Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by admin
If you’re wondering if your cat is overweight, there are a few telltale signs you can look for. Begin by looking down at your cat when they are standing. You should be able to see their waistline from a top view as well as a slight upward indentation from their hips where their waist should be (this can be a bit tricky with long-haired cats). Additionally, when you run your hand along your cat’s side, you should be able to easily feel their ribs if they are at the correct weight. If you don’t feel the ribs and instead feel thick padding, this is an indication that your pet may be overweight. If you think that your cat may be overweight, make an appointment to see your veterinarian for an accurate assessment. Your vet can access your cat’s current weight and let you know if they are at a healthy weight or not.
Look Down at Your Cat When They Are Standing
When looking down at your cat while they are standing, you should be able to spot a slight indentation above the hips, resembling a waist. If you can’t see any indentation, or if it is not easily visible, then your cat may be overweight. You can also try running your hands along your kitty’s side and taking note of the thickness of the padding on the rib cage. If there is too much padding or if it feels quite thick, then your cat might be carrying too much weight. It is also a good idea to compare your cat with other cats of the same breed. This will help you determine whether or not your cat’s weight falls within a healthy range for their breed.
Ribs: Run Your Hands Along Your Cat’s Side
One way to tell if your cat is overweight is to run your hands along their side. Gently feel for their ribs, and if you can’t feel them or if there is a layer of fat covering them, it’s a sign that your cat might be overweight. Next, look down at your cat from directly above while they are standing. Try to spot a small indentation above the hips, as this can indicate that your cat has an ideal weight. Lastly, run your hands along the rib cage to see if you can feel any thickness in the padding or if the ribs are easily felt. It’s important to compare with other cats of the same breed, as this can help you determine whether or not your cat is overweight.
View Your Cat from Above
When viewing your cat from above, you should be able to see a slight indentation just above their hips. This is what is known as a waist – and it’s a sign that your cat is at a healthy weight. If you can’t see an indentation, or if your cat’s body starts to round out, it could indicate that they are overweight. Additionally, if there is a bulge at the waist or the padding on their rib cage is thicker than normal, this could be a sign of obesity. It’s important to take note of these details, as being overweight can lead to long-term health issues for cats.
Make an Appointment with Your Veterinarian
If you are still concerned that your cat may be overweight, bring them in for an exam with your veterinarian. Your vet can provide a specific diagnosis and give you tips on how to help your cat maintain a healthy weight. Their expertise and diagnosis can help you provide the best care for your cat.
Feel Along Her Rib Cage
Once you have taken a look at your cat from the side and above, it is also important to physically feel along their rib cage. Gently run your hands along their sides, starting at the base of their neck and ending at the hips. If they are a healthy weight, you should be able to feel their ribs without having to press too firmly. If you can only feel the ribs by pressing, this could be an indication that they are overweight.
Check for an Indentation Above the Hips
When it comes to determining if your cat is overweight, checking for an indentation above the hips can be a helpful indicator. To do this, stand over your cat while they are standing and look down at them. You should be able to spot a slight indentation just above the hips resembling a waist. If you can’t feel the waist indentation and there is a rounding to the belly area, your cat is likely to be overweight. It’s best to move your hand over the area to check for a tuck in the area where the ribs meet the hips. If you can’t feel any tuck, then it’s likely that your cat is overweight.
Note the Thickness of the Padding on the Rib Cage
If you feel your cat’s rib cage, the padding on healthy cats will be about as thick as that on the back of your hand. If there is a substantial layer of fat over the ribs, your cat is likely to be overweight. However, it’s important to note that some cats have more padding than others, so be sure to compare with other cats of the same breed. Additionally, if you notice an indentation above your cat’s hips, this could also be an indication of excess weight. If you’re concerned about your cat’s weight, it’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a professional opinion.
Compare with Other Cats of the Same Breed
It is also a good idea to compare your cat’s weight with other cats of the same breed. This will give you a better idea of whether your cat’s weight is ideal or not. Typically, a healthy adult cat should weigh twice as much as a kitten. If your cat is heavier than this, they may be overweight. You can also look at photos of cats of the same breed to compare your cat’s size and shape. This will give you an idea of whether or not your cat’s size and shape are typical for their breed. If you are still unsure about your cat’s weight, make an appointment with your vet for a professional opinion.
Monitor Their Eating Habits
It’s important to pay attention to your cat’s eating habits, as they can be one of the most telling signs of whether or not your cat is overweight. If your cat is eating more than usual and still not losing weight, then it’s likely they are overweight. Monitoring how much your cat eats and how often they go for seconds can help you determine if they are overeating. Additionally, look out for signs of food aggression, which can occur when cats become overly attached to their food. If you notice any of these behaviors, it may be a sign that your cat is carrying extra weight.
Consider Their Activity Level
It’s important to consider your cat’s activity level when assessing their weight status. Cats with a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to become overweight or obese than cats that are active and engaged in regular physical activity. Even if your cat is eating the right amount of food, if they aren’t getting enough exercise, they may be prone to weight gain. Therefore, it’s important to monitor how much time your cat spends sleeping and how much time they spend engaging in physical activity. If your cat isn’t getting enough exercise, then you may need to consider introducing more playtime or interactive toys into their routine.
How to Monitor Your Cat’s Weight for Health
It’s important to monitor your cat’s weight for health reasons. The best way to do this is to weigh your cat at home with a digital scale designed for babies. This will allow you to track gradual weight loss or gain, which can be difficult to recognize in cats. Additionally, you should check their body condition score by gently running your hands over their ribs and back. You should be able to feel their ribs under a very small layer of fat. When feeding your cat, make sure that the food is labeled for their species and age. Exercise, play, and food changes can also help if your cat has a weight issue. Lastly, monitoring a weekly weight on older cats can be very useful in monitoring their health. Some self-cleaning litter boxes have a feature to weigh cats when they use the litter box. It will track weight and save all the data inside the app so you can stay on top of things.