How to tell if my cat is overweight

You might not think your cat's weight is a problem, but even a few extra ounces can make a big difference in his or her overall health and longevity. Our Smyrna veterinarians offer advice on how to tell if your cat is overweight today.

Your Cat's Weight & Health

Your cat's weight is an important part of their overall health, even if you don't think about it. When your cat is overweight, just like people, its risk of developing serious and potentially life-threatening conditions rises dramatically. Even a few extra ounces can have a significant impact on your cat's overall health and vitality.

Health Risks Faced by Overweight Cats

If your feline friend is carrying the excess weight they face an increased risk of developing these serious conditions: 

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Urinary tract infections

• Joint pain
• Chronic inflammation
• Skin problems

How To Tell If Your Cat Is Overweight

To determine whether your kitty is overweight try the tips below.

Look for Your Cat's Waistline

• Look down at your cat from directly above while he or she is standing. Look for a small indent above your cat's hips, where their waist should be (this can be a bit tricky with long-haired cats). If you can't see their waist or their sides are bulging, your cat is probably overweight.

Feel for Your Cat's Ribs

• When your cat is at a healthy weight you should be able to slightly feel their ribs by gently running your hand along their chest. If you can't feel your cat's ribs, your cat may be overweight. 

Struggling to Jump

• Cats are born with the ability to run and jump quickly. If your cat takes several tries to jump up onto their favorite piece of furniture, or if they give up entirely, their weight could be the issue.

Use Our Overweight Cat Chart

• Look over the illustration below to get a better understanding of your cat's weight category, and whether your cat may be carrying an extra pound or two.

Getting Your Cat's Weight Back On-track

Your cat's breed, age, and lifestyle all make a significant difference to their nutritional needs.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you suspect your cat is overweight. Your veterinarian will determine your cat's current weight, as well as what their ideal weight is and how to assist them in achieving their weight loss goals.

If your cat is just a little overweight, you may be able to continue feeding them their regular food but at reduced portion sizes. 

If, on the other hand, your cat needs to lose a significant amount of weight, it may be best to switch your kitty over to a specialized food that is formulated to help cats lose weight.

Unexplained Weight Gain

If your cat has suddenly begun to put on weight without cause, it's time to see your vet. Unexplained weight gain can be a symptom of an underlying health issue.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is your feline pal chubby? Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an examination for your feline companion. Our veterinarians can calculate your cat's nutritional requirements and assist you in regaining control of your cat's weight.

On average, a medium or small cat should weight between 7 and 13 pounds. A large cat should weigh between 13 and 24 pounds.[1] X Research source Go to source However, like people cats vary in shape and size. Your cat might fall outside of these ranges and still be healthy. Doing a body check can help you determine if your cat's weight is a problem. If you're concerned after evaluating your cat, make an appointment to your vet. Obesity can increase your cat's risk for a variety of health problems and shorten his overall lifespan. It's important you make sure your cat is at a healthy weight for his size.

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   Look at your cat from different angles. You can start determining if your cat's overweight by looking at him. Examining your cat from above and from the side should help you determine if his weight is a problem.

   • Look at your cat from above. The area between his ribs and hips should move inward slightly, creating a clearly defined waist. If there is no waist or if his waist is wider than either his hips or ribs, your cat may be overweight.[2] X Research source Go to source
   • You should also look at your cat from the side. Cats who are at a healthy weight have what is called an abdominal tuck. This means the area just behind their ribs should have a smaller diameter than the chest. If you do not see an abdominal tuck, your cat may be overweight.[3] X Research source Go to source

2. 2

   Touch your cat's ribs. You can further examine your cat by touching him. Run your hand over your cat's sides. You should be able to easily feel his ribs. If you cannot feel his ribs, or have to push down to do so, your cat may be overweight.[4] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Examine the base of your cat's tail. You should also be able to feel bones near the base of your cat's tail. While there should be a small layer of fat protecting this area, you should be able to feel the outlines of his bones without much effort. If you cannot easily feel bones here, your cat may be overweight.[5] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   Check other bony areas. A cat's spine, hips, and shoulders should also be fairly bony. While very visible and pointy bones may indicate your cat is underweight, in a healthy cat you should be able to easily detect hip bones, spine bones, and shoulder bones through gentle petting. If you're unable to feel these bones due to layers of fat, your cat is overweight.[6] X Research source Go to source

