Healthy Cat Weight Chart by Age & Breed

fat cat sitting next to a weighing scale

New data reports that a shocking 61% of felines are either overweight or obese.¹ Excessive weight gain in cats opens the door to a tremendous world of health problems for our four-legged friends, but underweight cats also have their fair share of health concerns to contend with.

While the healthy cat weight for most domestic felines is between 8 and 12 pounds (3.6-5.4 kg), several factors impact how heavy a cat should be, including age, breed, gender, medical history, and more.

If you’re wondering “How heavy should my cat be,” we’ll go over all these variables throughout the course of this article. We’ve also included a handy cat weight chart by age and breed that you can use to see how your pet measures up.

Keep reading for a comprehensive breakdown of the ideal cat weight or click on a link below to jump straight to the information you’re looking for.

Table of Contents:

How Much Should a Cat Weigh?
Average Cat Weight Chart by Age
Average Cat Weight Chart by Breed
Average Weight of a Male Cat vs Female Cat
How Health Issues Impact Cat Weight
The Importance of Weight Management for Cats
How to Tell if Your Cat Is Overweight or Underweight
Weight Loss Tips For Fat Cats
Weight Gain Tips For Thin Cats
How to Maintain the Ideal Cat Weight
Cat Weight FAQs

How Much Should a Cat Weigh?

Most domestic cats should weigh between 8-12 pounds. However, there are multiple factors that impact average cat weight. Determining how much a cat should weigh will depend on the following information:

Age
Breed
Gender
Medical history

Cat Weight Chart by Age

The ranges provided below are a helpful benchmark but it should be noted that they do not account for your pet’s body condition, diet, and daily routine.

Cat Age (years)	Healthy Weight
0.5	5 lb
1	8 lb
2	9 lb
3-16	10-12 lb

If you’re wondering how heavy a cat should be by age, younger pets tend to be on the lighter end of the spectrum. Obesity in cats is more common in older pets due to decreased activity.

Cat Weight Chart by Breed

The healthy weight for a cat also varies by breed, in addition to age, gender, and medical history. For example, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) recommends the following weight ranges as ideal for different cat breeds:²

Cat Breed	Average Weight
Siamese	5-10 lb
Persian	7-12 lb
Domestic Shorthair	8-10 lbs
Bengal	8-15 lb
Maine Coon	10-25 lb

For example, a Maine Coone can be considered healthy at 20 pounds, whereas a Siamese cat shouldn't weigh more than 10.

Average Weight of a Male Cat vs Female Cat

Gender also plays an important role in how heavy your feline friend is. In general, males tend to be bigger and heavier than females. For example, a Siamese male cat weighs between 11-15 pounds, whereas a female weighs from 8-12 pounds.

Another crucial factor is your cat's reproductive status. Cats who haven't been spayed or neutered typically have faster metabolisms, making it simpler for them to maintain a healthy weight.

Most veterinarians concur that cats who have been spayed or neutered tend to gain weight more quickly. Following spaying or neutering, it is recommended that you reduce the amount of food you feed your cat.

How Health Issues Impact Cat Weight

In some cases, atypical weight gain or weight loss is associated with health issues in cats that might require specific treatment.

Feline Health Conditions That Contribute to Weight Gain

If your cat eats a healthy diet and gets proper exercise but still seems to be gaining weight, it is possible that they have one of the following underlying medical conditions:

Arthritis
Acromegaly
Hypothyroidism

Feline Health Conditions That Contribute to Weight Loss

Similarly, if you see your pet is rapidly losing weight, it can be a sign of a serious medical condition that can reduce appetite and result in weight loss, such as:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
Hyperthyroidism
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Pancreatitis
Dental disease
Respiratory disease
Conditions that cause pain like osteoarthritis

If your cat has stopped eating altogether, be sure to get in touch with your vet immediately, even if there’s no weight loss. Hepatic lipidosis, also known as "fatty liver," is a dangerous illness that can affect cats who have stopped eating, especially obese cats. This liver ailment calls for rapid medical attention since it can cause serious health problems.

The Importance of Weight Management for Cats

Obesity is one of the most common health issues in cats, which places them at increased risk of developing secondary health issues that could severely impact their quality of life. Some examples include:

Diabetes
Arthritis
Pancreatitis
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Hepatic lipidosis
Urinary problems
Hyperthermia
GI issues
Skin and joint problems.

Research has also shown that overweight cats also have a shorter life span, with a life expectancy of just five to 10 years (five years shorter than their healthy counterparts).

Tragically, after a certain amount of time, the odds of an overweight cat losing weight become very slim, which is why pet parents need to proactively manage their cat’s weight before it’s “too late.”

How to Tell if Your Cat Is Overweight or Underweight

There are a few different ways to find out how your pet compares to the average cat's weight in his or her demographic.

First, step on a scale and weigh yourself. Then, pick up your cat, get back on the scale, and subtract the first weight measurement from the second one to calculate the difference and see how heavy your cat is.

You can also refer to our cat weight chart above to see where your feline friend falls but remember that these ranges can be limited and not a true indication of whether your cat’s weight is heavier or lighter than the ideal weight.

