Page 111 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

Table VII-1.
Guide to 9-point and 5-point Body Condition Scores in cats

Score % BW
Location Estimated
Feature body fat (%) below or
9-point 5-point above BCS 5

Ribs and bony prominences are visible and easily palpable with
1.
Emaciated 1 no fat cover. Severe abdominal tuck when viewed from the side ≤10% - ≥40%
and an exaggerated hourglass shape when viewed from above.

Ribs and bony prominences are visible on shorthaired cats and
2. easily palpable with no fat cover. Severe abdominal tuck, when
Very Thin viewed from the side and a marked hourglass shape when viewed 5-15% -30-40%
from above.

Ribs and bony prominences are easily palpable with minimal fat
3.
Thin 2 cover. Marked abdominal tuck when viewed from the side and an 10-20% -20-30%
obvious waist when viewed from above.

4.* Ribs and bony prominences are easily palpable with minimal
Slightly fat cover. Abdominal tuck when viewed from the side, and a well 15-25% -10-15%
underweight proportioned waist when viewed from above.

Ribs and bony prominences are palpable with a slight fat cover.
5.*
Ideal 3 Abdominal tuck is present when viewed from the side, and a well 20-30% 0%
proportioned waist when viewed from above.

6. Ribs and bony prominences can be felt under a moderate fat
Slightly cover. Abdominal tuck and waist are less pronounced. A mild 25-35% +10-15%
overweight abdominal fat pad may be palpable.

Ribs and bony prominences can be felt under a moderate fat
7. cover. No abdominal tuck but a moderate abdominal fat pad is
Overweight 4 visible when viewed from the side and no waist when viewed from 30-40% +20-30%
above.

Ribs and bony prominences are difficult to palpate, under a
8. thick fat cover. Pendulous ventral bulge with some abdominal
Obese fat deposits, when viewed from the side. Broadened back when 35-45% +30-40%
viewed from above.

Ribs and bony prominences are very difficult to feel under a
9. thick fat cover. Large pendulous ventral bulge with extensive
Grossly 5 abdominal fat deposits, when viewed from the side. Markedly >45% +>40%
Obese broadened back when viewed from above. Fat deposits around
face, neck and limbs.

Adapted from Laflamme 1997a & 2006, Laflamme et al. 1995, and Bjornvad et al. 2011.
*Data suggest that for neutered inactive cats a BCS of 4/9 may be optimal rather than the 5/9 score which is optimal for intact more active cats (Bjornvad et al. 2011).

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