Body Condition Scoring
Cat Body Condition Score (BCS) Chart
The Body Condition Score Scoring (BCS) and assessments is an important tool for managing a cat's health. It is a numerical system used to assess the body fat and overall body condition of animals. It helps veterinarians and pet owners determine whether a feline is underweight, at an ideal weight, or overweight, along with an estimate of body fat, essential for managing health and preventing obesity-related issues.
The BCS is assessed by feeling key areas such as the ribs, back, spine, hips, and abdomen and observing the overall shape and fat deposits on the cat’s body.
The scoring typically ranges in whole integers on a scale from 1 to 9, with:
1 indicating emaciation (prominent bones, no visible fat)
5 representing an ideal or healthy body condition (ribs can be felt but not seen with a visible waist)
9 reflecting obesity indicating excessive body fat (no discernible waist)
A cat with an ideal healthy Body Condition Score (BCS) has a well-proportioned body with a visible waist when viewed from above and a slight abdominal tuck. The ribs can be easily felt with a gentle touch but are not prominent. The spine and hip bones are detectable but covered with a moderate layer of fat.
Studies show Pet Owners Often Misjudge Their Own Pet’s Weight Even With a BCS Chart
Studies have shown that cat owners, like dog owners, tend to normalize their cat's body condition, underestimating the weight of overweight cats and overestimating that of underweight cats. This misperception can make it harder to recognize when a cat is overweight or obese, emphasizing the need for regular veterinary check-ups and guidance on using a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart accurately.
How to perform a body condition assessment on a cat.
Make sure the cat is comfortable and relaxed, calm, and standing or sitting in a natural position. Some of the assessment for a cat can be performed while it is standing, lying down, or sitting.
Use gentle, soothing touches while palpating key areas, and provide plenty of reassurance throughout the process to keep the cat relaxed and comfortable.
Start with the ribs. Gently run your hands along the cat’s ribcage, starting just behind the front legs. You should be able to easily feel and count the cat’s ribs when you gently run your fingers along their side. A healthy body condition pet will have a thin layer of fat over the ribs and spine that you can feel but not see.
In underweight cats, the ribs will be very prominent and obvious, while in overweight or cats with obesity, they may be challenging to feel due to a thick layer of fat covering them.
Carefully feel and note any areas of fat deposits while performing your assessment.
Move to the spine and back. Place your hands along the spine, running from the shoulders to the hips. You should be able to feel the distinct margins of the bony prominences along the spine and hips. The spine should be palpable but not overly sharp or buried under fat.
In underweight cats the spine will feel prominent and sharp, while in overweight cats it will be padded or hard to feel.
Feel the Hips. Place your hands along the spine, running from the shoulders to the hips, and check for sharpness. You should be able to feel the spine, but it should not be overly distinct or prominent or buried under fat.
In an underweight cat, the hips will feel bony and lack softness. In an overweight cat, the hips will be padded or difficult to feel due to fat deposits.
Look at the pet from the side and examine the abdomen. Gently feel the cat’s belly. Examine its profile as it stands naturally and check for abdominal tuck. You may notice the primordial pouch as a loose, flexible flap of skin along the midline of the abdomen, which is normal and distinct from excess abdominal fat. A cat with an ideal body condition should have an underside or “belly” that gradually slopes upward from the rib cage toward the hind legs.
An underweight cat will have a severe tuck, while an overweight cat that has obesity will have little to no tuck and may have a bulging or sagging abdomen with a noticeable fat pad.
Look for an indented waist when viewing from above. Look down at the cat’s waist and check the overall shape: A cat with an ideal body condition will have a visible waist behind the ribs that tapers slightly towards the hips with a slight indentation near the midsection.
In an underweight cat, the waist will be very narrow; in an overweight, or cat that has obesity, the waist will be broad or nonexistent, with a rounded body shape.
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The primordial pouch is a normal anatomical feature that serves to allow for expansion of the abdomen, especially useful for movement and stretching in cats.
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The primordial pouch is a normal anatomical feature that serves to allow for expansion of the abdomen, especially useful for movement and stretching in cats.
Telling the difference between the primordial pouch and abdominal fat in cats can sometimes be confusing, but they have distinct characteristics.
Here’s how you can tell the difference:
Location
The primordial pouch is located along the midline of the abdomen, generally behind the ribcage and extending towards the hind legs.
Abdominal fat may be more pronounced over the entire belly, rather than being confined to a specific area.
How it Feels
The Primordial Pouch feels like a soft, loose flap of skin rather than a solid mass.
Abdominal fat feels thicker and more solid.
How it Moves
The Primordial Pouch is flexible and typically moves easily when touched or when the cat moves.
Abdominal fat feels firmer to the touch and is less mobile.
How it Looks
The Primordial Pouch has a loose, sagging appearance and is often more noticable when the cat is stretching or sitting.
Abdominal fat can cause the abdomen to look more rounded or distended.
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Longer fur can obscure the body’s underlying structures, making it more challenging to visually assess fat distribution and the pet's overall condition.
Cats like Maine Coons and Persians have dense, fluffy coats that can obscure their body’s structure, making it harder to visually assess fat distribution. Careful palpation of the ribs, spine, and waist area is needed to get an accurate assessment.
Part the Fur: Gently part the fur to access and palpate the key areas. This can help in feeling the body structure more accurately.
