- Pet Obesity
- How to tell if your pet is overweight
How to tell if your pet is overweight
The most practical way to assess if a pet is in underweight or overweight is to perform a body condition score. We do this by using a 9 point scale that shows us pictures and descriptives of the animals shape. With all methods, the observer estimates the ‘condition score’ both with visual and ‘hands-on’ characteristics (e.g. presence of a waistline, amount of ‘fat cover’ over the ribs etc). It is important to use sight and touch particularly in longhaired pets, as it can be easy to over or under-estimate their condition score if sight alone is used.
These methods provide us with a reasonable guide to the degree of obesity, although not as accurate as the DEXA scanner that we use in the clinic. However a very useful tool for vets and nurses in practice and the owner at home.
How to use the Body Condition Score Charts
Dog – Click on the guide that best suits the size of your dog. There are five charts: Toy Dog (e.g Chihuahua), Small Dog (e.g. Jack Russell), Medium Dog, Large Dog and Giant Dog
Cat – Choose the guide for the cat
Score Cards
Toy Dog
Small Dog
Medium Dog
Large Dog
Giant Dog
Cat
1) Palpate your pet, only applying light pressure initially along the ribs (chest area). You need to decide whether or not you can feel an outline of the ribs present. Remember you are only using very light pressure.
2) Then do the same along the waist and under the abdomen. Using touch and vision decide if you can feel or see an abdominal tuck from the side of the animal and above.
3) Using light pressure now run your hands over the spine, lumbar region and around the base of the tail and decide whether you can feel any extra fat covering in any of those areas. Again look at the animal and the pictures on the body condition score chart for guidance.
4) Refer to your body condition score chart and using the pictures and descriptives, decide which number condition score is best suited to your pet.
| Score 1-3 | We would advise you take your pet to have a health examination with your local veterinary surgeon. |
| Score 4-5 | Your animal is in ideal body condition. Continue to monitor |
| Score 6-7 | Your animal is now classed as being overweight. Ask your vet or nurse for further advice on how to get your pet back into ideal body condition |
| Score 8-9 | Your animal is classed as obese. Please seek veterinary advice on the best care for your pet tio help themn return to ideal body condition. |
If you are unsure about Body Condition Scoring then ask your vet or vet nurse to help you, They will be more than happy to guide you through.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s weight, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinary surgeon or nurse for further advice.
Should you wish your animal to be referred to the weight clinic then please contact your Veterinary Surgery so they can arrange that for you.
