, easy to follow and efficient tips with a fitness evaluation of your pet, consult a professional physiotherapist.

Let’s make 2025 the year your pet is “fit as a fiddle”!