Regular Grooming: Regular grooming of long-haired pets can help make the body condition assessment easier by reducing fur thickness and mats.
Focus on Feel: Regardless of the coat length, focus on feeling the ribs, spine, hips, and abdomen rather than relying solely on visual assessment.
By adjusting your approach based on the cat's coat length, you can more accurately assess body condition and ensure a proper evaluation for both short-haired and long-haired cats.
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Pets with significant muscle loss may appear thinner, even if they have an average amount of fat.
The term "skinny fat" refers to a condition where a pet appears to be thin or at a healthy weight but has a higher body fat percentage and lower muscle mass. This condition can be misleading because the pet may not have visible fat deposits but still lacks muscle tone.
Causes of Muscle Loss
Health conditions such as chronic illness, cancer, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (e.g., hypothyroidism) can lead to muscle wasting.
Age - Older pets often experience muscle loss due to natural aging and decreased activity levels
Inactivity: Prolonged periods of inactivity or immobility, such as during recovery from surgery or injury, can contribute to muscle loss.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate protein intake or poor-quality diet can result in insufficient muscle maintenance and growth.
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Stockier Breeds: Breeds like British Shorthairs tend to have more muscular, compact builds, which can make them appear heavier than they are. This can lead to overestimating their body condition if you're only relying on looks.
Slender Breeds: Breeds like Siamese and Orientals naturally have leaner, more angular physiques, and their ribs may be more prominent even when they are at a healthy weight. It's important not to assume they're underweight based on appearance alone.
Size vs. Fat: Maine Coons are naturally large and muscular. It's important not to confuse their size with being overweight. Look for fat deposits in key areas like the ribs and abdomen rather than focusing on their overall size or weight.
It is important to regularly assess of body condition.
Feeling and observing key areas help determine the cat’s position on the 1–9 BCS scale. Regular assessments are crucial for monitoring the cat’s health and managing its body condition safely and effectively.
Consistent evaluations allow for timely adjustments to your cat’s lifestyle and overall care, ensuring optimal well-being and preventing health issues related to body condition.
Always Consult Your Veterinarian Before Starting a Weight Loss Program
It is essential to consult a veterinarian before starting a feline weight loss program to rule out underlying medical conditions as well as mitigate the risk of hepatic lipidosis.
Hepatic lipidosis “fatty liver disease” is a relatively common life-threatening condition that can result from rapid weight loss due to dietary changes, reduced calorie intake, or inadequate nutrition.
Body Condition Scores
1 Emaciated
Extremely emaciated with very poor body condition.
Ribs: Projects prominently, with sharp bony edges; no layer of fat; easily visible on short-haired cats
Back/Spine: Project prominently
Hips: Clearly visible, sharp and protruding
Abdomen: Severe abdominal tuck with a concave appearance
Waist (from above): Extremely narrow with an hourglass shape
2 Very Thin
Ribs: Easily felt with a very minimal layer of fat; visible on short-haired cats
Back/Spine: Project prominently, with sharp bony edges
Hips: Visible and prominent with bony edges
Abdomen: Very pronounced abdominal tuck with a concave appearance
Waist (from above): Very narrow with an extreme hourglass shape
3 Thin
Ribs: Easily felt with a slight covering of fat; visible on short-haired cats
Back/Spine: Project prominently with sharp bony edges
Hips: Visible
Abdomen: Has a pronounced abdominal tuck and a small amount of abdominal fat
Waist (from above): Visible waistline
4 Moderately Thin
Ribs: Easily felt with a light covering of fat; not visible
Back/Spine: Spine can be felt
Hips: Less bony with a layer of fat coverage; still visible in short-haired cats
Abdomen: Slight abdominal tuck with a small fat pad
Waist (from above): Noticeable waistline, but not overly narrow
5 Ideal
Ribs: Can be felt and has a slight fat covering
Back/Spine: Smooth and easily felt but not sharp or bony
Hips: Rounded with a layer of fat
Abdomen: Slight abdominal tuck with a small fat pad
Waist (from above): Noticeable waistline behind the ribs with a gently curved hourglass shape
6 Moderately Above Ideal
Ribs: Can still be felt but with more difficulty; not visible
Back/Spine: Can still be felt
Hips: Able to feel; no longer visible; some fat deposits present
Abdomen: Minimal abdominal tuck with a slight rounding of the abdomen
Waist (from above): Not defined
7 Overweight
Ribs: Difficult to feel under fat accumulation
Back/Spine: Becoming difficult to feel
Hips: Able to feel with some pressure; not visible; fat deposits present
Abdomen: No abdominal tuck with a rounded appearance
Waist (from above): Barely visible or absent; body appears more rounded from above
8 Obesity
Ribs: Very difficult to feel under layer of fat
Back/Spine: Very difficult to feel
Hips: Difficult to feel under a layer of fat, little definition; not visible
Abdomen: Pronounced rounding of the abdomen and distension
Waist (from above): Not visible, broad and rounded from above
Notable fat deposits on the body
9 Severe Obesity
Ribs: Unable to feel
Back/Spine: Difficult to feel
Hips: Heavily padded with significant fat deposits; no definition
Abdomen: Large hanging fat pad
Waist (from above): No waist, broad and rounded from above
Significant fat deposits are noted over the lower spine, neck and chest