Extra weight is one of the most common and most fixable health problems in cats. It affects joints, blood sugar, heart and life expectancy. This guide shows how to check your cat's weight at home and what to do if it needs to change.
How common is overweight?
VCA Animal Hospitals cites the 2022 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention survey, which reported that 61% of cats are overweight. Cats are generally considered overweight when they weigh 10% to 20% above their ideal body weight, and obese when they are more than 20% above it.
Check your cat at home in three steps
- Feel the ribs. Rest your hand just behind the front legs. You should easily feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, about as prominent as the knuckles on the back of your flat hand. If it feels like the fleshy part of your palm, there is too much cover. If the ribs feel sharp like knuckles, your cat may be too thin.
- Look from above. There should be a visible hourglass-shaped waist behind the ribs.
- Feel the hips and tail base. You should feel the bony points under a minimal layer of fat, with no bulging or skin folds.
Vets also use a body condition score. It runs from 1 to 9, where 4 to 5 is ideal, 6 to 7 is overweight and 8 to 9 is obese. Some vets use a 1 to 5 scale where 3 is ideal. Ask your vet to score your cat once, so you know what ideal looks like on your own cat.
Why weight matters
VCA describes obesity as a low-level, long-term inflammatory condition that can shorten a cat's life. In one study it cites, obese cats aged 8 to 12 had a 2.8-fold increase in mortality compared with lean cats. Excess weight raises the risk of:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease and high blood pressure
- Osteoarthritis and faster joint wear (see arthritis in cats)
- Bladder stones
- Cancer
- Complications from anaesthesia
How to help an overweight cat
- See your vet first. Weight gain can have medical causes, and weight loss needs a plan.
- Do not just feed less of the same food. VCA warns this can cause nutrient shortages over time. A calorie-controlled therapeutic diet with a set portion is the most efficient method.
- Measure meals. Be consistent with portions and meal times.
- Limit treats. Keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories.
- Add play. Short, regular sessions with chasing toys help.
- Weigh monthly. Your vet will help check that weight is coming off at a safe pace.
Never put an overweight cat on a crash diet. VCA warns that an obese cat that stops eating is at significant risk of hepatic lipidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening liver condition. If your cat refuses food, call your vet.
What if my older cat is losing weight?
Weight loss in a senior cat is a different problem. It can come from dental pain, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and other conditions, and it is always worth a vet visit. See dental disease, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.
Keep an eye on it for life
Energy needs often drop after spay or neuter, and again as cats age, so portions that suited a young cat may be too much later. Read senior cat health and cat life stages, and see how long cats live.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a cat weigh?
It depends on the cat's frame and breed, so there is no single number. Use the rib and waist checks, and ask your vet for your cat's ideal weight.
How can I tell if my cat is overweight?
If you cannot easily feel the ribs, or there is no waist when seen from above, your cat is probably carrying extra weight.
How fast should an overweight cat lose weight?
Slowly, and under a vet's supervision. Rapid loss is risky for cats. Ask your vet to set a target and check progress with monthly weigh-ins.
Are treats bad for cats?
Not in small amounts. Keep them to no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Not sure how many calories your cat needs? Our daily calorie chart by weight shows the numbers, and the cat feeding guide covers every life stage.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet before changing your cat's diet.