Monitoring your cat’s body condition is crucial for ensuring their overall health and well-being. The Waggle Body Condition System (BCS) provides a clear framework to help cat owners assess their pet's physical state, ensuring they are neither too thin nor too heavy.

Understanding the Waggle Body Condition System for Cats

The Waggle BCS for cats is a 9-point scale used to determine a cat's body condition:

- Too Thin: Scores 1 to 3
- Ideal: Scores 4 to 5
- Too Heavy: Scores 6 to 9

Each score is based on the visibility and palpability of the ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones, and fat deposits, as well as the cat's overall shape.

Body Condition Scores Explained for Cats

Too Thin

1. Score 1
- Ribs visible on shorthaired cats.
- No palpable fat.
- Severe abdominal tuck.
- Lumbar vertebrae and wings of ilia easily palpated.

2. Score 2
- Ribs easily visible on shorthaired cats.
- Lumbar vertebrae obvious with minimal muscle mass.
- Pronounced abdominal tuck.
- No palpable fat.

Thin

3. Score 3
- Ribs easily palpable with minimal fat covering.
- Lumbar vertebrae obvious.
- Obvious waist behind ribs.
- Minimal abdominal fat.

Ideal

4. Score 4
- Ribs palpable with minimal fat covering.
- Noticeable waist behind ribs.
- Slight abdominal tuck.
- Abdominal fat pad absent.



5. Score 5
- Well-proportioned.
- Waist observed behind ribs.
- Ribs palpable with slight fat covering.
- Minimal abdominal fat pad.



Overweight



6. Score 6
- Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering.
- Waist and abdominal fat pad distinguishable but not obvious.
- Abdominal tuck absent.

7. Score 7
- Ribs not easily palpable with moderate fat covering.
- Waist poorly discernible.
- Obvious rounding of abdomen.
- Moderate abdominal fat pad.

Obese

8. Score 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. Score 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.

Maintaining Your Cat’s Ideal Body Condition

1. Regular Assessment
- Regularly check your cat’s body condition by feeling their ribs and observing their waist.
- Use the BCS to determine if your cat is too thin, ideal, or too heavy.

2. Adjusting Diet and Exercise
- Underweight Cats (BCS 1-3):
- Increase calorie intake.
- Consider high-calorie supplements.
- Consult your veterinarian for a suitable feeding plan.
- Ideal Weight Cats (BCS 4-5):
- Maintain a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Overweight Cats (BCS 6-9):
- Reduce calorie intake.
- Increase physical activity.
- Consult your veterinarian for a weight loss plan, which may include a special diet.

3. Regular Veterinary Check-ups
- Regular vet visits ensure that your cat's weight and overall health are monitored.
- Your vet can provide guidance and adjustments to your cat's diet and exercise regimen as needed.



Important Note: Carefully examine and match your cat's current body condition to the corresponding score on the Waggle Body Condition System to accurately determine your pet's body condition.