Body Condition Scores


1
VERY THIN
Ribs: Easily felt with no fat cover
Tail Base: Bones are raised with no tissue between the skin and bone
Side View: Severe abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Accentuated hourglass shape		 Very Thin Dog Very Thin Cat
2
UNDERWEIGHT
Ribs: Easily felt with no fat cover
Tail Base: Bones are raised with no tissue between the skin and bone
Side View: Abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Marked hourglass shape		 Underweight Dog Underweight Cat
3
NORMAL WEIGHT
Ribs: Easily felt with slight fat cover
Tail Base: Smooth contour but bones can be felt under a thin layer of fat
Side View: Abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Well-proportioned lumbar waist		 Normal Dog Normal Cat
4
OVERWEIGHT
Ribs: Difficult to feel with moderate fat cover
Tail Base: Some thickening but bones can be felt under a moderate layer of fat
Side View: No abdominal tuck or waist
Overhead View: Back is slightly broadened		 Overweight Dog Overweight Cat
5
OBESE
Ribs: Difficult to feel with thick fat cover
Tail Base: Thickened and difficult to feel under a prominent layer of fat
Side View: Fat hangs from the abdomen and there is no waist
Overhead View: Markedly broadened		 Obese Dog Obese Cat

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