What is a Body Condition Score for dogs?

Body Condition Score (BCS) is a visual and tactile assessment tool that evaluates your dog's body fat using a 1-9 scale. A score of 1-3 indicates underweight, 4-5 is ideal, and 6-9 is overweight to obese.

How do I determine my dog's Body Condition Score?

You can assess your dog's BCS by feeling their ribs, spine, and hip bones, and observing their waist and abdominal area. Use our detailed BCS guide in the calculator to match your dog's condition.

What is a healthy BMI for a dog?

A healthy BMI for dogs typically ranges from 18-25, though this can vary significantly by breed and body type. The Body Condition Score is often more reliable than BMI alone for assessing dog health.

What should I do if my dog is overweight?

If your dog is overweight (BCS 6-9), consult your veterinarian for a weight loss plan. They may recommend a calorie-restricted diet and increased exercise. Use our Dog Nutrition Calculator to determine appropriate calorie intake.

What should I do if my dog is underweight?

If your dog is underweight (BCS 1-3), consult your veterinarian immediately. Underweight dogs may have underlying health issues that need to be addressed. A veterinarian can help create a safe weight gain plan.

Is my dog overweight?

You can determine if your dog is overweight by using our Dog BMI Calculator, which assesses Body Condition Score (BCS). Dogs with a BCS of 6-9 are considered overweight to obese. Signs include difficulty feeling ribs, no visible waist, and excessive abdominal fat. Consult your veterinarian for a professional assessment.

How do I know if my dog is obese?

Dogs with a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 8-9 are considered obese. Obese dogs have ribs that cannot be felt under heavy fat, no visible waist, very large abdominal fat pads, and fat deposits on the back and base of tail. Use our Dog BMI Calculator to assess your dog's condition and consult your veterinarian for a weight management plan.

How To Use

This tool helps assess your dog's body condition and calculate an estimated BMI based on their Body Condition Score (BCS).

Note: BMI is calculated from your BCS assessment, not from weight. BCS is the primary and more accurate assessment tool for pets. Weight is collected for reference and validation purposes only.

The Body Condition Score uses a 1-9 scale where 4-5 is ideal. Simply fill out the fields and click Calculate to get started.

Quick Steps

1 Enter your Dog's Weight in pounds.
2 Select your Dog's Body Condition Score based on the descriptions below.
3 Click the Calculate button to see the BMI assessment and recommendations.

Dog BMI Calculator

Fill Out The Fields Below

Dog Body Condition Score Guide

BCS	Description
1 - Emaciated	Ribs, spine, and hip bones are highly visible. No body fat. Severe abdominal tuck.
2 - Very Thin	Ribs, spine, and hip bones are easily visible. Minimal body fat. Obvious abdominal tuck.
3 - Thin	Ribs are easily visible. Spine and hip bones are prominent. Clear waist and abdominal tuck.
4 - Underweight	Ribs are easily felt with minimal fat covering. Waist is easily visible. Abdominal tuck present.
5 - Ideal	Ribs are easily felt but not visible. Waist is visible behind ribs. Minimal abdominal fat.
6 - Overweight	Ribs are difficult to feel under fat. Waist is barely visible or absent. Abdominal fat pad present.
7 - Heavy	Ribs are very difficult to feel under heavy fat layer. No waist. Large abdominal fat pad.
8 - Obese	Ribs cannot be felt under very heavy fat layer. No waist. Very large abdominal fat pad. Fat deposits on back and base of tail.
9 - Severely Obese	Massive fat deposits over entire body. Ribs completely obscured. No waist. Extremely large abdominal fat pad.