Ideal Weight For Cats

A cat at its ideal weight looks and feels great.

While obesity is a common problem in cats, being too thin can also affect a cat's health and quality of life. Weighing your cat can be helpful, but there are also other ways to determine whether the cat is at its ideal weight.

Individuality

The ideal weight for cats is as individual as cats themselves. While most average-size adults should weigh between eight and 10 pounds, cats with large frames should weigh more. Cats with small frames should weigh less.

Visual Weight Check

A cat at its ideal weight will appear to have a waist. The cat's body will become slimmer as you look from the end of the ribs to the hindquarters.

Telling by Touch

If your cat is close to its ideal weight, you can feel and count each rib as you move your hands across the cat's body. The ribs should be covered with a thin layer of fat.

Thin Cat

A cat that is too thin has a narrow waist and protruding rib cage. The spine and shoulder blades feel bony.

Fat Cat

An overweight cat has a large abdomen and may have trouble with grooming and mobility.

References

• HealthyPet: Diet and Weight Control
• The Cat Site: Is Your Cat Overweight?
• PetPlace: Is Your Cat Too Thin?

Resources

• PetFit: Tips and E-tools
• Iams: Feline Obesity
• CatInfo: Feeding Your Cat--Know The Basics of Feline Nutrition
• DVM360: Tell Clients to Bite into 'Catkins' Diet to Battle Obesity, Expert Advises