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Danny's Cats

Health and vet care

Body condition score

Also called Body condition scoring

Updated

What is a body condition score for cats?

A body condition score is a number vets give a cat for how much fat it carries, judged by looking and feeling rather than by weight. WSAVA's chart runs from 1, very thin, to 9, heavily overweight, with 5 as ideal: ribs felt under a slight fat covering and a waist behind them.

How is a cat's body condition scored?

A cat's body condition is scored by feeling the ribs and back and by looking at the waist from above and the belly from the side. WSAVA's nine-point chart describes each score by those features, from ribs easily seen at 1 to ribs that cannot be felt under heavy fat at 9. Cornell Feline Health Center uses the same nine-point scale and treats 4.5 to 5 as ideal.

Why does a body condition score matter more than weight?

A body condition score matters more than weight because the right weight differs from cat to cat with size and frame. VCA says body condition score is more important than the number on the scale. Weighing still helps you spot change over time, and WSAVA notes that a score of 6 may be acceptable in some cats, especially older ones.

What to look for

  • Ribs you can feel under a slight layer of fat, not see
  • A waist behind the ribs when you look down from above
  • A belly that tucks up slightly when seen from the side
  • No pad of fat over the lower back

Judging a long-haired cat by eye

Fur can hide both ribs and a missing waist. WSAVA's descriptions of visible ribs apply to short-haired cats, so on a fluffy cat feel along the ribs and back with your hands.

Questions about body condition score

What is the ideal body condition score for a cat?

The ideal body condition score for a cat is 5 on WSAVA's nine-point scale, where the ribs can be felt under a slight fat covering and a waist shows behind them. WSAVA says a 6 may be acceptable in some cats, especially older ones, and Cornell Feline Health Center treats 4.5 to 5 as ideal.

Can I score my own cat's body condition?

Scoring your own cat's body condition at home is a useful rough check. Feel the ribs and back and look at the waist and belly, then compare with a chart such as WSAVA's. VCA suggests comparing the ribs to the back of your hand. Your vet can give an exact score at a checkup.

Where this comes up

Sources