Tracking Your Foster Puppy or Kitten's Weight

Bringing a foster puppy or kitten into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. One of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of caring for a young animal is tracking their weight regularly. Weight tells us far more than just how big they’re getting; it’s one of the earliest indicators of health, nutrition, and overall wellbeing.

Puppies and kittens should gain weight consistently as they grow. Even small changes can tell us a lot:

• Steady weight gain usually means they’re eating well and developing normally.

• Plateaus or weight loss can signal illness, parasites, stress, or feeding issues — often before other symptoms appear.

Because young animals can decline quickly, daily or frequent weight checks allow us to catch concerns early.

Weight tracking is one of the simplest tools fosters have to help keep their foster pet healthy. A lack of weight gain may be the first sign of:

• Upper respiratory infections

• Gastrointestinal illness

• Parasites

• Dehydration

• Failure to thrive

Catching these issues early allows the shelter or medical team to intervene before the problem becomes serious.

Monitoring weight helps determine whether your foster puppy or kitten is:

• Eating enough

• Transitioning to new foods successfully

• Ready to increase meal size or frequency

• Prepared for weaning (for bottle or slurry-fed babies)

Weight data helps staff make informed decisions about feeding plans and medical care.

When accurate weight records are available, staff can:

• Track growth trends over time

• Prescribe correct medication dosages

• Avoid unnecessary treatments

• Make quicker, more confident medical decisions

Your notes provide valuable insight that a single weigh-in at the clinic can’t show.

• Neonatal or bottle babies: Daily (same time each day if possible)

• Young puppies and kittens: At least 2–3 times per week

• Older, stable fosters: Weekly unless otherwise directed

Use a digital kitchen scale for small animals or a bathroom scale for larger puppies. Always weigh before feeding for the most accurate results.

• Use the same scale each time

• Weigh at the same time of day

• Record weights in a log or app

• Note changes in appetite, energy, or stool alongside weight

As a foster, you are on the front lines of care. By simply tracking weight, you’re helping ensure your foster puppy or kitten grows strong, stays healthy, and has the best possible chance at a successful adoption.

If you ever notice a lack of weight gain or sudden changes, reach out to your foster coordinator or medical team right away — your observations matter more than you may realize.