5. 5

   Do not be overly concerned about a saggy belly. Many cats have a saggy bit of flesh that hangs down between their back legs. If your cat is otherwise bony, this small pouch of skin is unlikely to be an indication of a weight problem. This skin flap is referred to as the "primordial pouch" and its purpose is to protect the stomach during fights with other cats. Cats often kick with their back legs when angry, and this flap of skin protects your cat from such attacks. Many cats will develop a primordial pouch at some point in their lives and it is not necessarily an indicator of feline obesity.[7] X Research source Go to source

   • However, excess fat may be stored in your cat's primordial pouch if he is overweight. If he shows other symptoms of obesity, check his pouch. It should hang loose and be mostly comprised of skin. If the pouch seems to be filling out with fat, this can be an indicator of obesity.[8] X Research source Go to source

1. 1

   Make an appointment with your vet. If you're concerned after doing a body check, you should take your cat to see a veterinarian. You can weigh your cat yourself at home but it's better to take him to the vet. The scales at a vet's office are specifically designed for use on animals. A vet will also be able to determine if your cat is medically obese considering his body type. While a body check can give you insight as to whether you should be concerned, professional veterinary evaluation is important when diagnosing your cat as overweight or obese.

2. 2

   Determine the cause of your cat's weight gain. When you're at the vet's office, your vet will ask you a variety of questions regarding your cat. This helps determine whether your cat's weight is due to environmental or medical factors.

   • Obesity in cats can be the result of environmental factors. Your vet will want to know how often you feed your cat as overfeeding can lead to weight gain. If your cat hides a lot due to fear of children or other pets, he may not be getting enough exercise. Your cat also may be bored and not have enough toys or entertainment. You might have to adjust your home environment to help your cat lose weight.[9] X Research source Go to source
   • However, environment is not always the cause. Some medications, diseases, and medical conditions can cause your cat to gain weight. If your cat has any other troublesome symptoms, like vomiting or diarrhea, let your vet know. He or she may want to conduct certain tests or lab work on your cat to rule out an underlying medical problem.[10] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Discuss your cat's diet with your vet. If your cat's weight gain is environmental, talk to your vet about how you feed your cat. He or she can suggest changes you can make to get your cat to a healthier weight. It's important you talk over major changes to your cat's diet with your vet beforehand.

1. 1

   Change how you feed your cat. If your cat is overweight, you'll need to change how you feed him. Changing a cat's feeding schedule can make a huge difference in regards to his weight.

   • Always make transitions gradual. If you suddenly swap out a cat's old food for a new diet brand, he may act out or refuse to eat. Keep your cat on his regular food but offer him a little bit of the new food you're trying each day.[11] X Research source Go to source
   • Cats will work for food. You can use a foraging device, which is a puzzle-like device a cat must dismantle to get food trapped inside. This encourages exercise which is also important to help a cat lose weight.[12] X Research source Go to source
   • In nature, cats are pure carnivores. A lot of dry foods are primarily wheat-based and can lead to weight gain if used as a primary food source. Talk to your vet about switching your cat over to canned food.[13] X Research source Go to source

2. 2

   Encourage exercise. Many cats do not get enough exercise. If your cat is an indoor cat, it's especially important he gets moving each day. Buy your cat a variety of toys and take 20 to 30 minutes each night to play with him. Consider getting electronic, interactive toys a cat can use while you're away at work.[14] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Go for diet treats. Treats are also a major culprit when it come to cat weight gain. Try swapping out normal treats for low-calorie diet treats. Your cat won't have to give up a luxury and will still be able to lose some weight.[15] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   Monitor your cat's weight. Keep an eye on your cat's weight to make sure he's losing weight as needed. You can weigh your cat at home, using your own scale. This may not be as accurate as a vet's scale, however. Some veterinary clinics allow you to do free weigh-ins if your cat needs to lose weight. Ask your vet is you can periodically bring your cat in to check his weight.

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 161,493 times.

Co-authors: 12

Updated: May 6, 2021

Views: 161,493

Article Rating: 97% - 36 votes

Categories: Weight Management for Cats

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• "The descriptions for checking for obesity were very helpful, especially the primordial pouch (my male cat has a sizable amount of skin there). I thought it was due to fat loss. Thanks for an easy to understand article."

• "Very helpful. I am very concerned about her gaining weight and this helped me know she's not yet, but I know what to watch for. Thank you for this article."

• "Very practical guide. Thanks. When I adopted Chuck, he looked like a sausage. I dieted him down, but he's always hungry. Poor hungry (but healthy) kitty!"

• "Gave me different options to try at home as taking our cat to vet isn't always convenient and can be costly even for a checkup."

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