A critical first step in managing a dog's weight is determining their Body Condition Score (BCS) on a 9-point scale, where a 4 or 5 represents an ideal weight. For dogs that are overweight, simply feeding less of their standard maintenance diet is dangerous, as this can lead to severe nutrient deficiencies. Instead, veterinary therapeutic weight-loss foods are formulated with lower energy density (fewer calories per volume) but have higher concentrations of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to preserve lean muscle mass. Additionally, owners should measure food in grams using a kitchen scale rather than using measuring cups, which are notoriously inaccurate. Finally, any weight-loss plan must strictly adhere to the 10% rule: treats and snacks must never exceed 10% of a dog's total daily caloric intake.