How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Overweight?

As loving feline owners, we all want our cats to be healthy and happy and we might not notice when our cats start to put on a little extra weight. A chunky cat is usually not a big issue. However, an overweight cat faces increased health risks, including diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

So, how can you tell if your cat is overweight?  There are different was to assess the condition of your cat to determine if he or she is overweight.

Understanding the Ideal Cat Weight for Your Kitty

The ideal weight for a cat varies considerably depending on the breed, age, and gender of your cat. Generally, the average domestic cat should weigh between 8 to 10 pounds. However, larger breeds, like Maine Coons, can weigh more—up to 25 pounds—and still be healthy, while smaller cats may weigh less. Instead of relying purely on numbers, a better way to assess whether your cat is overweight is to evaluate their body condition.

If You Think Your Cat is Overweight, Take Your Cat to the Vet to Rule out Any Medical Condition

It’s always better to take your cat to your veterinarian first to see if your kitty has a thyroid or medical condition contributing to the overweight condition. Your veterinarian can also give you some recommendations as to what type of food that your cat should eat to lose weight.

Below Are Some of the Signs That Your Cat Might Be Overweight:

1. Difficulty Feeling Your Cat’s Ribs

One of the easiest ways to tell if your cat is overweight is to feel their ribs. In a healthy cat, you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs under a thin layer of fat. If you have trouble feeling your cat's ribs without pressing hard, this could be a sign that your cat is carrying excess weight.

2. Your Cat Has No Visible Waist

Just like humans, cats have a waistline. When you look at your cat from above, you should see a slight inward curve at the waist, just behind the ribs. If your cat’s sides are bulging out or if there is no discernible waist, this could indicate they are overweight.

3. Abdominal Fat Pouch is Larger than Normal

Many cats have a small pouch of loose skin and fat called a "primordial pouch" hanging from their belly, which is perfectly normal. However, if this pouch is overly large or feels heavy with fat, it’s a sign that your cat may have gained too much weight.

4. Tired and Less Active

Overweight cats tend to become more lethargic due to the extra weight putting strain on their joints. If your cat is less inclined to run, jump, or play, and prefers lying down most of the time, they may be experiencing the side effects of carrying excess weight.

5. Trouble Grooming

Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits. If your cat has gained too much weight, they may find it harder to reach certain areas of their body, especially around their back or tail. Overweight cats may have greasy or matted fur in these areas as a result of being unable to groom themselves properly.

Assessing Your Cat’s Body Condition Score (BCS)

Veterinarians often use a system called the Body Condition Score (BCS) to assess a cat’s weight. This scale typically ranges from 1 to 9, where 1 is severely underweight, 5 is ideal, and 9 is severely overweight.

To assess your cat’s BCS, it isn’t that much different than the above.

Feel their ribs: You should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure.

Check for a waistline: When viewed from above, your cat should have a slight indentation behind the ribs.

Look at their belly: Your cat should have a tucked-up abdomen when viewed from the side, not a sagging belly.

If your cat scores higher than 5 on this scale, they are likely overweight, and it’s time to take some action.

What Are the Health Risks of Overweight Cats?

If your cat is overweight, they are at higher risk of developing several health issues. These include:

Diabetes: Excess weight can cause insulin resistance, leading to diabetes in cats.

Arthritis: Extra weight puts more pressure on your cat’s joints, making it more likely for them to develop arthritis.

Heart Disease: Being overweight increases the likelihood of cardiovascular problems in cats.

Liver Disease: Overweight cats are prone to developing hepatic lipidosis, a severe liver condition.

Kidney Disease: Overweight cats can put stress on the kidneys which could increase the risk of kidney disease.

What You Should Do If Your Cat Is Overweight

If you suspect your cat is overweight, the first step is to consult your veterinarian. They can help you assess your cat’s body condition and recommend a weight loss plan. Here are some common steps you can take:

1. Portion Control: Measure your cat’s food and avoid free-feeding. Stick to the recommended portions based on your vet’s advice.

2. Choose High-Quality Food: Ensure your cat is eating high-protein, low-carbohydrate food, as this can help with weight management.

3. Encourage Activity: Play with your cat regularly to encourage more movement. Use interactive toys like laser pointers, feather wands, or treat-dispensing toys (with healthy treats!) to keep them engaged.

4. Scheduled Feeding: Instead of leaving food out all day, switch to scheduled feeding times. This helps prevent overeating and allows you to monitor your cat’s intake better. Consider buying an automatic feeder if you feed your cat or cats dry food.

By being aware of the signs of feline obesity and taking proactive steps to prevent and manage it, you can help your cat live a long and healthy life.

If you switch out to a new wet or dry food, remember that cats don’t like change. Therefore, it is important to change your kitties’ food slowly and mix the new food into the old food and eventually transition the old food out. If you change the food too quickly, your cat won’t eat it, and you will be forced to go back to the old food and start over.

By being aware of the signs of feline obesity and taking proactive steps to prevent and manage it, you can help your cat live a long and healthy life.