Body Condition Scoring System for Cats
Body condition scoring is a procedure that helps determine if a pet's growth rate and feeding portions are correct. Proper growth and weight can help prevent obesity and growth-related skeletal disease.
Chart courtesy Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. ©1999 - used with permission {thank you Renee}.
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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
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UNDERWEIGHT
RIBS - Easily felt with little fat cover
TAIL BASE - Bones are raised with minimal tissue between the skin and bone
SIDE VIEW - Abdominal tuck
OVERHEAD VIEW - Marked hourglass shape
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IDEAL
RIBS - Easily felt with slight fat cover
TAIL BASE - Smooth contour but bones can be felt under thin layer of fat
SIDE VIEW - Abdominal tuck
OVERHEAD VIEW - Well-proportioned lumbar waist
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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
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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
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