Keeping a happy and healthy dog takes some attention and a certain responsibility from you as a pet owner. First and foremost, it is important that you follow the feeding recommendations and give the right amount of food based on your dog's weight and activity level. If you are unsure how much dog food to give your dog, take a look at our feeding recommendation for adult dogs and puppies, which is based on guidelines from FEDIAF.
It is also important to regularly keep an eye on your dog's weight and body condition. However, determining whether your dog is overweight, underweight or in ideal condition can be a bit tricky.
Body Condition Score
WSAVA, The World Small Animal Veterinary Association, has developed the Body Condition Score to help dog owners check the size and shape of their four-legged friends and get a better understanding of their dog's condition. The scale is graded from 1 to 9, where 1 is severely underweight and 9 severe obesity. To assess your dog on the scale:
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Start by looking at your dog's body shape both from above and from the side. Regardless of breed, you should be able to see a waist on your dog from both angles. This can of course be harder with fluffy breeds that have long or thick fur.
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Next, feel along your dog's body from front to back with one hand on each side. When you feel with your fingers over your dog's ribs, you should be able to feel them with a light touch, without having to "dig in" with your fingers.
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If you then feel further back, you should clearly feel the waist narrow where the ribcage ends, and then widen again over the hips. You should be able to feel the hips, but they should not be too sharp.
Take a look at the tables below, and if you have further questions or concerns about your dog's health, we recommend that you book an appointment at your local veterinary clinic.
What Body Condition Score does your dog have?
Where did your dog land on the scale?
Body Condition Score 1-3
Your dog is below ideal weight. If your dog falls into any of these categories despite you giving it enough nutrition and care, we recommend that you book an appointment at your veterinary clinic to investigate possible causes of your dog's weight loss.
Body Condition Score 4-5
Perfect, your dog is in ideal body condition! That means you are giving your dog the right conditions when it comes to nutrition and diet to stay a happy and healthy dog throughout life.
Body Condition Score 6-9
Your dog is overweight. If your dog falls into any of these categories, it is recommended that it loses weight to reduce the risk of health problems. If your dog falls into the upper categories (BCS 8-9), a veterinary visit is recommended to get professional help with your dog's weight loss, or to investigate the causes of the excess weight.
If you want to learn more about excess weight and health in dogs, or need advice and tips on feeding and exercise for your dog, you are welcome to read more in our detailed article about Excess weight in dogs.