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On average, a healthy domestic cat will weigh 8-10 pounds. However, this isn’t a hard and fast number. How heavy your cat should be will vary, depending on your cat’s breed, body frame, and whether they’re indoor or outdoor cats.
The best way to determine your cat’s target weight is to talk to your vet. Your vet can help you pinpoint a healthy weight for your cat and offer guidance on reaching it. Maintaining the right weight is essential to your cat’s long-term health, as overweight and underweight cats face an increased risk of heart problems and a shortened life span.
The best way to keep your cat’s weight on track is by feeding them age-appropriate cat food with sufficient protein. Meals should be measured, but the exact amount will depend on your cat’s breed, energy levels, and individual calorie needs.
Cat Weight Chart: What is Average, Under, and Overweight
For an objective picture of your cat’s size, your veterinarian can assign him a body condition score—a metric that looks at more than just the numbers on the scale.
Dr. Gary Richter, Rover’s resident veterinarian on The Dog People Panel, explains: “A numerical system called the body condition score (BCS) is a simple way of tracking whether your pet is at an ideal weight, too fat, or too thin. Veterinarians use this tool to assess the body weight and overall condition of a dog or cat based on fat deposits and how prominent the animal’s bones are.”
Underweight | Healthy | Overweight | |
Tummy | Ribs are visible from above | Visible waistline, almost like an hourglass | No waistline and more round in nature |
Ribs | Bony and protruding | Not visible but can be felt | Unable to feel their ribs |
Energy levels | Low | Normal | Low |
To unpack the BCS system, we spoke with Dr. Danielle (Elly) Page BVSc, a North Carolina-based veterinarian and passionate advocate for healthy pet weight.
If you’re new to this scale, Dr. Page suggests getting some pointers from your vet first. “I would definitely recommend getting your veterinarian to teach you how to work out if your cat is the correct weight,” she says. “Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s pretty simple to determine if your cat is a healthy weight.”
How to use the body condition score on your cat:
- First, take a visual look: “A cat that is a healthy weight should have a tummy tuck and an hourglass look when viewing from above,” says Dr. Page. For healthy cats, ribs should not be visible.
- Then, do a hands-on check: “If you run your hands along their sides, you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat,” Dr. Page tells us. “If you can’t feel their ribs, they are likely overweight. If their ribs are very bony, they may be underweight.”
- Lastly, address any changes in behavior: A cat who’s too heavy or too thin may experience dips in energy. Pay attention to your cat’s activity levels, and inform your vet of any changes. “Overweight cats often sleep more and find it difficult to jump up onto high surfaces,” says Dr. Page, adding the following words of caution: “Both of these signs can also be due to problems such as arthritis, so it’s best to get your vet to check out your cat.”
How Does My Cat’s Weight Affect Their Health?
Your cat’s weight isn’t just a matter of aesthetics—it can affect their quality of life, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. For starters, carrying around extra weight will deplete your cat’s energy level. It also complicates their ability to perform routine kitty activities, like jumping on the counter or bed. Too much weight will put stress on your cat’s joints, and it can negatively affect your cat’s heart health.
Underweight cats face health risks as well, including nutritional deficits and weakened immune systems. Skipping meals is not a healthy habit for cats—and because it usually signifies an underlying issue, food avoidance should always be addressed by your vet.
Is My Cat Overweight? Characteristics & Symptoms
“Obesity is an ever-growing issue in our pets—and cats are the worst affected with estimates of over 50% of our cats in the USA being overweight or obese,” says Dr. Page.
The two main causes of feline weight gain are too much food and too little exercise. Many of us are free-feeding our cats, who (like humans) aren’t always the best at recognizing when enough is enough. Plus, most indoor cats (again, like humans) aren’t getting enough exercise.
For folks wondering, is my cat overweight—or could he be obese—Dr. Page breaks it down for us.
“An overweight cat is 10-19% above its ideal body weight. So if your cat is 11 pounds, and should be 10 pounds, he’s overweight,” she explains. “An obese cat is 20% or more above its ideal body weight. So if your cat is 13 pounds, and should be 10 pounds, he’s considered obese.”
Physical signs of cat obesity:
- Rounded body
- Fat pad hanging on his underside
- You can’t feel the cat’s ribs or backbone
Symptoms and disorders caused by obesity:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypertension
- Some types of cancer
- Surgical and anesthetic complications
- Non-allergic skin conditions
- Feline lower urinary disease
- Weakened immune system
- Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease)
Medical causes of cat obesity:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Arthritis
Is My Cat Underweight? Characteristics and Symptoms
Sometimes, a diminished appetite is tied to psychological stress. Cats may lose interest in food after a move or when a new pet is introduced to the home. Picky cats have also been known to refuse food if they don’t find it palatable.
Whatever the cause of anorexia in cats—a sustained loss of appetite—the condition always warrants medical attention, Dr. Page tells us.
“I would rarely see a cat (I have actually never seen one) that is underweight or refusing to eat for no reason at all. Every cat I have seen that is in this camp is due to an underlying issue, such as kidney disease or dental disease.”
