Pet Healthy Weight Calculator
Veterinary-grade tool to estimate ideal weight for 200+ dog and cat breeds. Includes Body Condition Score (BCS) adjustment logic.
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About
Obesity is the leading preventable disease in domestic pets, shortening life expectancy by up to 2.5 years. This calculator combines Breed Standards (AKC/FCI data) with a visual Body Condition Score (BCS) assessment to determine if your pet is within a healthy range.
Unlike simple tables, this tool adjusts the target expectation. If a breed standard says 30kg, but your dog is visually a 9/9 on the obesity scale, the immediate goal isn't the breed standard - it's a safe percentage reduction. We use the veterinary protocol of calculating ideal weight based on current weight and BCS to provide a realistic roadmap.
Formulas
To calculate the precise Ideal Body Weight (IBW) from a current overweight state, we use the BCS adjustment formula widely used in veterinary practice.
BCS Adjustment Formula:
IBW ≈ CurrentWeight × 100100 + (BCS − 5) × 10This formula implies that for every 1 point increase in BCS above 5, the pet is approximately 10% overweight.
Reference Data
| BCS (1-9) | Visual Description | Body Fat % | Adjustment Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 (Under) | Ribs highly visible, no fat cover. | < 5-15% | +10-20% |
| 4-5 (Ideal) | Ribs palpable, waist observable. | 15-25% | Maintain |
| 6-7 (Over) | Ribs palpable with pressure, heavy waist. | 26-35% | −10-15% |
| 8-9 (Obese) | Ribs not palpable, distended abdomen. | > 35% | −20+% |