A Visual Guide to Obesity

(reference http://www.iams.com.au/system-LS-staticpages-id-1208089383475.html)

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Cat Body Condition Chart

Thin Catthin cat
  • Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible
  • Thin neck and narrow waist
  • Obvious abdominal tuck
  • No fat in flank folds, folds often absent
Underweight Catunderweight cat
  • Backbone and ribs easily palpable
  • Minimal fat covering
  • Minimal waist when viewed from above
  • Slightly tucked abdomen
Ideal Catideal cat
  • Ribs palpable, but not visible
  • Slight waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above
  • Abdomen tucked up, flank fold present
Overweight Catobese cat
  • Slight increase in fat over ribs, but still easily palpable
  • Abdomen slightly rounded, flanks concave
  • Flank folds hang down with moderate amount of fat—jiggle noted when walking
Obese Catobese cat
  • Ribs and backbone not easily palpable under a heavy fat covering
  • Abdomen rounded; waist barely visible to absent
  • Prominent flank folds which sway from side to side when walking

Dog Body Condition Chart
Thin Dog thin dog
  • Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible
  • No palpable fat
  • Obvious waist and abdominal tuck
  • Prominent pelvic bones
Underweight Dog underweight dog
  • Ribs easily palpable
  • Minimal fat covering
  • Waist is easily noted when viewed from above
  • Abdominal tuck evident
Ideal Dog ideal dog
  • Ribs palpable, but not visible
  • Slight waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above
  • Abdomen tucked up, flank fold present
Overweight Dog overweight dog
  • Slight increase in fat over ribs, but still easily palpable
  • Abdomen slightly rounded, flanks concave
  • Flank folds hang down with moderate amount of fat—jiggle noted when walking
Obese Dog obese dog
  • Ribs and backbone not easily palpable under a heavy fat covering
  • Abdomen rounded; waist barely visible to absent
  • Prominent flank folds which sway from side to side when walking