It’s no reason to panic, but a call to your vet is definitely in order. “I would advise you to get your cat checked out by your vet, as many reasons for refusing to eat can be life-threatening if not treated.”
Physical signs of feline anorexia:
- Extreme tummy tuck
- Visible ribs
- Little to no padding on the tailbone
Symptoms and disorders associated with feline anorexia:
- Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) can develop during even short periods of not eating
- Weakened immune system
- Muscle weakness
- Risk of sepsis
- Difficulty healing
- Digestive issues
Medical causes of feline anorexia:
- Upper respiratory tract disease
- Dental problems
- Pancreatitis
- Liver disease
- GI problems
- Cardiac disease
- Anemia
- Neoplasia
What Should I Do If My Cat Is Overweight?
The first rule of feline weight loss is to take things slowly. Under no circumstances should you ever starve your cat. Rapid weight loss may even lead to fatty liver disease.
So, what’s a safe cat weight loss rate? A modest 0.5% to 2% loss of body weight per week is a good goal. With your vet’s guidance, here are several steps to get you started.
- Choose a diet cat food: Instead of limiting your cat’s food intake (which can lead to nutritional deficiencies), talk to your vet about switching to low-fat cat food for weight loss. The best cat food for overweight cats will be rich in lean animal protein (at least 30%), low in calories, and contain digestible carbohydrates and fiber.
- Schedule feeding times: Free-feeding is at the root of many feline weight issues, Dr. Page points out. “Many overweight cats live for the times you fill their food bowl and will eat all the food in one sitting.”
- Measure and schedule meals. “For overweight cats, it’s important to measure out their food,” says Dr. Page. She recommends weighing it on a kitchen scale and dividing it into three portions.
- Limit treats: Treats should account for less than 10% of your cat’s caloric intake. For diet-friendly snacks, choose healthy cat treats high in protein and low in calories.
- Encourage exercise with toys: One way to get your reluctant couch potato up and moving is with an interactive cat toy. Most cats enjoy toys that mimic prey. You can also go with a classic and promote exercise with a cat laser toy.
- Use a puzzle feeder. Puzzle feeders are mentally enriching, and studies show they slow down voracious eaters and can help cats lose weight.
- Try a cat tree: Cats love vertical space, and a cat tree gives them somewhere to jump, climb, and stretch out their limbs.
- Give a cat harness a whirl: For willing kitties, a cat harness opens up a whole world (or backyard) to explore. Either way, it’s a novel way to clock in some additional steps with your cat.
What Should I Do If My Cat Is Underweight?
Underweight cats should be seen by a vet. If other conditions are ruled out, here are 8 ways to manage anorexia in cats:
- Switch to a cat food designed for weight gain: Ask your vet if you should swap your cat’s regular kibble for a high-calorie food designed for weight gain. Ideally, the best cat food for weight gain will be made with 30% protein and 20% fat.
- Try a new flavor: Cats can be fussy about food. If yours is staging a hunger strike, try a different brand or flavor of food to see if it piques their interest.
- Feed them more meals: Try offering your cat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day (say 3-4 instead of his usual 2).
- Switch to wet food: Canned food may help your underweight cat beef up, reports Dr. Page. Plus, cats usually find wet food more palatable than dry food.
- Warm up your cat’s food: This simple step makes food more enticing to your cat’s sensitive sniffer.
- Boost palatability: To make your cat’s meal more appealing, try adding nutritious toppers or a splash of chicken broth to soften food and add flavor.
- Reduce environmental stressors: For stress-related anorexia, try to create a calm and quiet space for your cat to enjoy his food in peace.
- Keep food fresh: No one wants to nosh on stale food. For optimal freshness, store cat food in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.
Is My Cat’s Primordial Pouch a Sign of Excess Fat?
If your cat is swinging a sizable paunch around his midsection, it isn’t necessarily fat. It could just be his primordial pouch, which is 100% normal and healthy. All cats (male and female) sport this layer of fat, skin, and fur on their underside, although some are more visibly pronounced than others.
There are a few theories behind the pouch’s purpose. It’s possible cats developed them as an added layer of protection around their internal organs. Or, perhaps, they served as extra space to store food in-between hunts.
Because obesity carries with it so many risks, cat owners should know difference between a harmless primordial pouch and an unsafe layer of fat. Dr. Page offers this distinction: “The pouch will be loose and have minimal fat underneath it. If you flatten it against the cat’s body, it will still have a tuck. Whereas that will not be the case with an overweight paunch.”
Takeaway: Measure Your Cat’s Health Individually, Not By Internet Numbers
Here’s the bottom line: what’s healthy for one cat can be totally different from the next. Determining your own cat’s healthy weight will involve a number of considerations, including their breed, age, and medical history.
When your cat needs a little help in the weight department, your best ally is your veterinarian or pet nutritionist. Always speak with a professional before making changes to your cat’s diet. They can help you devise the safest weight management plan for your cat.