Page 112 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

Table VII-2.
Guide to 9-point and 5-point Body Condition Scores in dogs

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

Ribs & other bony prominences Visible from a distance &
easily palpable with no overlaying fat.
Abdomen Severe abdominal tuck when viewed from the side,
1.
Emaciated 1 exaggerated hourglass shape when viewed from above. <4% - ≥40%
Tail base Prominent, raised bone structures with no tissue
between the skin and bone. Obvious loss of muscle mass and no
discernible body fat.

Ribs & other bony prominences Visible & easily palpable with
no fat layer under the skin.
2. Abdomen Strong abdominal tuck when viewed from the side, 4-10% -30-40%
Very Thin accentuated hourglass shape when viewed from above.
Tail base Prominent, raised bone structures with no tissue
between the skin and bone. Minimal loss of muscle mass.
Ribs & other bony prominences discernible & easily palpable
with minimal fat cover.
3. 2 Abdomen pronounced abdominal tuck when viewed from the 5-15% -20-30%
Thin side, marked hourglass shape when viewed from above.
Tail base Raised bony structures with little tissue between skin
and bone.

Ribs & other bony prominences Easily palpable with minimal
4. fat cover.
Slightly Abdomen Abdominal tuck when viewed from the side, slightly 10-20% -10-15%
underweight marked hourglass shape when viewed from above.
Tail base Raised bony structures with little subcutaneous tissue.

Ribs & other bony prominences ribs not visible, but easily
palpable, with thin layer of fat. Other bony prominences are
palpable with slight amount of overlaying fat.
5. Abdomen abdominal tuck when viewed from the side and well
Ideal 3 proportioned lumbar waist (hourglass shape) when viewed from 15-25% 0%
above.
Tail base smooth contour or some thickening, bony structures
palpable under a thin layer of subcutaneous fat.

Ribs & other bony prominences palpable with moderate fat cover.
6. Abdomen less obvious abdominal tuck when viewed from the
Slightly side, hourglass shape less pronounced when viewed from above. 20-30% +10-15%
overweight Tail base smooth contour or some thickening, bony structures
remain palpable under moderate layer of subcutaneous fat.

Ribs & other bony prominences difficult to palpate, thick fat cover.
Abdomen little abdominal tuck when viewed from the side or
7.
Overweight 4 waist, and back slightly broadened when viewed from above. 25-35% +20-30%
Tail base Smooth contour or some thickening, bony structures
remain palpable under subcutaneous fat.

Publication May 2017 52/100