We love our cats no matter what. However, part of loving them well means we want them to be as healthy as possible. Cats who are overweight or obese may have significantly shorter lives by five to 10 years compared to felines at their ideal weight. While domestic cats average around 10 pounds, the target weight for your cat depends on their age, gender, breed, and any individual health conditions.
We’ll weigh in with how heavy your cat should be, including what to do if your cat needs to gain or lose a couple of pounds.
In the United States and the UK, overweight cats now outnumber healthy cats by a margin of 10%. More than one out of 10 felines are even considered obese. Our western lifestyle may be partially to blame — we tend to get busy with work, family, or binging on the latest season of our favorite show rather than playing with our cats to ensure that they get exercise. Additionally, it’s easy to put out food and not monitor how much our cats eat. Some common risk factors include:
It doesn’t take much for your cat to weigh more than they should. Cats are overweight when they weigh anywhere between 10-20% more than their recommended weight. For a nine pound cat, they wouldn’t even need to gain an entire extra pound to reach a problematic number.
Obesity occurs if your cat is 20% over their recommended weight. Approximately 15% of cats are classified as obese, and the numbers are rising.
Your vet can tell you if your cat is overweight by crunching the numbers and physically examining their condition. However, if you want a rough estimate, you can use the body condition score at home.
Always consult your vet before changing your cat’s diet. An underlying medical condition may be causing the changes in your cat’s physique and will need to be addressed.
A body condition score can help you determine if your cat is healthy. Most scores range from 1-5, with 3 as the normal number, or 1-10, with 5 as the ideal number.
If you can clearly see your cat’s ribs or spine while standing above them, they are underweight. Cats in a healthy range don’t have protruding ribs or stomachs. They have a slender hourglass figure with some lean muscle mass. An overweight cat has a round figure. You won’t be able to feel their ribs or see a defined waistline. Both underweight and overweight cats have poor energy levels.
It’s important not to mistake your cat’s primordial pouch for unnecessary fat. All felines possess this small baggy pouch hanging below their belly. The primordial pouch consists of a thin layer of skin and fat. It’s a helpful cushion for their internal organs and makes them more flexible. Dr. Erica Irish explains, “It’s extra skin with no major blood vessels, so if a predator gets them there, the cat can still escape and survive.”
If your vet determines that your cat is overweight, they’ll likely implement a multi-step plan to help them shed the extra ounces. that includes measures like
👉 You should never alter your cat’s meal plan without first consulting your vet. Reducing their portions can quickly result in malnourishment.
Cats are natural foodies more inclined to obesity than malnutrition — provided they have sufficient access to food. Pets are pampered in western countries, so it’s very common for cats to weigh more than they should. You should take action with your vet’s advice as soon as there’s an issue. Chronic obesity can result in devastating consequences such as:
Being underweight is a less common problem. You should first talk to your vet about what type of food and how much you’re feeding them. Some cats may require more calories than others, so the solution could be as simple as giving them more food. However, if your vet says they’re eating enough, being underweight is almost always caused by an underlying health issue such as:
Parasites. Tapeworms are especially common in kittens, but they can affect felines of any age. Young cats usually catch tapeworms through their mother’s milk, while adult cats can get them through accidentally ingesting fleas. It’s important to immediately treat worms, especially in kittens who may become malnourished and die without intervention. If you suspect your cat has worms, inspect their poop for any noodle-shaped pieces, which are worms. If you find worms, you should go to your vet for a dewormer. While you can buy one over-the-counter, it’s a good idea to ask your vet for advice because giving the incorrect dosage can prolong the problem.
Stress. Cats are sensitive creatures. You never know how much things will affect them, from moving to a new place to relocating their water bowl. If your cat isn’t feeling their best, they may respond by eating too much or too little, which can result in weight loss.
Dental problems. If your cat has a toothache, they may eat less, which can result in weight loss over time. Monitoring your cat’s eating habits and giving them meals on a regular schedule can let you know if they’re not feeling well. If your cat doesn’t eat anything after 24 hours, take them to the vet to make sure everything is alright.
Illness. Being underweight can be a sign of illness such as hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, cancer, or kidney disease. Before jumping to scary conclusions, you should take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
While being overweight is certainly a more common issue than not weighing enough, both are equally serious issues. A feline at a healthy cat weight has higher energy levels and lower risks of some chronic diseases. Cats who are underweight have health risks that can be debilitating and shorten their life expectancy.
Using a body condition score should help you know whether you should worry about your cat’s weight. However, it’s always best to take them to the vet if you have any concerns.
Once your cat has achieved an ideal weight, you can revisit your vet to talk about your plan for the future. Making sure your cat engages in regular physical activity, feeding them a healthy diet, and limiting extra treats can help them keep the pounds off.
Not necessarily. While 10 pounds is the average weight for a healthy cat, some larger breeds such as the Maine Coon may tip the scale towards the 20s range without being considered overweight or obese. A vet visit is the best way to find out if your cat weighs more than it should for its size, but a body condition score gives you a good hint.
Obese cats aren’t just fluffy. The excess weight makes them more susceptible to serious illnesses such as diabetes. Additionally, their quality of life diminishes. Morbidly obese cats struggle to breathe, and their physical activity is impaired, which furthers the cycle of gaining too much weight. Ultimately, their life expectancy is often significantly reduced.
If your vet determines that your cat is heavier than they should be, they’ll likely recommend diet changes and scheduled meals rather than free-feeding. It’s important to never reduce your cat’s portion without consulting your vet. Forcing your cat to skip meals or unnecessarily reducing their amount of food can cause serious health issues, including malnutrition and starvation.
Although you won’t truly know until you visit a vet, the body condition score indicates your cat’s condition. Your cat should have a slightly curvy hourglass figure, with no protruding ribs and without excessive fat. Be aware of their primordial pouch under their tummy — this is healthy fat found on every cat and isn’t a sign of obesity.
Unless they haven’t had sufficient access to food, being underweight is almost always an underlying health condition. You should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you notice changes in their eating habits, weight gain, or weight loss. Talk to your veterinarian about appropriate portions for your pet. A starving or undernourished kitty is more susceptible to devastating health problems, so it isn’t an issue to be treated lightly.
