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15
Q.
When is a dog considered to be fat?
A.
Veterinarians often use a 9 point scor-
ing system to evaluate the body condition of
pets. A point value of 1 means the dog or cat
is extremely thin to the point of emaciation.
A score of 9 means the pet is grossly over-
weight. And like Goldilocks and the three
bears, a score of 5 is `just right.' To deter-
mine body score, there are several specific
areas of the dog or cat we look at. Remem-
ber, these are guidelines. A Greyhound with
a score of 5 is still going to be thinner than
a Bulldog with the same score. (NOTE: We
have included some illustrations with this
article which depict the contours of various
body scores.)
To perform the rating, we first feel the pet's
ribs. We should be able to quite easily feel
the ribs. There should be a slight amount of
fat over them, but each rib should be distinct.
If you can see the ribs, the pet is too thin. If
you can not feel them at all, the pet is very
overweight.
Second, check the area near the base of the
tail. There should be a slight fat covering over
this area and it should feel smooth. If the bones
protrude, the pet is too thin; if you can not feel
any bones at all, the pet is very overweight.
Third, feel other bony prominences on the
pet's body such as the spine, shoulders,
and hips. Again, you should be able to feel
a small amount of fat over these areas. If
these bones are easily felt or visible, the
dog or cat is too thin. If you can not feel the
bones beneath the layer of fat, the animal is
obviously overweight.
Fourth, look at the pet from above. The ani-
mal should have a definite waist behind the
ribs. lf the waist is extreme, or again, bony
prominences are visible, the animal is too
thin. If there is no waist, or worse yet, the
area between the ribs and hips is wider than
the hips or ribs, the dog or cat is grossly
overweight.
Fifth, look at the pet from the side. Dogs and
cats should have an abdominal tuck, i.e.,
the area behind the ribs should be smaller
in diameter than the chest. This can vary a
lot between breeds. Irish Setters and Grey-
hounds, for instance, appear to have a much
more distinct abdominal tuck, since they
are so deep-chested. An animal who is too
thin will have a very severe abdominal tuck.
Overweight animals will have no abdominal
tuck.
overweight & obese Dogs
Holly Frisby, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
VeRY tHIn
Body Score: 1
tHIn
Body Score: 3
IDeAL
Body Score: 5
OVeRWeIGHt
Body Score: 7
OBeSe
Body Score: 9
ANimAl hospitAls