Dr. Brian Hayes
Fellow, Academy of Feline Medicine

1705 First Avenue Mini-mall
(across from Eastdale Plaza)
(319) 351-2252

 

Is My Cat Too Fat?

Obesity is the most common disease in cats: nearly 50% of the feline population has the disease. To determine if your cat is overweight or obese, choose which score below most closely matches your cat. (Courtesy of Hill's Pet Nutrition)


 

 

 

 

 

1 (Very Thin)
Ribs: Easily felt with no fat cover
Tail Base: Bones are raised, no fat cover
Side View: Severe abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Accentuated hourglass shape

 

 

2 (Underweight)
Ribs: Easily felt with little fat cover
Tail Base: Bones are raised with slight fat cover
Side View: Abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Marked hourglass shape

 

 

3 (Ideal)
Ribs: Easily felt with slight fat cover
Tail Base: Smooth contour with slight fat cover
Side View: Abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Well-proportioned waist

 

 

 

4 (Overweight)
Ribs: Difficult to feel under moderate fat cover
Tail Base: Some thickening, bones palpable under moderate fat cover
Side View: No abdominal tuck
Overhead View: Back is slightly broadened at waist

 

5 (Obese)
Ribs: Difficult to feel under thick fat cover
Tail Base: Thickened and difficult to feel under thick fat cover
Side View: No waist, fat hangs from abdomen
Overhead View: Back is markedly broadened

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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