Body Condition Score Assessment of Dogs

Thin Dogs2.gif (1816 bytes)

Thin Dog

  • Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones easily visible
  • No palpable fat
  • Obvious waist and abdonimal tuck
  • Prominent pelvic bones
Under Dogs2.gif (1833 bytes)

Underweight Dog

  • Ribs easily palpable
  • Minimal fat covering
  • Waist easily noted when viewing from above
  • Abdominal tuck evident
Ideal Dogs2.gif (1844 bytes)

Ideal Dog

  • Ribs palpable but not visible
  • Waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above
  • Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side
Over Dogs2.gif (1819 bytes)

Overweight Dog

  • Ribs palpable with slight excess of fat covering
  • Waist discernible when viewed from above but not prominent
  • Abdominal tuck apparent
Obese Dogs2.gif (1802 bytes)

Obese Dog

  • Ribs not easily palpable under a heavy fat covering
  • Fat deposits over lumbar area and tail base
  • Waist barely visible to absent
  • No abdominal tuck; may exhibit obvious abdominal distention

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