How do I tell if my dog is too skinny?
Melba Hoppe
2025-07-29 21:39:10
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Your dog is too skinny if their body condition score is less than a 4 out of 9. They will be considered emaciated if they have a score of 1 out of 9. BCS scores of 2/9 and 3/9 are considered very thin and underweight, respectively. To determine your dog’s body condition score, first, look at your dog from above. Does their waist curve in, go straight across, or curve out? Next, look at your dog from the side. Does their abdomen tuck up, go straight across, or droop down? Are their ribs, spine, and hips easily visible or covered with a little or a lot of fat? Then, run your hands across your dog’s ribs, spine, and hips. Are bones easily felt right under the skin or are they covered by fat? Use your own hand as a guide. Make a fist and run a finger over your knuckles. This is what too little fat feels like.
Carmella Labadie
2025-07-29 21:25:50
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Tufts University suggests having either a veterinarian or a certified veterinary nutritionist check your dog's body condition score. This score offers an overall assessment of a dog's body fat, similar to the body mass index for humans. If they're at a healthy weight, your dog will have a body condition score of 4 or 5 on a scale from 1-9 (or a 3 on a scale from 1-5). Dogs with these scores appear lean, with a clearly visible waistline when viewed from above, and an abdomen that's tucked up and not even with or pooching past the rib cage. You should be able to feel their ribs beneath a thin layer of fat. If you feel that your dog is too thin, you should consult your veterinarian. They will assess your dog's body condition to either confirm your suspicions or put your mind at ease.
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