how much should a full grown cat weigh

Typically, the ideal weight for the average healthy cat is 8-12 pounds. That said, healthy cats come in a variety of sizes—and that includes weight. More than the weight alone, we must evaluate the body frame size and the lean muscle mass of a cat to determine what a healthy weight is.

The Problem with “Average” Cat Weight

Resources that provide a cat’s average weight or weight range may not account for additional factors that influence weight. The influence of variables such as age, breed, sex, and spayed/neutered status

For instance, a Siamese cat’s weight ranges from 8 to 15 pounds. Males can weigh 11 to 15 pounds, while females usually weigh 8 to 12 pounds. Therefore, a 15-pound female Siamese would be considered overweight, but a male Siamese of the same weight may be perfectly healthy.

Those resources also don’t account for mixed breed cats. You might find it difficult to determine your cat’s average weight or range if they are a mixed breed. What then?.

Ideal Weight for Cats

An average domestic cat should weigh roughly 10 pounds, however weight can vary depending on breed and frame. A healthy Maine Coon can weigh up to 25 pounds, whereas a Siamese cat may only weigh 5 pounds.

While there are some indicators you can look for on your own, your veterinarian can let you know if your cat is overweight, according to Melissa Mustillo, DVM, a veterinarian at A Cat Clinic in Maryland. “When you look down at a cat, they should have an hourglass figure, their belly should not be hanging down, and you should be able to feel their ribs,” she says. (There is one exception: even after losing weight, an obese cat will probably still have a “saggy belly” ).

How to Keep the Pounds Off

According to veterinarians, cats’ weight gain is typically caused by the kind and quantity of food they are fed, as well as plain boredom.

When they are bored, they consider going to eat. Mustillo remarks, “Oh, look, there’s no food in my bowl. I’m going to bother mom for more food.”

To keep their pets happy, many owners give in to their complaints.

But it is possible to prevent or curb weight gain:

Canned food tends to have less carbohydrates and more protein than dry food. Setting up separate mealtimes for your pet with canned food is another smart move. When owners leave a bowl of dry kibble out for their cats to eat from all day, many of them gain weight.
Cut back on treats. Cats who get other rewards, like playing with you, do just as well.
Make your cat work for its food. Veterinarians have discovered that when cats’ owners use “food puzzles,” which they have to roll or fidget to get treats out of, the cats are happier and healthier. You can stuff some inside a wine box’s pockets or poke a few tiny holes in a plastic bottle before adding kibbles inside. The puzzles stimulate their innate desire to hunt and forage while slowing down their eating.
If you have multiple cats, you might need to feed the overweight cat in a different room or elevate the food that the healthy-weight cats eat so that the fat ones can’t reach it.
Think about utilizing a pet feeder with a microchip, which restricts access to the food to the animal registered with it. If your pet does not have a microchip, there are alternative collar tags available.

Get your cat checked out physically to make sure there are no underlying medical issues before putting them on a diet. It might be sufficient to substitute set meals for kibble grazing all day. However, a heavier cat might have to go to a special prescription diet or canned diet food that contains more protein, vitamins, and minerals per calorie.

Be patient, Mustillo says. If you want [your cat] to lose a pound, it could take up to a year or at least six months. Itâs very slow. â.

According to Shanker, if your cat is curvaceous, don’t panic. Your vet can help.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean the cat will die of heart disease if they are slightly overweight,” he says.

One thing to remember: Donât ever starve your cat. Larger cats in particular are susceptible to liver failure if they go without food for even a few days.

FAQ

How much should a full grown house cat weigh?

Most domestic cats should weigh about 10 pounds, though that can vary by breed and frame. A Siamese cat may weigh as few as 5 pounds, while a Maine Coon can be 25 pounds and healthy.

Is a 15 lb cat overweight?

However, most healthy cats weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. You should be able to feel their ribs and bones when you lightly press on their skin. Your vet can recommend the healthiest and most accurate goal weight for your furry friend.

What is the ideal weight for an adult cat?

A cat’s weight can vary depending on their breed and medical history, but the ideal weight for an average cat is 10 pounds or 4.4 kilograms. In addition to a low-calorie diet, make sure to incorporate more activity into your feline’s day-to-day life.

Is 14 pounds heavy for a cat?

While a 13 or 14 pound cat may be cute in all his fluffy, squishy goodness, he’s actually extremely overweight or considered an obese cat. For example, if your cat’s ideal weight is 8 pounds but he’s actually 10 pounds, then he’s carrying around an extra 25% of his body weight.