Is My Cat Underweight or Overweight?

 

KITTENS & CATS  -  KITTEN & CAT CARE  -  CAT HEALTH ISSUES  -  CHILDREN & CATS  -  CAT BEHAVIOUR  -   LIST OF CAT BREEDS

 

Like us, being a healthy weight is very important for cats.  See the simple tips and images below to do a basic assessment of your cat's weight and condition.

 

 

Cat is Emaciated

  • The ribs, spine and pelvic bones are visible and can be seen from a distance
  • No muscle mass
  • Very little body fat, or no body fat
  • The cats rump is hollow
  • The cat's waist is very prominent when looking from above
  • The cat has a think neck
  • The cat has no under belly (flank fold), and its abdomen is tucked up
  • Contact your Vet as soon as possible to assess your cat.

 

 

Cat is Underweight / Thin

  • The cats ribs, spine and pelvic bones can be seen and felt easily
  • The cat doesn't have much body fat
  • The neck is thin
  • The cat has no under belly (flank fold), and its abdomen is tucked up
  • The waist is obvious when looked at from above
  • Increase feeding and worm cat if not wormed recently (ensure all-wormer used – some products do not cover all worms).
  • If you haven't wormed recently, treat your cat with all-wormer, and increase the amount you are feeding your cat.   If your cat doesn't gain weight and their condition doesn't improve contact your Vet.

 

 

Ideal Condition

  • You may be able to see the cats last few ribs and their spine and ribs can be felt.  You may also be able to see the cats belly from the side.
  • The cat has a slight waist when looked at from above.
  • The cat has a good amount of muscle.

 

 

Overweight Cat

  • You cannot feel the cats spine and ribs
  • The cat has little or no waist.
  • The belly is clearly visible and when the cat walks it wobbles.
  • Belly and chest rounded
  • Check the quality of cat food, and think about cutting back the amount you are feeding your cat.  Cut out any treats.  Look for cat accessories like cat toys, and types of cat furniture that might lead to an increase in your cat's activity levels. 

     

 

 

Obese Cat

  • No ribs are visible, spine isn't visible and they aren't easy to feel.
  • Even the cat's tail is carrying fat.
  • The cat has no visible waist.
  • The cat's belly hangs and sways when the cat walks and moves.
  • If you have already checked and reduced cat food and tried to get them more active and there is no improvement, contact your local veterinarian for advice on exercise and diet.

 

 

 

Bureau of Animal Welfare