What Your Pet’s Body Shape Is Telling You About Their Health

Many pets look perfectly normal to their owners, yet they may be quietly carrying extra weight or, less commonly, losing condition. Because these changes often happen gradually, they are easy to miss. Your pet’s body shape can give you valuable clues about their health long before obvious problems appear. Learning what to look for can help you act early and keep your pet feeling their best.

Why body shape matters more than the number on the scales

The number on the scales does not tell the full story. Two pets can weigh the same but have very different body compositions. Breed, age, muscle mass and frame size all play a role. This is why vets and nurses focus on body shape rather than weight alone.

Carrying extra condition can increase the risk of:

• Joint and mobility issues
• Diabetes and hormonal disease
• Reduced stamina and quality of life

Being underweight can also signal underlying illness or nutritional issues.

What is Body Condition Scoring?

Body Condition Scoring, often called BCS, is a simple and reliable way to assess whether a pet is underweight, ideal or overweight. It uses visual checks and gentle hands-on assessment rather than guesswork.

When we assess body condition, we look at:

• How easily the ribs can be felt
• Whether there is a visible waist when viewed from above
• The presence of an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side

Reading your pet’s body shape at home

While an objective check is always best, there are some signs owners can look for at home.

Underweight

• Ribs, hips or spine very visible
• Little muscle over the back or hind legs
• Low energy or poor coat quality

Ideal body shape

• Ribs easy to feel but not clearly visible
• Defined waist when viewed from above
• Gentle tuck behind the ribcage

Overweight

• Ribs difficult or impossible to feel
• No visible waist
• Rounded abdomen or fat deposits around the neck or tail base

If you’re unsure, we’re here to help

If you have started to notice changes in your pet’s body shape or you are simply not sure what is normal, you do not have to work it out on your own. We offer complimentary nurse weight checks to help take the guesswork out of it.

These quick, stress free visits allow our nurses to:

• Assess your pet’s body condition score objectively
• Track subtle changes over time
• Reassure you if your pet is on track or guide you early if adjustments are needed

They are a great way to check in on your pet’s health, especially if you have concerns but are not sure whether they warrant a full vet visit.

Let your pet’s body shape guide you

Your pet’s body shape is one of the simplest yet most powerful indicators of their overall health. Small changes can signal bigger issues, but they can also be addressed early with the right support.

If you are concerned about your pet’s body shape, or just want peace of mind, our complimentary nurse weight checks are a great place to start. Sometimes all it takes is a quick check and a conversation to help your pet stay happy, comfortable and healthy for years to come.