Rabbit Body Condition Score Chart (BCS)

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Check Your Rabbit’s Body Condition

A rabbit body condition score is a hands-on assessment of fat and muscle coverage, helping determine whether a rabbit is underweight, overweight, or at an ideal body condition. Because coat density and breed conformation vary, gentle palpation is essential.

With light pressure, feel over the ribs just behind the elbows and along the lumbar spine and pelvis. The back should feel smooth without sharp bony points. Check the abdomen and dewlap (especially in adult females) for excess fat pads, and assess the hindquarters/thighs for muscle tone.

What an Ideal Body Condition Looks Like: Ribs are easy to feel with a gentle touch but are not prominent. The lumbar spine and pelvis are palpable with a smooth, moderate fat cover (no sharp edges). The abdomen is firm without obvious fat pads, and any dewlap is proportionate to breed and sex, not large or pendulous. Hindquarters feel muscular, not soft or bulky with fat.

  • Too thin: sharp ribs and spine, prominent pelvis, minimal fat cover, reduced hindquarter muscle
  • Ideal: ribs easily felt, smooth lumbar, pelvis rounded to touch, firm abdomen, proportionate dewlap
  • Overweight/Obese: ribs difficult to feel, broad/flat back with fat padding, large dewlap or abdominal fat pads, soft bulky hindquarters
Key Areas to Evaluate
  • Ribs (behind elbows)
  • Lumbar spine (lower back)
  • Pelvis/hips
  • Abdomen & fat pads
  • Dewlap (breed/sex dependent)
  • Hindquarter

At-Home Pet Body Condition Score (BCS) Assessment: Check if Your Rabbit Has a Healthy Body Condition

Routine body condition assessments are an important way to monitor your rabbit’s health, guide feeding decisions, and catch early signs of weight-related problems. This hands-on check only takes a few minutes and can help you maintain your rabbit's ideal body condition over time.

1. Position the Rabbit Comfortably

  • Place your rabbit on a solid, non-slip surface, facing away from you.

  • Choose a quiet, calm space free from loud noises or sudden movements.

  • Allow nervous rabbits time to settle. Signs of stress include thumping, rapid breathing, or struggling.

  • Never force or restrain your rabbit tightly, as this can cause fear or injury.

2. Check the Ribs

  • Gently run your hands along both sides of your rabbit’s chest.

  • In an ideal condition, ribs should be easily felt but not seen.

  • If ribs feel sharp or prominent → your rabbit may be underweight.

  • If ribs are hard to feel or buried in fat → your rabbit may be overweight or have obesity.

3. Feel the Spine and Back

  • Place your hands along the spine, from shoulders to hips.

  • In a healthy rabbit, the spine is palpable but not sharp.

  • A spine that feels bony may indicate underweight, while one that is hard to feel may suggest excess fat.

4. Assess the Hips and Hindquarters

  • Gently palpate the hips and upper back legs.

  • Hip bones should be detectable but not protruding.

  • Sharp, visible bones → underweight.

  • Rounded, fat-padded hips → overweight or obese.

5. Examine the Dewlap (females)

  • The dewlap, a fold of skin under the chin, should be present in many female rabbits but not excessively large.

  • A small to moderate dewlap is normal.

  • A large, thick, or sagging dewlap may suggest excess fat.

  • Note: Dewlap size varies by breed and age.

6. Check Belly and Abdominal Fat

  • Feel the underside of the belly.

  • A healthy rabbit will have a smooth, firm abdomen.

  • Sagging or lumpy fat along the belly indicates excess adiposity.

7. Observe Body Shape from Above and Side

  • From above: Look for a slight waist taper behind the ribs.

  • From the side: Rabbits in ideal condition have a balanced profile, not excessively rounded.

  • Compact breeds (e.g., Holland Lops, Flemish Giants) may have less visible taper due to body type and fur density.

Make it a habit

Regularly assessing these key areas can help determine where the rabbit falls on the 1–9 BCS scale. Routine monthly body condition assessments, paired with proper diet, exercise, and veterinary care, can help your rabbit stay healthy.