Rabbit Body Condition Score (BCS): A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Keeping your rabbit at a healthy weight helps their joints, digestion, grooming, and overall lifespan. Because rabbits hide illness, a quick monthly rabbit body condition score (BCS) check can catch problems early.
What is a Rabbit Body Condition Score (Rabbit BCS)?
A rabbit BCS is a hands-on check of your rabbit’s fat and muscle on a 1–5 scale:
- 1 = Very underweight
- 2 = Underweight
- 3 = Ideal
- 4 = Overweight
- 5 = Obese
Fur can be misleading—always feel, don’t just look. You can download UK Pet Food’s Body Condition Score Chart here.
How to Check Rabbit BCS (Takes 3–5 minutes)
Before you start:
- Choose a calm time and use a non-slip surface where they can’t fall or get injured.
- Keep sessions short and gentle; offer a small treat or a head rub.
1. Feel the ribs
- Run your fingertips along both sides of the chest.
- Too thin: Ribs feel sharp.
- Ideal: You can feel ribs easily with light pressure and a thin padding.
- Overweight: You need firm pressure to feel ribs (or can’t feel them).
2. Check the spine and hips
- Glide fingers along the spine and over hip bones.
- Too thin: Spine/hips are sharp and ridged.
- Ideal: You can feel them, but they’re softly rounded.
- Overweight: Hard to feel under padding.
3. Look at the waist and belly
- From above: Is there a gentle waist behind the ribs?
- From the side: Is the belly neat, not sagging?
- Ideal: Slight waist and tidy belly line.
- Overweight: No waist; belly rounded or sagging.
- Underweight: Deep tuck, hollow look.
4. Check for fat pads and dewlap
- Normal: Small soft dewlap (common in adult females).
- Overweight signs: Pads over shoulders/back, folds at flanks/groin, large heavy dewlap
5. Watch movement and grooming
- Ideal: Jumps and grooms easily.
- Overweight: Reluctant to jump, breathes heavier, can’t clean rear.
- Underweight: Low energy, feels bony, seeks warmth.
6. Assign a rabbit body condition score (pick the closest)
- 1 Very underweight | 2 Thin | 3 Ideal | 4 Overweight | 5 Obese
7. Record your rabbit body condition score
- Note date, score, and any diet/exercise changes.
- Take a quick photo from above and side. Recheck monthly.
Why Ideal Rabbit BCS Matters
- Gut health: Too heavy = less movement and grooming (risk of stasis, flystrike). Too thin can signal dental or GI issues.
- Joints/spine: Extra weight strains; too little muscle = poor support.
- Dental clues: Unexpected weight loss often means dental pain.
- Grooming/hygiene: Overweight rabbits can’t reach their rear and eat their caecotrophs.
- Longer, happier life at BCS 3.
Seasons and BCS
- Rabbits use more energy to stay warm, especially outdoors.
- Exercise may drop in bad weather.
- Thick coats hide changes – hands-on checks matter most.
Do this:
- Unlimited high-quality Timothy hay.
- Dry, draft-free housing with deep bedding.
- Daily indoor play if outdoor time is limited.
- Weigh weekly if you’ve changed diet/housing.
Spring/Autumn Body Condition Score
- Moulting can fool the eye. Rely on feel, not fur.
- Adjust playtime with changing daylight.
- Heat can reduce appetite and movement.
- Provide cool zones and fresh water. Don’t overcompensate with extra nuggets.
What to Do Based on the Rabbit Body Condition Score
If underweight (rabbit BCS: 1–2)
- See a rabbit-savvy vet to rule out dental/medical issues.
- Unlimited hay; measured high-fibre nuggets (increase gradually to the high end of the recommended range).
- A small handful of suitable leafy greens daily.
- A daily healthy treat.
- Weigh weekly until steady gains.
If ideal rabbit weight (rabbit BCS: 3)
- Keep doing what works: unlimited hay, a daily handful of leafy greens, measured nuggets.
- Occasional healthy treats. Keep regular exercise and monthly checks.
If overweight rabbit/obese rabbit (rabbit BCS 4–5)
- Gradually reduce your rabbit’s nugget portion to the lower end of the recommended range, or gradually switch to nuggets that are less dense.
- Focus on hay and reduce leafy greens; always avoid sugary fruits/starchy veg/unhealthy treats.
- Encourage movement: scatter-feed, multiple hay stations, tunnels/levels.
- Recheck every 2–4 weeks for slow, steady loss. Always avoid crash diets – sudden changes can cause GI stasis.
- Seek veterinary advice if mobility is poor or weight won’t budge. Mobility supplements can be useful.
Common Mistakes Assessing Rabbit BCS
- Trusting fluffy fur – always feel your rabbit carefully.
- Changing food too fast – always adjust slowly.
- Too many treats – use herbs or healthy treats sparingly.
- Skipping the vet – unexplained changes must be assessed.
Your Monthly Rabbit BCS Routine (Checklist)
- Feel ribs, spine, hips.
- Look at waist and belly line.
- Note movement, grooming, breathing.
- Assign a score and write it down.
- Weigh your rabbit for trends.
When to See a Vet
- Sudden or unexplained weight change.
- Rabbit BCS ≤ 2 or ≥ 4 that doesn’t improve with careful changes.
- Dental health signs: drooling, dropping food, choosing only soft foods.
- Low poop output, lethargy, or bloating (possible GI stasis – urgent).
