Is my dog the right weight?
Four questions, with your dog in front of you: the 9-point body condition score vets use.
Your pet’s details are filled in from its page.
Every pet is different. Before changing food, weight or care, talk to your vet.
The 9-point scale
Vets use a body condition score from 1 to 9, from the WSAVA charts (based on Laflamme’s studies): 1–3 too thin, 4–5 ideal, 6–7 overweight, 8–9 obese. It looks at what you can feel and see (ribs, waist, belly, fat), so it works for every breed and for mixed breeds too.
We don’t calculate a target weight: your vet sets it, together with how much food to cut.
Sources
- WSAVA, Global Nutrition Guidelines (checked on October 6, 2026)