Cat body condition score
A visual and hands-on guide, based on the WSAVA 9-point scale, to check whether your cat is at a healthy weight.
Score 1–3 — Under-ideal (too thin)
- Ribs: very easy to feel with little or no fat over them, and visibly outlined on short-haired cats.
- From above: an exaggerated, sharply narrowed waist behind the ribs.
- From the side: a pronounced upward tummy tuck and no belly fat pad. At the extreme, the spine and hip bones stand out.
Score 4–5 — Ideal
- Ribs: easily felt through only a thin, slight layer of fat.
- From above: a clear, well-proportioned waist is visible behind the ribs.
- From the side: a slight tummy tuck with minimal or no belly fat pad. Score 5 is the target weight.
Score 6–7 — Over-ideal (overweight)
- Ribs: harder to feel under a moderate fat layer; by score 7 it takes firm pressure to find them.
- From above: the waist is becoming hard to see.
- From the side: the tummy tuck is fading, with a noticeable belly fat pad and obvious rounding.
Score 8–9 — Obese
- Ribs: cannot be felt under a heavy, thick layer of fat.
- From above: no waist at all; the body looks rounded and widened.
- From the side: a distended belly with a prominent, sagging fat pad; extra fat over the lower back, and (by 9) the face and limbs.
The 3-step home check
1. The rib test (feel)
Run both hands over the rib cage. At an ideal weight the ribs feel like the bones on the back of your hand — present under a thin layer, not sharp. As sharp as your knuckles = too thin; can’t find them (like feeling your palm) = too much fat.
2. Look from above
Stand over your cat while it’s standing and look straight down. Look for a gentle waist that curves inward behind the ribs. A straight or bulging outline suggests overweight; a very sharply pinched-in waist suggests underweight.
3. Look from the side
View your cat side-on at its level. There should be a slight upward tuck of the belly behind the rib cage. A belly that hangs low or a swinging fat pad signals excess weight; a deep, sunken tuck signals too thin.
If your cat's ideal weight seems off, the calorie calculator can help you plan a portion around their target weight rather than their current one.
A visual guide to help you notice changes, not a diagnosis. Your veterinarian can confirm your cat’s body condition and healthy target weight.