What is a healthy body condition score?

On the 1–9 scale used by vets, 4 or 5 is ideal: you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, see a waist from above and, in dogs, a tummy tuck from the side. 6–7 is overweight and 8–9 obese.

Why not just use my pet's weight?

Weight alone can't tell you whether it is fat or muscle, and breeds vary hugely. Body condition scoring looks at fat cover directly, so it works for crossbreeds too. Track both: the score shows where they are, the scales show the trend.

How fast should an overweight pet lose weight?

Slowly. Vets typically aim for about 1–2% of body weight a week, with regular weigh-ins. Cats must never be crash-dieted: rapid loss can cause fatty liver disease, which can be fatal.

Does this tell me my pet's ideal weight?

No, on purpose. Converting a score into a target weight is a rough rule of thumb that can be badly wrong for some breeds. Your vet or vet nurse will set the target and the daily calorie allowance.

Is My Dog or Cat Overweight? BCS Checker

Quick answer

Feel the ribs, look for a waist from above and check the tummy from the side. If the ribs are hard to feel under fat and the waist has gone, your pet is likely overweight (a body condition score of 6–7 out of 9) or obese (8–9). Ask your vet to confirm and set a target weight before starting a diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy body condition score?: On the 1–9 scale used by vets, 4 or 5 is ideal: you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, see a waist from above and, in dogs, a tummy tuck from the side. 6–7 is overweight and 8–9 obese.
Why not just use my pet's weight?: Weight alone can't tell you whether it is fat or muscle, and breeds vary hugely. Body condition scoring looks at fat cover directly, so it works for crossbreeds too. Track both: the score shows where they are, the scales show the trend.
How fast should an overweight pet lose weight?: Slowly. Vets typically aim for about 1–2% of body weight a week, with regular weigh-ins. Cats must never be crash-dieted: rapid loss can cause fatty liver disease, which can be fatal.
Does this tell me my pet's ideal weight?: No, on purpose. Converting a score into a target weight is a rough rule of thumb that can be badly wrong for some breeds. Your vet or vet nurse will set the target and the daily calorie allowance.

Is my pet overweight? Body condition checker

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions