Is Your Cat Too Skinny, Overweight, or Just Right?

Have you ever wondered if your cat is truly at a healthy weight? It’s not just about the number on the scale — it’s about body shape and fat distribution. Veterinarians use the Body Condition Score (BCS) to evaluate a cat’s weight and physical condition in a more reliable way. 

What is BCS?

The Body Condition Score is a standardized 9-point scale that assesses whether a cat is:

• Too thin (1–3)

• Ideal (4–5)

• Overweight/Obese (6–9)

Each score is determined by examining how easily ribs and spine can be felt, whether a waist is visible, and how much abdominal fat is present.

The illustrated chart below, developed by WSAVA, is one of the most widely used tools in veterinary medicine — and it's something you can use at home too.

How to Use the BCS Chart

This chart helps both vets and pet parents assess a cat’s health by checking:

• Ribs: Can you feel them? See them?

• Waist: Can you observe a narrowing behind the ribs from above?

• Belly: Is there a tummy tuck from the side? Or sagging fat?

Look at the images from 1 through 9 and compare them with your cat. Feel along the ribs and back gently.

🟢 Ideal (BCS 4–5)

• Ribs easily felt with a slight fat covering

• Waist clearly visible when viewed from above

• Slight abdominal tuck from the side

• Minimal belly fat pad

Goal range for most indoor cats. Balanced energy, muscle, and body fat.

🔴 Too Thin (BCS 1–3)

• Visible ribs, spine, hip bones

• Minimal or no body fat

• Tucked or sunken abdomen

May signal malnutrition, parasites, chronic illness, or high metabolism.

🔴 Too Heavy (BCS 6–9)

• Ribs hard or impossible to feel

• Waist disappears, back looks flat or rounded

• Belly is round or hangs low

• Fat pads noticeable, especially under belly and back legs

Associated risks: diabetes, joint issues and arthritis, fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis), lower quality and length of life

How to Adjust Based on BCS

If your cat is underweight (1–3):

• Switch to a high-calorie, high-protein diet

• Deworm and check for chronic illness

• Increase feeding frequency

If your cat is overweight/obese (6–9):

• Transition to vet-recommended weight loss food

• Feed set portions – avoid free feeding

• Add daily play time and vertical climbing opportunities
  
  

⚠️ Important: Cats must lose weight gradually — sudden fat loss can cause fatal liver disease.

At Mayo Vet Care...

We evaluate your cat’s Body Condition Score during every physical exam. It helps us spot trends early, prevent disease, and tailor personalized care plans.

If you're unsure where your cat falls on the chart, bring them in — we'll walk you through it, and even teach you how to check BCS at home.