Body Condition Score

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X-Small Dog

1 Much too thin

  • Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences evident from a distance
  • No discernible body fat
  • Obvious loss of muscle mass

X-Small Dog

2 Much too thin

  • Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones easily visible
  • No palpable fat
  • Some bony prominences visible from a distance
  • Minimal loss of muscle mass

X-Small Dog

3 Too thin

  • Ribs easily palpable and may be visible with no palpable fat
  • Tops of lumber vertebrae visible, pelvic bones becoming prominent
  • Obvious waist and abdominal tuck

X-Small Dog

4 Ideal weight

  • Ribs easily palpable with minimal fat covering
  • Waist easily noted when viewed from above
  • Abdominal tuck evident

X-Small Dog

5 Ideal weight

  • Ribs palpable without excess fat covering
  • Waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above
  • Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side

X-Small Dog

6 Above ideal

  • Ribs palpable with slight excess of fat covering
  • Waist is discernible when viewed from above but is not prominent
  • Abdominal tuck apparent

X-Small Dog

7 Overweight

  • Ribs palpable with difficulty, heavy fat cover
  • Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail
  • Waist absent or barely visible
  • Abdominal tuck may be absent

X-Small Dog

8 Obese

  • Ribs not palpable under very heavy fat cover or palpable only with significant pressure
  • Heavy fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail
  • Waist absent
  • No abdominal tuck
  • Obvious abdominal distension may be present

X-Small Dog

9 Obese

  • Massive fat deposits over thorax, spine, and base of tail
  • Waist and abdominal tuck absent
  • Fat deposits on neck and limbs
  • Obvious abdominal distension
Much too thin
Too thin
Ideal weight
Above ideal
Overweight
Obese
Weight Tracker

The Royal Canin weight tracker allows you to track the weight of your pet. Simply select your pet, today’s date and your pet’s weight and track your pet’s progression on the graph.

Track your pet's weight
Body Condition Score guide

Look from above; how easily can you see the curve of their waist behind their ribs? What abdominal tuck can you see? Download a Body Condition Score chart to find out your pet’s shape.

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