How Heavy Should My Cat Be?

How much should my cat weigh?

Unfortunately, cat obesity is on the rise. According to one study, more than half of all pets in the United States are overweight or obese! Based on another survey, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimated that a whopping 60% of cats in the US were overweight or obese in 2018. Because weight gain is usually gradual, and you see your cat every day, it can be hard to notice that the pounds are piling on. So, it’s really important to be aware of your cat’s weight.

When it comes to how much a cat should weigh, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer. The average Domestic Shorthair (DSH, or moggy) should weigh between 8.4 and 10lb (3.8-4.5kg). However, this does vary between cats, and also varies between breeds. For example, a Maine Coon can weigh up to 25lb (11.3kg)! If you aren’t sure what a healthy weight would be for your cat, your veterinary team will be happy to advise.

More than half of all pets in the United States are overweight or obese!

Is it dangerous for a cat to be fat?

It is extremely dangerous for a cat to be overweight or obese. An overweight cat will struggle with day-to-day living, be more likely to suffer from certain health conditions, and will have a shorter life than if they were a healthy weight. Problems we see in overweight and obese cats include:

• Poor grooming, since they have a reduced range of movement, which can lead to mats and sore skin
• Joint problems, such as arthritis, due to the increased pressure on the joints
• Reduced mobility, such as difficulty jumping
• Lower energy levels
• Noisy breathing, snoring
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, a gland sitting next to the stomach and intestines)
• Urinary tract disease

Of course, nobody wants their feline friend to suffer, so let’s take a look at how to tell if your cat is a healthy weight.

An overweight cat will struggle with day-to-day living, be more likely to suffer from certain health conditions, and will have a shorter life than if they were a healthy weight.

Is my cat too fat?

Your veterinary team are the best people to advise you on whether your cat is a healthy weight, and what their ideal weight would be. In fact, many veterinary clinics run weight loss programs for cats.

Since there is so much individual variation in weight between cats, the best way to tell if a cat is a healthy weight is to use ‘Body Condition Scoring’ (BCS). The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has produced a really useful chart, illustrating how to body condition score a cat.

Body Condition Scoring involves running your hands over your cat and looking at your cat from the side and from above. Summarized simply:

Your cat is overweight if:

• You have to press firmly to be able to feel their ribs
• You can feel fatty areas
• They have no waist when looking from above

Your cat is obese if:

• You can’t feel their ribs, or it is very difficult to feel them
• You can see fatty areas
• They have no waist
• They have a rounded tummy

If you are concerned that your cat is overweight or obese, you should always have this confirmed by your veterinary team before taking action.

How heavy should my cat be to get pregnant?

If you are thinking of breeding your cat, then they must be at a healthy body weight first. If they are under or over-weight, this puts them at a higher risk of complications during the pregnancy and/or birth.

Since there is so much individual variation in weight between cats, the best way to tell if a cat is a healthy weight is to use ‘Body Condition Scoring’ (BCS).

What to do if your cat is overweight

As with most things, prevention is better than cure. So, if your cat is a healthy weight, then make sure you weigh them regularly to ensure they stay that way!

If your cat is found to be overweight or obese, you will need to start a weight loss program. The good news is that one feline weight loss study suggests that weight loss can improve a cat’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis, for example, mobility, grooming, and overall mood!

It’s important that you don’t feel guilty or embarrassed that your cat is obese, you are not alone. You should feel proud that you are taking action!

Here are our top tips for healthy weight loss in a cat:

• Weight loss should be slow and steady. A cat that loses weight too quickly is at risk of Fatty Liver (hepatic lipidosis). The desired weight loss should take place over weeks to months, at a rate of 0.5-2% of the original weight (i.e. when obese), per week. As always, your veterinarian will advise on the desired weight loss for your unique cat.
• Specially formulated weight loss diets work! Prescription weight-loss diets are low in calories and dense in essential nutrients. Simply reducing their usual diet may mean they become deficient in some essential nutrients. They are also designed to help your cat feel full, meaning less begging for food! Some even help to metabolize (burn) fat.
• Cut out all human food! Even a tiny amount of human food can make a big difference, which makes sense when you think of the size of a cat compared with a human! Even more importantly, many human foods are toxic to cats.
• Use exercise. Overweight or obese cats may be reluctant to chase a toy initially, so you could try puzzle feeders and feeding toys to get your cat moving (using food from their daily ration). These also provide great mental stimulation, which can help to reduce boredom eating, especially in indoor cats.

Finally, use the experts! Your veterinary team is there to guide you through your cat’s weight loss journey.

If your cat is found to be overweight or obese, you will need to start a weight loss program.

Final thoughts

Unfortunately, more and more cats are becoming overweight or obese. The signs can be hard to spot when you see your feline friend every day. If you suspect your cat is overweight or obese, or you aren’t sure, have a weight check with your veterinary team asap. Obese cats are prone to a large number of health conditions and have a shorter life expectancy, so now’s the time to act!