Is my cat overweight? A 1 minute check at home
Three checks with your hands and eyes, and what to do if the answer is yes.
To tell if your cat is overweight, run a flat hand along its side, look down from above, then look from the side. If the ribs are hard to feel under a layer of fat, there is no waist behind the ribs and the belly rounds out or hangs, your cat is likely above its ideal weight.
A waist behind the ribs, and the belly tucks up.
Straight sides from above, and a rounded belly.
| Check | Healthy weight | Overweight |
|---|---|---|
| Ribs (flat hand along the side) | Easy to feel under a thin layer | Need pressure to feel, or cannot feel them |
| From above | Visible waist behind the ribs | Straight or bulging sides |
| From the side | Belly tucks up slightly | Belly rounded or hanging |
Two or three answers in the right column point to a body condition score of 6 or more. The body condition score chart shows every score.
Need your food's label numbers? Look them up in the cat food calorie database: Hill's Science Diet calories, Fancy Feast calories, Purina Pro Plan calories, Tiki Cat calories, 9Lives calories, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets calories.
Why do so many owners miss it?
Extra weight comes on slowly, and a round cat looks normal when you see it every day. In the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2022 survey, vets classed 61% of US cats as overweight or obese, and 28% of owners of those cats rated their cat's body as normal.
Is a belly flap always fat?
Not always. Many cats have a flap of loose skin between the back legs that swings when they walk, even at a healthy weight. Fat feels different: it is spread over the ribs, the back and the belly, and you cannot feel the ribs easily. If the ribs and waist pass the check, a small flap alone is not a sign of overweight.
What should I do if my cat is overweight?
- Count the treats. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories. The treat calorie calculator shows your budget.
- Measure the food. Weigh dry food in grams instead of using a scoop.
- Feed meals. Switch from a bowl that is always full to set meals.
- Weigh every 2 weeks. Write the number down so you can see the trend.
- Go slowly. Cats should not lose weight too fast. The cat weight loss guide has safe rates.
When should I see a vet?
Please check with your vet soon if your cat scores 8 or 9, if weight changes quickly without a change in food, or if appetite or thirst change. Ask before you cut food a lot, especially for seniors, kittens and cats on a special diet.
Questions
How overweight is my cat?
Each body condition point above 5 means roughly 10% extra weight. A cat that scores 7 is about 20% above its ideal weight. The ideal cat weight chart turns that into kg and lb.
Is my cat fat or just fluffy?
Feel, don't look. Press a flat hand gently through the coat along the side. If you feel each rib easily, it is mostly fur. If you need to press to find them, it is fat.
Do indoor cats get overweight more easily?
Often, yes. Indoor and neutered cats tend to burn fewer calories, so the same portion can lead to slow weight gain. Measuring food and weighing your cat regularly helps catch it early.
Sources
- Association for Pet Obesity Prevention: 2022 pet obesity survey
- WSAVA: Body condition score chart for cats (PDF)
- AAHA: 2014 weight management guidelines for dogs and cats
Related guides
Estimate only. Check with your vet. BowlMath gives a practical starting estimate, not veterinary advice. Cats should not lose weight too fast. Ask your vet before changing food a lot, and for kittens, seniors, pregnant or nursing cats, cats on special diets, or cats gaining or losing weight unexpectedly.