Body Condition

1. Emaciated

Ribs and lumbar vertebrae obvious, pelvic bones and all other bony structures obvious and prominent. Tail base prominent and bony. Accentuated concave abdominal tuck Accentuated, severe hourglass shape to waist. No discernable body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.

2. Thin

Ribs and lumbar vertebrae easily seen with no fat cover. Pelvic bones obvious. Tail base bony with little soft tissue. Marked concave abdominal tuck. Marked hourglass shape to waist.

3. Optimal

Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and other bony structures easily palpable with slight fat cover. Tail base smooth with thin, soft tissue cover. Concave abdominal tuck. Smooth hourglass shape to waist.

4. Fat

Ribs and lumbar vertebrae are difficult to palpate. Pelvic bones are palpable with moderate tissue cover. Tail base has fat deposition with moderate soft tissue cover. Concave tuck is decreased to absent. Loss of hourglass shape to waist with back slightly broadened.

5. Obese

Ribs and lumbar vertebrae are very difficult to impossible to palpate. Pelvic bones are difficult to palpate with thick tissue cover. Tail base is thickened from fat deposition with thick soft tissue cover. Abdomen is convex with or without a pendulous ventral bulge. Back is markedly broadened.

Cats

1. Emaciated

Ribs obvious on short haired cats. Pelvic bones and other bony structures easily palpated. Accentuated concave abdominal tuck. Accentuated, severe hourglass shape to waist. No discernable body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.

2. Thin

Ribs easily palpable with little fat cover. Lumbar (back) vertebrae obvious. Minimal abdominal fat. Marked hourglass shape to waist.

3. Optimal

Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and other bony structures easily palpable with slight fat cover. Concave abdominal tuck. Smooth hourglass shape to waist. Abdominal fat pad minimal.

4. Fat

Ribs are difficult to palpate. Pelvic bones are palpable with moderate tissue cover. Tail base has fat deposition with moderate soft tissue cover. Concave tuck is decreased to absent. Loss of hourglass shape to waist with back slightly broadened. Moderate abdominal fat pad.

5. Obese

Ribs are very difficult to impossible to palpate. Heavy fat deposits on back, face and limbs. Abdomen is distended with extensive abdominal fat deposits. Back is markedly broadened.

Images Courtesy of Ralston Purina Company