Average weight of a cat. What is the normal weight of a domestic cat?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Pets, like people, can experience weight problems. Cats living in city apartments often lead an inactive lifestyle, and they get too much food. As a result, the pet develops an excess of fat cells, which negatively affect the overall he alth. Animals experience problems with cardiac activity, are prone to developing arthritis and other pathologies of internal organs. Therefore, the weight of a cat must be maintained within certain limits, and for this you should know the accepted norms, depending on age and breed.

Visual inspection

To determine the condition of the animal, it is necessary to carefully examine its physique. The state of the limbs and abdomen is determined when looking at the profile, the lumbar region and waist are assessed when viewed from above. The weight of a cat can also be "calculated" with manual palpation. For this, fingers are probedrib region. Moreover, if the bones stick out at the slightest pressure, then the animal is malnourished, if it is necessary to make an effort to probe them, then most likely the pet is obese.

After the ribs, the waist and abdomen area is estimated. In a cat, it is very sensitive, so care must be taken when palpating. If you run two palms from the waist to the pelvic bones, you should get the shape of an hourglass. If this sensation does not arise, then the weight of the cat is most likely overweight.

Next, the stomach is examined. Softness should be felt under the fingers. But if it hangs heavily or is swollen, then nutritional adjustment is necessary. A hollow belly indicates a lack of nutrition or illness.

Lack of weight and its causes

If a cat's hip bones and ribs are visible, and the spine has a minimal layer of fat, then the animal is underweight. At the same time, the neck is thin, the stomach is sunken and the limbs have an unhe althy appearance. In this case, the pet should be shown to a specialist for the appointment of clinical nutrition and clarification of the problem. Worms are often the cause of weight loss.

You can also determine the lack of weight by the following signs:

• protruding ribs, easily palpable when stroking;
• layer of fat is minimal or absent;
• muscle mass is poorly palpable;
• vertebrae visible;
• abdominal fold is poorly palpable, the stomach is sunken.

Obesity and problem solving

Weightcats are considered overweight if the waist is not palpable, the ribs are covered with a layer of fat, the abdomen protrudes and has a spherical shape. Fat deposits can also be seen on the limbs, in the lower back and muzzle. To help the animal, you should contact your veterinarian for the appointment of corrective nutrition and recommendations for physical activity.

If the breeder decides to act independently, it is important to observe the principle of gradualness. Sudden weight loss can lead to he alth problems, which are already weakened in a cat. The diet should be less high-calorie. It is best to choose a special medical food for obese animals.

It is important to prevent overeating and control your pet's diet. Therefore, of course, it is possible to pamper an animal with a treat, but it is important to observe reasonableness. Obesity brings to the life of a cat not only discomfort during movement, but also fraught with the development of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure and joint problems.

Normal animal weight

The weight of an adult cat may vary depending on the breed. To determine the normal parameters, experts use specially developed data. But the given parameters should be taken as information for reflection, because they may differ depending on the individual characteristics of the animal, its gender and state of he alth. For example, the weight of a British cat has several standards. If a shorthair can weigh from 4 to 8 kg, thenfor long-haired, the norm is from 3 to 7 kg. The following are average weight data for popular cat breeds.

• Bengal - 3.5-6.8 kg.
• Bombay - 3.0–6.0 kg.
• Cornish Rex - 3.0-5.0 kg.
• Siamese - 3.0–5.0 kg.
• Maine Coon - 4.0-10.0 kg.
• Scottish - 2.7-6.0 kg.

As you can see, the weight of the Scottish cat and the Maine Coon has a large range. Therefore, in addition to standards, one must be guided by both age and visual inspection. And the above norms show only the lower and upper limits.

Normal weight cat

An animal of normal weight has a harmoniously built body and a well-defined waist. If you look at the cat from above, then its body resembles an hourglass. The ribs are palpable, but do not bulge and are devoid of a large layer of fat. Side view showing a well tucked up belly.

However, visual inspection should take into account the characteristics of the breed. If some cats look sophisticated, then others are always heavy and stocky. It happens that the breed standard does not exclude the presence of a small abdominal fold.

Ideal weight

Before you put an animal on a diet or, on the contrary, fatten it, you should familiarize yourself with the standards and characteristics of the breed to which the cat belongs. Sizes and weights also vary by gender.

Thus, males of the Make-Coon, Ragamuffin and British Shorthair can weigh up to 10-12 kg, and yet they will not show signs of obesity. Females always weigh less. Here is the Japanese BobtailPeterbald or Cornish Rex cannot be heavier than 5 kg. Females weigh even less - 2-3 kg.

Conclusion

Active growth of a cat and weight gain occurs up to a year. An ordinary domestic cat, excluding breed, weighs an average of 3–6 kg. Females are always lighter by 2–3 kg. If a pet is diagnosed with a lack or excess weight, it is recommended to take it to the veterinarian to find out the cause and eliminate it. The specialist will also recommend the right diet that promotes normal digestion and satisfies the pet with all the necessary nutrients.

Overweight or underweight always signals he alth problems. Exceeding the norm causes malfunctions in cardiac activity, can provoke the development of diabetes, gives complications to the joints and reduces life expectancy.

Lack of weight is manifested not only due to poor nutrition. It may signal some problems. The causes can be worms, metabolic disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and even cancer.