how much should my cat weigh

Ideal Weight for Cats

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.

What if My Cat is Underweight?

For many cat breeds, obesity is a problem, but underweight cats can also exist. This might be particularly true if you recently took in a stray cat or adopted a cat.

Your veterinarian may advise giving your cat more food or suggesting a higher-calorie food to help them gain weight if their BCS shows that they are excessively thin. Measuring the amount of food is also a smart idea, according to Dr. Lobos. Furthermore, “they’ll probably suggest blood work—particularly if your cat has suddenly lost weight or experienced any other behavioral changes, like drinking more and urinating more frequently.” An adult maintenance formula can assist them in long-term weight maintenance once they’ve achieved a healthy weight. ”.

Regardless of the source, it’s tempting to feed your underweight cat as many calories as possible. Still, you don’t want to overindulge in treats just yet. These may deprive your cat of vital nutrients and lead to excessive weight gain. They might also upset the balance of essential nutrients in your cat’s diet, such as vitamins and minerals.

Don’t overlook exercise and activities, either. These are crucial for your cat’s growth in muscle, which will enable them to gain weight in a healthy way.

How Is a Cat’s Ideal Weight Determined?

To account for all of the variables (body frame, lean muscle mass, etc.) and make this evaluation less subjective and more standardized, veterinarians developed the Body Condition Score chart.

This chart uses a 9-point system to classify a cat’s body condition, with 9 representing morbid obesity and 1 representing extreme emaciation. Ideally, your cat should fall into the 4-5 range.

What Should the Average Cat Weigh?

Generally speaking, a healthy cat should weigh between 8 and 12 pounds.

Nevertheless, healthy cats come in a range of shapes and sizes, including weight. To establish what a healthy weight for a cat is, we need to consider factors other than weight alone, such as body frame size and lean muscle mass.

FAQ

What is a healthy weight for my cat?

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.

Is 12 pounds heavy for a cat?

Females typically weigh 8 to 12 pounds, while males can weigh 11 to 15. So, a 15-pound female Siamese would be overweight, whereas that size might be perfectly healthy for a male. Those resources also don’t account for mixed breed cats.

Is 14 pounds overweight 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.

Is 15 pounds heavy for a cat?

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.