As responsible pet parents, we naturally want our cats to have the longest, happiest life possible, and some of that will be influenced by how much they weigh and how much we feed them. As every cat is different, it’s hard to give concrete advice on how many calories a cat needs or what their ideal weight should be. However, there are other useful ways to find out if they’re at the right weight.
In our helpful blog, we go into further detail about what normal cat weight should look like and how to help an over- or underweight cat to give your furry family member the best life.
What is a healthy weight for a cat?
Overweight and underweight cats have higher chances of health problems, will enjoy life less, and can end up leaving us earlier than we’d like. All good reasons to monitor their weight. However, cats come in all shapes and sizes, and a normal weight for a small British shorthair would not necessarily be normal for a larger Tom or Bengal. So, what is a healthy weight for a cat?
According to webmd.com, the average cat should weigh about 10 pounds, though that can vary depending on the breed, age, health, size, activity level, and whether they have been spayed or neutered. However, because cats come in all shapes and sizes, most vets don’t recommend using weight as a measure of health. They much prefer to use body composition instead. That’s why you’ll often see charts on the wall at the vets showing skinny cats, average cats, and overweight cats and what they look like.
We would suggest going less by weight and more by looks, as your vet does.
Our cat weight chart, shown below, is an excellent tool for checking your cat’s body shape to make sure they are remaining within the healthiest range. If you’re ever unsure about your cat’s weight, ask your vet. They have the training and expertise to give you a much more reliable weight reading than anyone else!
Recommended cat weight by age
As mentioned above, normal cat weight is vastly different between different breeds and many other factors. As a result, it makes it difficult to suggest the ideal weight for a cat by their age. However, there are some common weight patterns that you should keep an eye out for, depending on how old your cat is:
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Young cats: Young cats are more likely to be underweight if unhealthy, so a trip to the vet is recommended for your cat if this is the case.
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Adult cats: Adult cats are more likely to become overweight as a result of less activity.
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Older cats: Older cats will be overweight if they’ve been overfed as adults, but are then more likely to become underweight as a result of illness.
To find your cat’s ideal weight, our cat weight chart above will help you to find out if they’re the shape they should be. If you have any concerns about your furry friend’s weight, a vet will be able to give you the best possible advice.
What to do if your cat is overweight
If you notice a rounder belly, more swaying when they walk, or larger legs than they used to have, your cat could be overweight. If you think your feline friend is putting on the pounds, perhaps it’s time to help them lose it. Try to do it subtly and not draw attention to their expanding belly, though—we don’t want to dent their confidence!
To help a cat lose weight, reduce their meal sizes slightly while increasing their level of exercise. You’ll only need to do it by a few grams per day. Over time, that calorie deficit should help them lose the extra weight and get into the normal range once again.
You can also switch to healthier treats and play with your cat more, too. Both help nurture your relationship while letting you have some fun!
A reason cats become overweight can be due to what’s known as “grazing,” where a cat will continually eat throughout the day as opposed to eating at set times. An automatic cat feeder can help with this and get them used to smaller portions at regular mealtimes. This can help to prevent your cat from begging and the temptation to overfill their bowl.
If just one of your cats is overweight, it could be because they’re raiding someone else’s dinner; a microchip feeder can put an end to that. If you have one cat that likes to steal its sibling’s dinner, you can use a microchip cat feeder, which only allows the cat with a paired microchip to use it.
Remember, don’t rush. Reduce calories by increments and give it time to work. Don’t be tempted to try to go too fast when reducing the amount of food, as you could force your cat to look elsewhere for food, and we don’t want that!
What to do if your cat is underweight
If you think your cat is underweight, you can increase their caloric intake a little so they gain weight.
If they are seriously underweight, rapidly losing weight, or don’t gain weight even when you increase their food, have them checked over by your vet. We wouldn’t want anything else to be affecting them while you’re trying to help them put on some pounds!
If all is well, you can increase their calorie intake gradually over time. Don’t rush, as you could go too far the other way. Just increase their food in increments and monitor their condition as you go. Also, try your best to avoid over-treating them, as most treats typically have little nutritional value. Feed them good food so they remain healthy.
A worthwhile choice for an underweight cat is using an automatic cat feeder, as some cats do better with multiple smaller meals instead of one or two big ones. As you may know, cats love routine, so sticking to consistent feeding times can encourage better eating habits.
Products to Manage Your Cat’s Mealtimes at Closer Pets
As you’ve seen, normal cat weight is more about body composition than weight itself. As cats are all shapes, sizes, and ages, and have different activity levels that can also play a part, monitoring their shape can be much more effective. Remember, a healthy cat is a happy cat. We want our companions to live long and fruitful lives, and keeping them healthy is a key part of that.
At Closer Pets, we have many helpful cat products that can make keeping your cat happy and healthy all the easier. We’ve talked a little about our convenience automatic cat feeders, though our cat water fountains and cat flaps are also just as useful to keep your cat hydrated, active, and at their ideal weight.
If you’d like to ask us anything about our cat products and how they can help, be sure to get in touch with us. A member of our team will be happy to help you out!