5 Best Dog Scales in 2021 and How to Choose

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As a doggie parent, your pet’s health should be a major cause of concern to you. Knowing every single thing about your pet will help you to immediately detect any health problems and nip them in the bud as soon as possible. It is important that every dog has and maintains a healthy weight at all times, and a dog scale is the best tool for checking your pet’s weight.  

Scales for dogs help you to know and keep track of your dog’s weight as often as you want. Purchasing one will save you unnecessary trips to the vet’s office just to go check your pet’s weight. We have compiled the best pet weighing scales for dogs in this article so that you can see their features and decide on which one is best for your pet.

How to choose (key features to pay attention to)

• The size and capacity of the scale

The surface of the scale should be big enough to comfortably hold your pet regardless of how big the pet is.

If you are going to be using the weight scale for dogs for just your puppy, then you might want to get a scale that has the capacity to measure weights that are above your puppy’s current weight. Also, if you plan on using the device to weigh your dog even when it becomes an adult, then the maximum capacity should be greater than the average weight of your dog’s breed as adults.

In this article, we have specified the best scales for both large and small dogs.

• The LCD display

The LCD display of the dog weight scale that you are getting should be bright and big enough to allow you to read figures without any hassle. 

• The resolution and precision of the scale

Some scales are not very accurate and will show big differences in your pet’s weight if you weigh the animal more than once in a short time frame. Needless to say, but this is not good at all, especially for puppies and small dogs. The device you are getting should be accurate enough to measure your dog’s exact weight or have a precision of 10 grams or 0.1 pounds. The devices in this article have great precisions. 

• The measuring unit of the scale

Animal scales will usually have two or more units of measurement. If you are used to a particular unit, then you should make sure that the scale that you are getting reads in that unit. This way, you will save yourself the trouble of having to convert the measurements you get to the unit that you are used to.

• The surface of the scale

Since you are going to be using the scale for your dog, it is best that you get a device with a non-slip surface. Dogs move around a lot, and your pet may slip off the device if it has a slippery surface. This will make weighing your dog more difficult to do as the weights may keep changing, especially if the device does not have a ‘hold’ button.

• The durability of the scale

No one likes substandard products that can break down very easily. Therefore, it is best to purchase a quality and durable scale that will last and serve your purposes for a long time. If you are not sure which ones are the most durable on the dog scales for sale, we have compiled them for you in this article.

• Does the device have a hold button?

Although it is not a necessity, a ‘hold’ button is a nice feature for the device to have since you are going to be measuring a dog. Some dogs hardly stay still, and if you have such a dog, a hold button will allow you to quickly save your pet’s weight before it wriggles off the scale.

5 Best pet scales

Best puppy scale (puppy weighing scales)

If you’ve got a puppy and are looking for the best scale for your small pet, then you will be better off opting for this Pet scale, Multi-function baby scale.

The pet scale has the following features:

• It holds a maximum weight of 220 pounds, which means that you can use it for your puppy and yourself or other members of your household.
• It has a very accurate measurement with a precision of 0.1 pounds or 10 grams and reads in as little time as one second.
• There is a large LCD display of 1 x 2 inches, and so you will be able to read it even in the dark.
• It has a hold feature that is used to save the current weight on the screen of the scale. This would help to keep your pet’s correct weight so you can read it as it is difficult for most pets to stay still enough for long.
• It is easy to use.

Best small dog scale (small pet scale)

If you’ve got a small dog breed and you are looking for the best dog scale for small dogs, then you would be better off opting for the Mindpet Med digital pet scale.

The scale has the following features that make it great for small dogs:

• Maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds – more than enough capacity for your small-sized pet. With this maximum capacity, you can also use it for children (and adults) too (after removing the tray).
• Measuring range of 0.07 pounds or 30 grams to 220 pounds or 100 kilograms. 
• Four very precise sensors – help it to have a precision of 0.1 pounds or 10 grams.
• Hold function for saving the current weight on the screen in case your pet refuses to stay still while you are weighing it.
• Bright, high contrast LCD display – allows you to read results very easily and clearly.
• It can measure in different units, including pounds, ounces, and kilograms.

Best large dog scale (large pet scale)

The best digital dog scale for large dogs is the W.C. Redmon XL fields scale. This scale is a portable one for large dogs.

It has the following features:

• Maximum capacity of 330 pounds or 150 kilograms – enough capacity to weigh a large dog breed.
• Big platform measuring 35.5 inches X 19.7 inches X 2 inches – broad enough for your large dog breed to get on it for weighing.
• Large and easy-to-read display.
• Two measuring units – pounds and kilograms.
• Lightweight and easy to carry or transport.
• Easy to assemble and use.

If you want a heavy-duty scale for measuring large dog breeds, then the best one you will find is the Heavy Duty 660 Pounds Veterinary Dog Scale with Stainless Steel Platform.

The scale has the following features:

• Large-scale dimensions of 37 inches X 20 inches – large enough for very big dogs to get onto and have their weights taken.
• Maximum capacity of 660 lbs- perfect for measuring large-sized dogs, even obese ones.
• Stainless steel platform.
• Large LCD display – you can read the figures clearly.
• You can either plug in the device or use it with batteries.
• It can weigh in two units which are kilograms and pounds.
• Well-built and made with great quality – you will be using it for a long time to come.
• It comes with a rubber mat which – you can lay on it so that it becomes non-slip and your pet can get on it.

How to weigh your dog without a scale

Some dogs are easier to weigh than others as they have no problem getting on a scale long enough to have their weights measured. Some other dogs will not stay still on a scale no matter how hard you try to make them. 

If you have a dog that absolutely refuses to stay or sit still when you want to weigh it, then there is another way with which you can still weigh the dog. To find out your dog’s weight without a scale, use the following steps:

• Get out your scale and pick up your pet. Hold the pet tightly around your middle to avoid having it jump out of your arms.
• Next, get onto the scale so that you can measure your combined weights. Once you have registered and taken note of the weight, get off the scale, and drop your dog.
• After that, climb onto the scale again, this time without your dog, and measure your weight. 
• Once you have gotten the figure, all you need to do to know your dog’s weight is to subtract your weight alone from the first weight which was that of you and your dog combined. The figure you get is the weight of your dog.

Knowing your dog’s weight can help set your mind at ease, especially if the animal is sick and needs to gain weight. Also, knowing how much your pet weighs can help you to get the animal to lose weight if you have an overweight dog. This is why we recommend that you get a good dog scale to help you with this. The dog scales mentioned in this article are made with quality and will help you to weigh your pet for years.