Waltham S.H.A.P.E. Body Condition Guides
S.H.A.P.E. (Size, Health and Physical Evaluation) is a new flow-diagram based
system, which uses similar visual and palpable characteristics as existing
scoring systems.
It is a simple reliable tool that can be used by any owner to assess the body
condition of their dog.
To use the guide follow the questions whilst examining your pet. Once you have
completed the chart by answering the questions you will finish with a
S.H.A.P.E. score. This will be a letter between A-G.
Once you have your letter refer to the table below and read the description
that correlates with your S.H.A.P.E. score and follow the advice given.
Waltham S.H.A.P.E.™ Guide for Dogs
S.H.A.P.E. TM Score
|
Description
|
| A |
Extremely Thin
Your dog has a very small amount or no total body fat.
Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice promptly. |
| B |
Thin
Your dog has only a small amount of total body fat.
Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice to ensure your dog is offered the
appropriate amount of food. Reassess using the S.H.A.P.E. TM chart every 2
weeks. |
| C |
Lean
Your dog is at the low end of the ideal range with less than normal body
fat.
Recommendation: Increase food offered by a small amount. Monitor monthly
using the S.H.A.P.E. TM chart and seek veterinary advice if no change. |
| D |
Ideal
Your dog has an ideal amount of total body fat.
Recommendation: Monitor monthly to ensure your dog remains in this
category and have him/her checked by the veterinarian at your next visit.
|
| E |
Mildly Overweight
Your dog is at the upper end of the ideal range with a small amount of
excess body fat.
Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice to ensure your dog is offered the
appropriate amount of food and consider increasing activity levels. Avoid
excessive treats and monitor monthly using the S.H.A.P.E. TM chart. |
| F |
Moderately Overweight
Your dog has an excess of total body fat.
Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice to implement safely an appropriate
weight loss plan including increasing activity levels.
Reassess using the S.H.A.P.E. TM chart every 2 weeks. |
| G |
Severely Overweight
Your pet has a large amount of excess total body fat that is affecting its
health and well being.
Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice promptly to introduce a weight
loss plan to reduce your dog's weight, increase activity levels and improve
health. |
NB: Some breeds and different life-stages may have different
ideal S.H.A.P.E. TM scores.
Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure. |
