How To Determine if Your Cat is Overweight

Is your cat overweight? Your immediate answer might be "no", but the fact is, many housecats are overweight. Feline obesity can cause a range of health issues, just like it does in humans. Remember that you are in control of what your cat eats; if your cat is overweight, it is especially important to monitor what and how much he is eating, and to provide the right diet to get his weight under control. Here's how to determine if your cat is overweight:

1. A simple visual inspection. Most of us have a fairly good idea of what a healthy cat should look like. Is your cat visibly overweight? Be honest with yourself when appraising your cat's weight. There are also online charts showing cats at various weight stages; compare these charts to your cat to determine whether your cat is overweight, underweight, or just about right.
2. Feel the cat's ribs. At the appropriate weight, you should be able to feel your cat's ribs fairly easily, but they should not be visibly sticking out. You should not be able to see each distinct rib, but you should be able to feel them with only a slight layer of fat over them.
3. View your cat from above. From above, you should be able to see some indentation between the hips and the rib cage, creating an hourglass shape. If your cat bulges out in this area instead, and your cat is wider between the ribs and hips than either the ribs or the hips, then your cat is overweight.
4. Feel your cat's belly. Some overweight cats develop a hanging area of fat. This is sometimes called an "apron," and it's a sign that your cat is overweight. When viewed from the side, the area behind the ribs should not come down so close to the ground as the chest or rib area. Overweight animals will have a hanging stomach instead of this slope, known as "abdominal tuck."
5. Consult a veterinarian. Your cat's vet has seen hundreds of overweight cats, and can tell very quickly whether your cat is at the appropriate weight. The veterinarian can provide weight guidelines for your cat according to his frame size, gender, and breed. Vets will often rate your cat on a 9 point scoring system, from 1 (extremely thin; emaciated) to 9 (grossly overweight, resulting in significant health issues).

It is absolutely crucial not to let your cat become overweight. Overweight cats often have multiple health issues. Even just one extra pound on a cat can cause significant issues. As a responsible pet owner, be sure that you are monitoring your cat's food intake and weight to keep him as healthy as possible. In many households, free feeding (or leaving a bowl of cat food out 24/7) leads to overweight cats.