Body Condition Score Chart

A better way to Identify under or overweight cats is by using the body condition score (BCS) system. The BCS is what vets use to visually and physically assess whether a feline is fit and healthy. BCS rates cats from 1 to 9, with 1 designating a cat that is severely underweight and 9 designating obesity.

The cats with BCS of 1-3 are underweight and have ribs that are either obvious or palpable.
A cat with an ideal weight should have a score of 4, with minimal belly fat and a thin layer of fat covering the ribs.
Cats with a BCS score of 5 to 9 are deemed overweight/obese, with fat deposited in the lower back region, imperceptible waist, and extra fat covering their ribs.

Ultimately, your primary care veterinarian will be your best source of information when it comes to your cat’s weight management journey. They can tell you exactly how much weight your cat needs to lose or gain to improve its health and overall quality of life.

Weight Loss Tips For Fat Cats

The first thing to do when addressing your feline’s obesity is to make sure that they are eating the right food for their age. A neutered or senior cat diet, for instance, will offer better calorie control.

Talk to your veterinarian about weight loss diets that contain all the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals while consuming fewer calories. In addition, be sure to reduce treats and steer clear of giving your pet any human food. Consider moving your pet’s food bowl to different areas of the home in order to encourage movement during meals.

Playing games with your cat will increase exercise, which will help your cat burn calories. Provide enough vertical climbing surfaces and rotate a variety of toys.

How to Stop a Cat from Eating too Much

If your cat is eating too much, here are a few tips to help you reduce their food intake:

Don't let your cat free-feed or fill the food bowls anytime they are empty. Maintain a regular eating schedule instead. One or two meals per day are plenty for healthy adult cats.
Be mindful of the food's nutritional content. Even if your cat consumes a lot of food, they could still not be receiving all the necessary nutrients. Change to a cat food of a higher quality that contains the vitamins and minerals your cat needs to stay healthy.
Use measuring scoops and adhere to the serving size suggested by your veterinarian or the label.
Use a feeding toy that releases food as your cat plays with it or a slow-feeding bowl. This way, your cat won't just consume less food, but they'll also get some exercise as a result.

Weight Gain Tips For Thin Cats

If your cat needs to gain a few pounds, start by checking the quality of their food. It's crucial to feed underweight cats a nutrient and calorie-dense diet that is high in protein. Try out several flavors and food types, both dry and wet, to see which ones they prefer.

You should also try giving your cat little meals throughout the day rather than huge meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if they aren't a big eater.

How to Get an Underweight Cat to Eat

The following tips can help your cat put on a few much-needed pounds:

Feed your cat canned food. Because it has more moisture, canned food has a more alluring flavor and aroma for your cat than dry food.
Slightly warm your cat’s food to increase its aroma and make it more appealing.
Try hand-feeding your feline friend to encourage them to eat more. Petting might also help.
Separate the litter box from the food and drink bowls to simulate your cat’s natural behavior.

If your cat still refuses to eat, have them checked by a vet to ensure that there isn’t an underlying health condition causing the loss of appetite.

How to Maintain the Ideal Cat Weight

Once your cat has reached an ideal weight, you’ll need to make sure to maintain that weight. Here’s some advice that will help:

Don’t overfeed your cat. Choose a healthy-weight cat food and set a regular feeding schedule.
Limit the number of treats they eat and avoid offering food that's bad for cats due to its high sugar or fat content
Consult your vet to determine whether your cat now needs a vitamin, mineral, or high-calorie supplement.

Regular weight checks at the vet's office are the best way to ensure that your cat’s ideal weight is maintained. Annual pet checks will give your vet the chance to measure weight loss or gain that you might not notice at home.

Final Thoughts

Pet insurance can be very helpful in paying the costs of vet care for your cat for obesity-related illnesses. Some pet wellness plans also cover supplements that you might give your cat to help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Most vets agree that pet insurance is worth it, but it is very important to choose the right provider that satisfies your cat’s needs. Use Pawlicy Advisor to compare quotes from top pet insurance providers and prepare for the unexpected.

Cat Weight FAQs

Are cats supposed to be big?

Most domestic cats should weigh about 10 pounds, but some cat breeds, such as the long and large Savannah and the muscular Maine Coon, are naturally bigger in size and still healthy.

Why are some cats heavier than others?

A cat’s weight depends on factors like anatomical breed differences, bone structures, etc. In addition, certain risk factors make some cats more likely to gain weight; for example, obesity is a great health risk for indoor cats.

How much is too heavy for a cat?

According to APOP, cats who are 10-20% over their ideal body weight are considered overweight, whereas cats who are 20% and over are considered obese.

Why is my cat losing weight?

Unintentional weight loss is a nonspecific sign that can have many causes, such as food allergies, GI infections, IBD, etc. If you notice that your cat is losing weight even though they’re eating well, be sure to call your vet.

References:

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), “2022 Survey” Accessed Oct. 1, 2024.
APOP, “Ideal Weight Ranges” Accessed Oct. 1, 2024.

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