Too Thin
1 Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences evident from a
distance. No discernible body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.
2 Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible. No palpable fat. Some evidence
of other bony prominence. Minimal loss of muscle mass.
3 Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae
visible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck
Ideal
4 Ribs easily palpable, with minimal fat covering. Waist easily noted, viewed from above.
Abdominal tuck evident.
5 Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Waist observed behind ribs when viewed
from above. Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side.
Too Heavy
6 Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering. Waist is discernible viewed from above
but is not prominent. Abdominal tuck apparent.
7 Ribs palpable with difficulty; heavy fat cover. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area
and base of tail. Waist absent or barely visible. Abdominal tuck may be present.
8 Ribs not palpable under very heavy fat cover, or palpable only with significant
pressure. Heavy fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent. No
abdominal tuck. Obvious abdominal distension may be present.
9 Massive fat deposits over thorax, spine and base of tail. Waist and abdominal tuck
absent. Fat deposits on neck and limbs. Obvious abdominal distention.
Body Condition System
Too Thin
1 Ribs visible on shorthaired cats; no palpable fat; severe abdominal tuck; lumbar
vertebrae and wings of ilia easily palpated.
2 Ribs easily visible on shorthaired cats; lumbar vertebrae obvious with minimal muscle
mass; pronounced abdominal tuck; no palpable fat.
3 Ribs easily palpable with minimal fat covering; lumbar vertebrae obvious; obvious
waist behind ribs; minimal abdominal fat.
4 Ribs palpable with minimal fat covering; noticeable waist behind ribs; slight abdominal
tuck; abdominal fat pad absent.
Ideal
5 Well-proportioned; observe waist behind ribs; ribs palpable with slight fat covering;
abdominal fat pad minimal.
Too Heavy
6 Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering; waist and abdominal fat pad
distinguishable but not obvious; abdominal tuck absent.
7 Ribs not easily palpated with moderate fat covering; waist poorly discernible; obvious
rounding of abdomen; moderate abdominal fat pad.
8 Ribs not palpable with excess fat covering; waist absent; obvious rounding of
abdomen with prominent abdominal fat pad; fat deposits present over lumbar area.
9 Ribs not palpable under heavy fat cover; heavy fat deposits over lumbar area, face
and limbs; distention of abdomen with no waist; extensive abdominal fat deposits.