Body condition is a term used to describe the physical SHAPE and health of an animal. It is often used to assess the overall health of livestock, pets, and wild animals. Body condition is determined by examining the animal's body SHAPE, fat deposits, muscle mass, and other physical characteristics. A score of 5 on a scale of 1-9 is considered ideal for most animals, indicating that the animal is in good health and has an appropriate amount of fat and muscle.