Pet Body Condition Score Chart

The scale is more telling than the number on the weighing scale. Use the hands-on checks below to score your pet from 1 (too thin) to 5 (obese).

The 5-Point Scale

Score	What you see & feel
1 – Too thin	Ribs, spine and hip bones visible. No fat. Obvious waist tuck.
2 – Lean	Ribs easily felt with little fat. Waist clearly visible from above.
3 – Ideal	Ribs felt without pressing hard. Visible waist behind ribs. Slight tummy tuck.
4 – Overweight	Ribs hard to feel under fat. Waist barely visible. Rounded tummy.
5 – Obese	Cannot feel ribs. No waist. Fat deposits on back and tail base.

Ribs: run your hands along the chest; you should feel ribs like the back of your hand.
Waist: look from above; there should be a visible narrowing behind the ribs.
Profile: from the side, the tummy should tuck up, not hang down.