To help maintain a healthy weight for your cat, consider age, breed, and activity level in addition to consulting your veterinarian for dietary advice.
If you’re wondering if your feline friend is at a good weight, you’re smart to ask that question. A lot of cat owners can’t quite tell if their fur baby is at a good weight (spoiler: more cats are overweight than you’d think).
When a cat weighs 10% to 20% above their ideal body weight, they’re considered overweight. Anything over 20% is considered obese. This can easily happen when a cat is overfed and doesn’t get enough exercise, but genetics can also play a role.
Some cats who are overweight are seen as being cute on social media, but it’s more serious than you might think. Overweight cats have an increased risk of issues such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, skin and coat problems, urinary tract disease, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome), and anesthetic complications, to name a few.
Here’s what you can do to help your cat maintain a healthy weight and live their very best life.
A healthy weight depends on a cat’s age and breed, but if your cat’s ribs feel like the fleshy part of your palm instead of like the flesh covering the back of your hand, and their midsection looks rounded from above, then they may be overweight.
From above, your cat should have a visible waist behind the ribs, but if their ribs stick out like your knuckles, then they may be underweight.
At your cat’s next appointment, ask your vet how to assess your cat’s body condition at home.
The 2022 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention survey reports that 61% of cats are overweight, but that many owners perceive them to be a “normal weight.”
Mixed breeds, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cats are predisposed to being overweight.
Maintaining a healthy weight for your cat can help them live longer, and it’s easier to prevent weight gain than to treat obesity.
To help your cat avoid weight gain, avoid:
- free-choice feeding (leaving food out for your cat at all times)
- frequent treats
- inconsistent portion measurement
- food meant for humans
Treats should never make up more than 10% of a cat’s daily calorie intake.
Competitive eating may also be an issue if you have more than one cat in the house. Give each of them their own bowl and enough space to eat so they do not steal from another bowl. It’s common for one cat to eat faster than the other and bully the other cat away so they can consume both bowls of food.
To help your cat maintain a consistent weight, you can:
- Feed at consistent mealtimes.
- Use a measured scoop to ensure they get the same amount each time.
- Do not feed more treats than your vet recommends.
- Enrich your cats’ indoor environment with plenty of toys and daily interactive play times.
- Ensure clean, fresh water is available to them at all times.
Portion control is one of the most important factors in weight maintenance. Your vet can help you determine the amount and frequency to feed your particular cat.
Keep metabolism in mind
Cats’ metabolism slows after they are spayed or neutered. As many cats are spayed or neutered when they are kittens and still growing, it can be hard to strike a balance between providing them with enough calories and nutrients to support their growth while also preventing overfeeding. This is especially true as they transition to adulthood.
Speak with your vet to determine the best amount of food to feed your kitten as they mature into an adult cat.
As your cat ages into adulthood, it is especially important to interact with them to help them get some exercise if they live indoors.
Older cats are less likely to play on their own as kittens do, but may also have stiffer joints. If you see your senior cat moving more slowly, speak with your vet about possible options for joint supplements.
In later stages of life, your senior cat (over 10 years old) may actually need to increase their calorie intake because it becomes harder for them to digest protein and fat. This can lead to unintentional weight loss and muscle loss. Any unexplained weight loss should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Speak with your veterinarian about the best diet for your senior cat.
There may be an underlying cause or condition that is causing their weight to fluctuate. Schedule an exam for your cat so that your vet can evaluate and advise you on what your cat may need, if:
- You have been doing all you can to maintain a consistent weight for your cat, but they are still gaining or losing weight.
- You notice changes in your cat’s eating habits, such as a decreased appetite, no appetite, or trouble chewing.
- Sudden increased hunger and/or thirst.
Many factors can affect your cat’s weight, including age, genetics, activity level, and feeding method. Though being overweight is typically more common in domestic indoor cats than being underweight, the reverse can also occur.
Each cat has individual needs, and it’s best to work with your veterinarian to determine the best diet plan for your cat.