CAT
1. Emaciated
Ribs obvious on short haired cats. Pelvic bones and other bony structures easily palpated. Accentuated concave abdominal tuck. Accentuated, severe hourglass shape to waist. No discernable body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.
2. Thin
Ribs easily palpable with little fat cover. Lumbar (back) vertebrae obvious. Minimal abdominal fat. Marked hourglass shape to waist.
3. Optimal
Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and other bony structures easily palpable with slight fat cover. Concave abdominal tuck. Smooth hourglass shape to waist. Abdominal fat pad minimal.
4. Fat
Ribs are difficult to palpate. Pelvic bones are palpable with moderate tissue cover. Tail base has fat deposition with moderate soft tissue cover. Concave tuck is decreased to absent. Loss of hourglass shape to waist with back slightly broadened. Moderate abdominal fat pad.
5. Obese
Ribs are very difficult to impossible to palpate. Heavy fat deposits on back, face and limbs. Abdomen is distended with extensive abdominal fat deposits. Back is markedly broadened.
Images Courtesy of Ralston Purina Company
