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In their growth cycle, kittens undergo several growth spurts, especially during the first year. Looking at the different measurements like height, length and weight, the males are usually in the higher end of the range versus females being smaller and lighter, towards the lower end. Many cats are lighter and smaller than that; think about the Devon Rex with only about 6-9 pounds or the small Singapura, weighing in at about 4-8 pounds. Don’t forget to subtract the weight of the box from your measurement.
Does the Average Healthy Cat Weight Vary Amongst Breeds?
We’ll weigh in with how heavy your cat should be, including what to do if your cat needs to gain or lose a couple of pounds. Here, two veterinarians who specialize in feline health "weigh" in. None of this significantly impacts their growth or their size as an adult cat. For cats, however, there is no verified scientific evidence that the size of a kitten’s paws accurately predicts the cat’s size as an adult. Look at our article for an overview of cats’ recommended daily calorie intake, or use the calorie calculator for cats here to calculate your cat’s ideal daily calorie intake.
How to help your cat lose weight
Speak to your veterinarian about a weight loss diet that contains fewer calories and/or increased fiber to make them feel fuller. Feeding a diet designed for feline weight loss can reduce the risk of malnutrition. A good weight loss diet should contain 5 grams of protein per kilogram of total body weight per day. While obesity is a prominent health issue among cats, some cats are struggling to be underweight. Before you increase feed, first, you need to determine why your cat is losing weight by visiting a veterinarian. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for a cat’s overall well-being and can significantly reduce the risk of health issues.
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Cat owners should be feeding the number of calories for the weight that their cat should weigh instead of what they already weigh. Caution should be exercised, however, in caloric restriction (i.e., with veterinary supervision) as some cats can develop hepatic lipidosis if the caloric restriction is too severe. Cats can safely lose about 0.5% to 2% of their body weight per week. They tend to have bigger frames to carry more fat and muscles than a female cat.
It’s important to work with your veterinarian at annual check-ups to assess how your cat’s weight is changing from year to year. After establishing your cat is overweight and not simply fluffy, you might be looking for ways to make your feline shed those extra pounds. Fetch suggests switching your cat’s dry food or kibbles with canned food.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Food puzzles are another great way to help your cat lose weight because they encourage cats to work for their food. Food puzzles can also be mentally stimulating, which can help reduce anxiety in cats. Typically, the best way to determine if your cat is at a healthy weight is by visiting the veterinarian and having them weighed.
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A vet will be able to easily answer the question “how heavy should my cat be? Additionally, overweight cats typically have shorter lifespans and less energy, which will impact their quality of life since cats love to jump, climb, and play. Overweight cats still have ribs that you can feel if you press down on them with slightly more pressure. Additionally, the tail may be thicker because it’s more padded, and the body may not have a hip line when you’re looking at the cat from above. When looking at your cat or lifting them up to show them a little love, you might notice when your cat has gained a few pounds.
Obese cats do not have a waistline when looking at them from above, and they will appear round overall. Adding the right and healthy snack to your cat's diet can help them to put on some weight. When choosing the right snack, go for the high-protein snacks. Cats are obligate carnivores therefore, a meat-based high-moisture content food will be appropriate. Canned cat foods tend to have higher protein and fewer carbohydrates than dry kibble, which may also help keep your cat feeling full. Cats also do not have as high of a thirst drive as dogs, so feeding wet food will help ensure that your cat stays hydrated.
What is a healthy cat weight for an Exotic Shorthair?
If your cat drops her body conditions score and hits a “3” you need to have her evaluated. A thorough veterinary exam, coupled with a complete blood workup should help you to find the cause. While many senior cat health problems can’t be cured, most of them can be controlled, giving your cat good quality of life. Above is an easy-to-follow cat weight chart that all cat parents can print out and hang up next to their pet’s food container for reference.
Being underweight is also cause for concern since it’s not normal for a domestic cat with access to food to weigh too little. If you worry that your cat is at an unhealthy weight, it’s important to speak to a qualified vet. Your vet will help you diagnose underlying conditions that can be affecting your cat’s weight, such as hyperthyroidism, cat diarrhea, and cat constipation.
Its fur will be shiny, and the cat will be playful and energetic. Cats in this weight range will live the longest, but it takes the most effort from pet owners to achieve. A majority of cats will fall between a range of 8-12 pounds for ideal weight.
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. Reaching out to a vet can help you accurately conclude where your cat stands on the weighing scale. But you can look for the signs determining your cat’s weight by yourself, Melissa Mustillo, a veterinarian at A Cat Clinic in Boyds, Maryland, told Fetch by WebMD. Options for weight loss diets can include cutting back on your cat’s normal diet or trying a diet specifically designed for feline weight loss and weight management.
An ideal cat with a BCS of 4-5 will have a distinct waist where their ribs end and their abdomen begins, and it should be visible from their topline and profile. You should be able to easily count their ribs by gently applying pressure with your fingers and they have minimal abdominal fat under their belly. Before you put your cat on a diet, take them for a physical exam to make sure they don’t have an underlying medical problem.
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