Is your pet in shape? Find out with the Body Condition Score

Are you concerned about your pet’s body shape? Determining whether your furry friend is underweight, overweight, or at their ideal weight doesn’t necessarily require special scales or fancy tools. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the simple and effective Body Condition Score (BCS) method to assess your pet’s shape at home.

By the end, you’ll know how to visually and physically evaluate your pet’s body condition and what steps to take next to ensure his long-term health and happiness.

Why Your Pet’s Weight Matters
Keeping your pet at an ideal weight is more than just about looks, it’s crucial for its overall health. Proper weight management helps prevent conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease, ensuring your pet lives a longer, happier life.

Your pet’s weight management journey, may be challenging for both you and the pet, but it’s well worth the effort, considering that healthy weight dogs live up to 15% longer (+1.8 years) than overweight dogs.

Simple steps such as scheduling annual check-ups with your vet, regularly weighing your pet, contacting a Farmina Consultant for expert nutritional advice and performing Body Condition Score evaluations, can help mitigate the risk of your pet becoming overweight or obese.

What is the Body Condition Score?
The Body Condition Score (BCS) is a widely used technique to evaluate your dog or cat’s physical condition.
This method considers both visual and tactile assessments to determine if your pet falls under one of these five categories:

1. Very Underweight
2. Underweight
3. Ideal Weight
4. Overweight
5. Obese

This scoring system can help pet parents make informed decisions about their pet’s diet and exercise needs.
Continue reading to find out how you can perform a BCS evaluation on your pet at home.

How to Evaluate Your Pet’s Body Condition
1. Visual Examination
Start by observing your pet’s body from above and from the side. Pay close attention to their ribs, waistline, and abdominal curvature:

• Very Underweight: Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones are highly visible, with no noticeable fat. The waistline and abdominal curve are sharply defined.
   
• Underweight: Ribs are easy to feel and lightly covered with fat. The waistline and abdominal curve are still visible.
   
• Ideal: Ribs are palpable without excess fat. The waistline is evident from above, and the abdominal curve is noticeable from the side.
   
• Overweight: Ribs can still be felt but are covered with excess fat. The waistline is less pronounced, and the abdominal curve is minimal.
   
• Obese: Ribs are not palpable due to heavy fat deposits. Fat is visible on the lower back and at the base of the tail. The waistline is nearly absent.

2. Tactile Examination
Use your hands to gently feel the ribs, chest, and the base of your pet’s tail. Using light pressure, you should be able to feel the ribs distinctly, with minimal fat obstructing them. This physical examination complements the visual check, allowing you to confirm fat deposits and body shape.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Attention to pets with long or thick fur, which may appear larger than they truly are. Always rely on tactile checks to confirm your pet’s body condition.
• Some breeds naturally carry more muscle or fat. Keep this in mind when scoring your pet’s body condition and consult your veterinarian for breed-specific guidance.

Contact a Farmina Consultant for assistance
Performing a BCS evaluation on your pet may be challenging the first time you perform it on your own. Luckily, our Farmina Consultants are here to support you anytime, anywhere.

Get in touch with a consultant now, for step-by-step assistance on how to properly perform the visual and tactile examination and finally determine your pet’s score.

After completing your pet’s Body Condition Score evaluation, you don’t have to navigate his health journey alone. Our Farmina Consultants are here to help with professional advice and customized diet plans for your pet’s needs.

Your pet deserves the best care, and with the Farmina Pet Care Program, expert guidance is just a few steps away.

Find out more