Intoduction

• Body condition scores (BCS) provide a subjective semi-quantitative method of evaluating body fat and lean body tissue.
• Scoring systems for dogs and cats have been developed using systems of one to five, and of one to nine, with lower numbers reflecting a thinner condition and higher numbers being used for fatter animals.
• The 1-5 system is less comprehensive and centers on "3" as the perfect score.
• The 1-9 system has been refined and centers on "5" as the ideal score.

The 9 point scoring system

The scores

Use of system

Common causes for low scores

Common causes for high scores

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Laflamme D P (1997) Development and Validation of a Body Condition Score System for Dogs. Canine Practice 22 (4), 10-15 AGRIS FAO.
• LaFlamme D P, Schmidt D A & Deshkmukh A (1995) A Correlation of Body Fat in Cats Using Body Condition Scoring or DEXA. J Vet Int Med 9, 214.
• LaFlamme D P, Kealy R D & Schmidt D A (1994) Estimation of Body Fat by Body Condition Score. J Vet Int Med 8, 154A.

Other sources of information

• Dottie LaFlamme DVM, PhD, DACVN, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, 2 Research North, Checkerboard Square, St Louis, Missouri 63164, USA.