How much should a cat weigh?

How much your adult pet should weigh varies from cat to cat. However, by looking at a cat’s body, you can tell whether it’s in good shape – essential for its wellbeing – or whether it needs to gain or lose weight.

Use Bozita’s guide to work out how much your cat should weigh. With the help of our guide, you can see if your cat has the right weight for a healthy and active life.

CAT BODY SHAPE ASSESSMENT GUIDE

You should check your cat’s body shape whilst weighing it. Even if your cat’s in good shape according to this guide, you should regularly weigh your cat to make sure they maintain the correct weight. The most effective way to keep your cat at a healthy weight is to know how heavy it should be and weigh it often (about once a week). Bozita’s cat body shape assessment guide is divided into five grades – severely underweight, underweight, ideal weight, overweight and severely overweight – with illustrations and descriptions to help you determine what grade your cat meets and if it needs to gain or lose weight. If you’re still not sure about your cat’s weight, you can always contact your vet. It’s also a good idea to weigh your cat at regular intervals to be aware of whether it’s gaining or losing weight.

Download the body shape assessment guide as a PDF

HOW MUCH SHOULD A CAT EAT?

You can find help on how much your cat should eat, by looking at the feeding guide on all our foods. The feeding guide displays the daily ration for your cat.

• Bozita cat food – Swedish-produced and natural cat food
• Bozita dry food for cats
• Bozita wet food for cats

TIPS FOR SPEEDING UP A CAT’S METABOLISM

In order to speed up your cat’s metabolism and improve its physical health, in addition to adjusting its food, you can encourage physical activity. Exercise is an important part of a healthy cat’s life and a great way to get rid of excess calories. Your cat may need a little encouragement to play and be active, especially if it’s an adult, and if it has difficulty moving due to its weight, it’s a good idea to start small and increase the amount of activity gradually. Make sure it has plenty of different types of toys to play with. It can quickly get bored of individual toys! Cat trees and other toys that allow a cat to hunt its food encourage natural instincts and spontaneous movement. A good pet stores will have a large selection of fun toys, but you can also make your own with the help of everyday items you have at home.

DISEASES AND PROBLEMS THAT CAN KILL AN OVERWEIGHT CAT

Cats can get sick as a result of being overweight or obese. Fatty liver, diabetes, urinary stones, heart disease, difficulty breathing, asthma, bladder cancer and osteoarthritis can shorten a cat’s life. As heavy cats find it more difficult to move, they can also lose the desire to play and find it difficult to maintain personal hygiene, which can lead to fur and skin problems. Overweight cats are a major animal welfare problem in Sweden and are usually due to overfeeding. So remember, in the long run, the kindest thing you can do to your cat is withhold that extra treat or snack. Instead, reward your cat with fun toys, some stroking or a nice brush.