Healthy Weight, Healthy Pet: Body Condition Score - Cats

This installment of our Health Weight, Healthy Pet series, will focus on determining the body condition score for cats.

The guideline is similar to that of the dogs. However, it is more difficult to determine a cat's body condition score (BCS) based on visual markers. Most cats will not stand still and straight for us to check for the abdominal tuck. Below is a simpler way to help you evaluate your cat's body condition.

1) With your cat standing in front of you, gently run your fingertips along the side of your cat. It can be with and/or against the direction of the haircoat. Can you easily feel the ribcage?

Yes. Go on to Step 2.

No. Go to Step 3.

2) If you can feel the ribcage, can you feel the ribs themselves?

A. Your cat may be too thin if you can easily feel the ribs, spine, hips, or other bony prominence such as the shoulders. Review the chart to see if your cat is too thin.

B. What if you can feel the ribcage but not easily feel the ribs? What if there is a thin layer of fat covering the ribs? If you can feel the ribs with some light finger pressure, then your cat is likely in ideal body condition. Congratulations!

3) If you cannot feel the ribcage, can you feel the indentation of the waist when you run your fingers from the front legs to the rear legs? If you are not sure, close your eyes (or do not look at your fingers) and repeat the exercise.

A. If you can feel the waist indentation, your cat may be fine or just slightly overweight. The BCS may be between 5 and 6. Excellent! Check the chart if you are interested in a number score.

B. If you cannot feel when you pass the ribcage or the waist indentation, your cat is overweight. Move your hand over the lower back and hips. Can you feel a significant layer of fat or padding? If yes, your cat is likely very overweight. Follow the guideline in the Purina chart to determine a score.

If your cat is too thin or too heavy, ask your family veterinarian for advice. A medical work-up may be needed to rule out problems such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism in underweight senior cats. More often, though, slight diet or lifestyle changes may be all that are needed to get your cat to a better weight and in better health.

Next up: Petfit.com, a site to help guide and motivate us to a healthy weight and a healthy pet.