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My pet

Is my cat the right weight?

Four questions, with your cat in front of you: the 9-point body condition score vets use.

Not a cat? Pick your pet

Run your hands along the ribs
Look from above: the waist behind the ribs
Look from the side: the belly
Fat on the lower back and the base of the tail

Every pet is different. Before changing food, weight or care, talk to your vet.

The 9-point scale

Vets use a body condition score from 1 to 9, from the WSAVA charts (based on Laflamme’s studies): 1–3 too thin, 4–5 ideal, 6–7 overweight, 8–9 obese. It looks at what you can feel and see (ribs, waist, belly, fat), so it works for every breed and for mixed breeds too.

We don’t calculate a target weight: your vet sets it, together with how much food to cut.

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