Body Condition Score in Dogs: How to Check Your Dog’s Weight
What is a body condition score in dogs?
How to check your dog’s body condition score
Body condition score chart for dogs
What is a healthy body condition score for dogs?
What to do if your dog has an abnormal body condition score
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What is a body condition score in dogs?
A body condition score (BCS) is a practical way to assess how much body fat your dog has. It helps determine whether your dog is underweight, at an ideal body condition or carrying excess fat.
BCS is used alongside body weight in the veterinary profession because dogs of the same breed or size can have different ideal weights. It assesses body fat, not muscle, so vets may also assess muscle condition separately.
How to check your dog’s body condition score
With your dog standing:
Feel the ribs: Gently run your hands over both sides of the rib cage. You should be able to feel the ribs easily without pressing hard, with a thin layer of fat over them.
Look from above: Check whether your dog has a visible waist behind the ribs.
Look from the side: Check whether the belly slopes upwards towards the hind legs (an “abdominal tuck”).
Long or thick fur can make a visual check harder, so feeling your dog’s body is important.
It’s best to ask your vet to double-check your dog’s score, as the differences between scores can be subtle, especially if you’re not used to assessing it.
Body condition score chart for dogs
1: Severely underweight
Ribs, spine, hip bones and other bones are visible from a distance.
No detectable body fat.
Severe waist and belly tuck.
2: Underweight
Ribs, spine and hip bones are easily visible.
No fat can be felt over the bones.
Obvious waist and belly tuck.
3: Thin
Ribs are easily felt and may be visible, with no fat covering.
Spine is visible.
Obvious waist and belly tuck.
4: Ideal (lean end)
Ribs are easily felt with a thin layer of fat, but not visible.
Waist is easily seen from above.
Belly tucks up clearly from the side.
5: Ideal
Ribs can be felt without excess fat covering.
Waist is visible behind the ribs from above.
Belly tucks up when viewed from the side.
6: Above ideal
Ribs can be felt but with a little extra fat covering.
Waist is visible from above but not obvious.
Belly tuck is still present.
7: Overweight
Ribs are hard to feel under fat covering.
Fat deposits over the lower back and base of the tail.
Waist is barely visible or absent.
Belly tuck may be absent.
8: Obese
Ribs cannot be felt.
Heavy fat deposits over the lower back and base of the tail.
No waist.
No belly tuck; the belly may look rounded.
9: Severely obese
Ribs cannot be felt at all.
Heavy fat deposits on the neck, chest, lower back, tail base and legs.
No waist; the body looks wide or oval from above.
Belly is clearly enlarged and may sag.
What is a healthy body condition score for dogs?
A body condition score of 4–5 out of 9 is generally considered ideal for dogs. Scores below 4 suggest that a dog may be too thin, and scores above 5 suggest excess body fat.
The ideal can also vary by breed. Sighthounds such as greyhounds, whippets and salukis are naturally lean and are often healthiest at around 3–4 out of 9, when a few ribs and the hip bones may be faintly visible. Puppies are still growing, so steady growth is a better guide than a particular score.
Your vet can help you work out the best body condition for your individual dog.
What to do if your dog has an abnormal body condition score
If your dog’s body condition score is below or above the ideal range, speak to your vet. They can assess your dog’s body fat and muscle condition and check for possible underlying medical causes. They can recommend a suitable plan to help your dog reach and maintain a healthy body condition.
If your dog is overweight, read our guide to obesity in dogs for more information about the health risks and how to help your dog lose weight safely. If your dog takes medication that can affect their appetite or weight, such as steroids, they may need extra support to maintain a healthy body condition. Speak to your vet for advice.
Seek urgent veterinary advice if your dog also seems unwell, for example, if they are lethargic, off their food, vomiting, losing weight unexpectedly, have diarrhoea, or are drinking or urinating more than usual.
Remember: Body condition scoring is a useful guide, but it doesn’t replace a veterinary check. Your vet can assess your dog’s body condition alongside their muscle mass and overall health.
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