⚖️ Body Condition Score (BCS)
The BCS is a 1-9 scale used by veterinarians worldwide. Feel your cat's ribs, look at their waist from above, and check their belly profile from the side. Select the score that best matches your cat.
🧮 Weight Assessment
📊 Ideal Weight by Breed
These are general guidelines. Individual cats vary. Your vet can determine your cat's ideal weight based on their frame size.
| Breed | Male (kg) | Female (kg) | Frame |
|---|
💪 Weight Management Tips
Measure Food Portions
Use a kitchen scale or measuring cup. "Eyeballing" portions is the #1 cause of overfeeding. Follow package guidelines based on ideal (not current) weight.
15-30 Min Play Daily
Interactive play burns calories and builds muscle. Wand toys mimic prey and get even lazy cats moving. Play before meals to mimic hunt-catch-eat cycle.
Puzzle Feeders
Slow down eating, provide mental stimulation, and add physical activity to meals. Start with easy puzzles and increase difficulty gradually.
No Free Feeding
Scheduled meals (2x/day for adults) let you control portions and monitor appetite changes. Remove uneaten food after 30 minutes.
More Wet Food
Wet food has fewer calories per volume than dry kibble. Cats feel fuller on wet food. It also improves hydration — great for Calgary's dry climate.
Cut Treats to 10%
Treats should be less than 10% of daily calories. One Temptations treat is ~2 kcal. For a 4kg cat, that's max 12-15 treats/day.
🏥 Get a Professional Assessment
A Calgary vet can determine your cat's exact ideal weight and create a safe weight management plan.