Cats are popular pets, but an increasing number of them are becoming overweight due to being kept inside. The most significant health risk associated with obesity is the reduction in lifespan it causes. We’ve got the answers if you’re concerned about your pet’s well-being but don’t know how to determine whether or not they’re overweight. The average domestic cat weighs between 8 and 10 pounds (3.6–4.4 kg). However, several variables could alter these figures, so read on to learn how to figure out what’s best for your cat’s weight and how to make adjustments so it can enjoy a long, healthy life with a healthy cat weight.
To assist you in assessing if your cat is overweight and to provide an answer to the age-old question, how heavy should my cat be? We have divided their weight into five distinct ranges.
1 Dangerously Underweight
Cats with extremely underweight need to be fed immediately. Only strays or cats neglected by their owners will likely be in poor shape. Dangerously underweight cats will have obvious ribs, whether viewed from the side or from above. Without fat padding, the skeleton around the tail will stand out more sharply. They will have a severe tummy tuck and will likely be too exhausted to do anything fun like grooming, hunting, or playing. It will probably lose its natural mistrust of humans and approach you directly for food if it is a stray.
2 Underweight
Underweight cats will have slightly more fat than the previous category. The ribs will still be visible from the side, and you’ll be able to feel them when petting the cat, but they might be harder to make out when viewed from above.
Some padding will be added to the tail bones, but they will still be visible due to the extensive belly tuck that will also be performed. Even if they are malnourished and require food right away, they will still have plenty of energy for hunting and playing, and they may even opt to avoid human contact by hiding or fleeing if they feel threatened. If there is a huge population of strays or if it is cold outside, most of them will be malnourished.
3 Ideal Weight
At a healthy cat weight, a cat’s ribs will be easy to feel when petting, but you won’t see them until the cat stretches, jumps, or climbs. The cat’s tail bones will be padded but shaped and visible, giving the animal a waist when viewed from above. The cat will have glossy fur and be full of life and mischief. Even though cats in this weight range enjoy the longest lifespans, getting them there requires the most dedication from their owners.
4 Overweight
There are more overweight cats than healthy-weight cats in the United States, which is a growing problem. You can still feel the ribs and some fat on an overweight cat, but you may have to press a little harder. When viewed from above, the tail bones are thickly cushioned, and there is no discernible hip line or forward thigh crease.
5 Obese
Cats who are severely overweight, like those that are severely underweight, need rapid medical intervention. These cats face several health problems that can shorten their lifespans, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney illness, and more. In addition to putting strain on your cat’s bones and cartilage, the extra weight will make it difficult to climb and jump as easily as it would otherwise. Extra fat can also restrict lung capacity, making breathing more challenging. The cat might start snoring more often, too. You’ll have a hard time feeling the ribs of an overweight cat, and you’ll notice obvious fat deposits in the cat’s lower back, face, and extremities.
When viewed from above, there will be no waistline, a prominent rounded abdominal area with substantial fat padding, and a large bulge in the rear end.
Ideal Weight for Cats
Many professionals say that the ideal weight for a cat is between 10 and 12 pounds, although this isn’t always the case. There are more than 70 recognized cat breeds by the International Cat Association, and each has its unique characteristics and appropriate weight. The ideal weight for a Singapura cat, for instance, which is among the tiniest cat breeds, is between 4 and 8 pounds. Male Maine Coons can weigh up to 22 pounds, while females typically weigh between 12 and 15 pounds.
You might not have known it if you didn’t know that the Domestic Shorthair is one of the most common home cats in the United States. The average, normal weight for an adult cat of this breed is roughly 10 pounds. Still, that number might vary, so it’s important to evaluate your cat individually to establish its appropriate weight.
Weight Of a Healthy Kitten
At birth, a kitten typically weighs around 100 grams. That’s about the same as an ounce of meat from the butcher or as much as she can consume in two or three days if she’s an adult. A kitten only consumes its mother’s milk for the first four weeks. Kittens can start eating solid food as soon as their first teeth appear.
A kitten’s rapid weight gain over the first four months is normal. Approximately 100 g every week. The typical weight of a kitten at 10 weeks is around 1100 grams, and at 20 weeks, that number rises to about 2200 grams. Kittens continue to grow until they reach 1 year of age. However, the growth rate decreases significantly after 20 weeks. After that time, most cats have reached their full adult size. The strengthening of bones and muscles causes continued weight gain.
Healthy Weight for An Adult Cat
Generally, an adult cat weighs between 3.6 and 4.5 pounds. As a general rule, a healthy weight for a female cat is less than a healthy weight for a male cat. It should be noted that this measurement is exclusive to the indoor/outdoor cat. The average adult Siamese cat weighs only approximately 3 kilos. Hence this breed is considered small. In contrast, a Maine Coon weighs between 5 and 7 kg.
Furthermore, there are substantial variations among cats. It is possible, for instance, for a cat weighing 2.5 kilograms to be just as healthy as a male cat weighing 8 kilograms. In particular, be sure the weight is appropriate for your cat’s build.
Healthy Cat Weight Chart- Healthy Weight for Cats by Age
How to Recognize If Your Cat’s Weight is Healthy
Use our guide to visually inspect your cat and decide if it is at a healthy weight. You shouldn’t be able to see the cat’s ribs when looking down on it from above, but you also shouldn’t see any fatty deposits. It should be high-spirited and playful, with a glossy coat that it regularly grooms. There shouldn’t be any signs of difficulty in breathing, and it should be able to hop up onto high shelves without much trouble.
Overweight cats, especially those with long hair, may have trouble maintaining a healthy grooming routine and may end up with mats as a result. There will be less running and no more attempts to leap onto high counters. In addition to being more likely to snore, it may have a more difficult breathing pattern, as if it had a clogged nose. Any excess fat will show up clearly when the cat runs.
How To Maintain a Healthy Cat Weight
Your cat’s weight can be affected by what you feed it and how much exercise it gets, just like a human’s. Cats who don’t get fed more than they need and get daily exercise outside tend to maintain a healthy weight. If you answered yes, you might try to get your cat to cut back on its food intake.
Conclusion
We hope you have liked reading this article and gained knowledge about your cat’s weight range and whether it is healthy. Obesity affects most modern house cats, and we must tackle this critical issue. The best way is to give them plenty of playtime and food that is good for them.