{"id":3008,"date":"2023-01-19T13:37:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T13:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/?p=3008"},"modified":"2023-01-19T13:37:43","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T13:37:43","slug":"how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Tell If Your Cat Is Overweight"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Look_Down_at_Your_Cat_When_They_Are_Standing\" title=\"Look Down at Your Cat When They Are Standing\">Look Down at Your Cat When They Are Standing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Ribs_Run_Your_Hands_Along_Your_Cats_Side\" title=\"Ribs: Run Your Hands Along Your Cat\u2019s Side\">Ribs: Run Your Hands Along Your Cat\u2019s Side<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#View_Your_Cat_from_Above\" title=\"View Your Cat from Above\">View Your Cat from Above<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Make_an_Appointment_with_Your_Veterinarian\" title=\"Make an Appointment with Your Veterinarian\">Make an Appointment with Your Veterinarian<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Feel_Along_Her_Rib_Cage\" title=\"Feel Along Her Rib Cage\">Feel Along Her Rib Cage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Check_for_an_Indentation_Above_the_Hips\" title=\"Check for an Indentation Above the Hips\">Check for an Indentation Above the Hips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Note_the_Thickness_of_the_Padding_on_the_Rib_Cage\" title=\"Note the Thickness of the Padding on the Rib Cage\">Note the Thickness of the Padding on the Rib Cage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Compare_with_Other_Cats_of_the_Same_Breed\" title=\"Compare with Other Cats of the Same Breed\">Compare with Other Cats of the Same Breed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Monitor_Their_Eating_Habits\" title=\"Monitor Their Eating Habits\">Monitor Their Eating Habits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#Consider_Their_Activity_Level\" title=\"Consider Their Activity Level\">Consider Their Activity Level<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-overweight\/#How_to_Monitor_Your_Cats_Weight_for_Health\" title=\"How to Monitor Your Cat\u2019s Weight for Health\">How to Monitor Your Cat\u2019s Weight for Health<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>If you\u2019re 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-run-in-front-of-you\/\">run your hand along your cat\u2019s<\/a> side, you should be able to easily feel their ribs if they are at the correct weight. If you don\u2019t 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-hate-the-vet\/\">vet can access your cat\u2019s<\/a> current weight and let you know if they are at a healthy weight or not.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"lookdownatyourcatwhentheyarestanding\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_Down_at_Your_Cat_When_They_Are_Standing\"><\/span>Look Down at Your Cat When They Are Standing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When looking down at your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-stand-on-their-hind-legs\/\">cat while they are standing<\/a>, you should be able to spot a slight indentation above the hips, resembling a waist. If you can\u2019t 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\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/american-cat-breeds-a-complete-list\/\">cats of the same breed<\/a>. This will help you determine whether or not your cat\u2019s weight falls within a healthy range for their breed.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ribs:runyourhandsalongyourcatsside\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ribs_Run_Your_Hands_Along_Your_Cats_Side\"><\/span>Ribs: Run Your Hands Along Your Cat\u2019s Side<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One way to <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-has-ear-mites\/\">tell if your cat<\/a> is overweight is to run your hands along their side. Gently feel for their ribs, and if you can\u2019t feel them or if there is a layer of fat covering them, it\u2019s 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\u2019s important to compare with other cats of the same breed, as this can help you determine whether or not your cat is overweight.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"viewyourcatfromabove\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"View_Your_Cat_from_Above\"><\/span>View Your Cat from Above<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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 &#8211; and it\u2019s a sign that your cat is at a healthy weight. If you can\u2019t see an indentation, or if your cat\u2019s 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\u2019s important to take note of these details, as being overweight can lead to long-term health issues for cats.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"makeanappointmentwithyourveterinarian\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_an_Appointment_with_Your_Veterinarian\"><\/span>Make an Appointment with Your Veterinarian<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are still concerned that your cat may be overweight, bring them in for an exam with your veterinarian. Your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/cat-sneeze\/\">vet can provide a specific diagnosis and give you tips on how to help your cat<\/a> maintain a healthy weight. Their expertise and diagnosis can help you provide the best care for your cat.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"feelalongherribcage\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Feel_Along_Her_Rib_Cage\"><\/span>Feel Along Her Rib Cage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"checkforanindentationabovethehips\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_for_an_Indentation_Above_the_Hips\"><\/span>Check for an Indentation Above the Hips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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\u2019t feel the waist indentation and there is a rounding to the belly area, your cat is likely to be overweight. It\u2019s 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\u2019t feel any tuck, then it\u2019s likely that your cat is overweight.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"notethethicknessofthepaddingontheribcage\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Note_the_Thickness_of_the_Padding_on_the_Rib_Cage\"><\/span>Note the Thickness of the Padding on the Rib Cage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you feel your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/can-cats-eat-ribs\/\">cat\u2019s rib<\/a> 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\u2019s 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\u2019s hips, this could also be an indication of excess weight. If you\u2019re concerned about your cat\u2019s weight, it\u2019s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a professional opinion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"comparewithothercatsofthesamebreed\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Compare_with_Other_Cats_of_the_Same_Breed\"><\/span>Compare with Other Cats of the Same Breed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is also a good idea to compare your cat\u2019s weight with other cats of the same breed. This will give you a better idea of whether your cat\u2019s 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\u2019s size and shape. This will give you an idea of whether or not your cat\u2019s size and shape are typical for their breed. If you are still unsure about your cat\u2019s weight, make an appointment with your vet for a professional opinion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"monitortheireatinghabits\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Monitor_Their_Eating_Habits\"><\/span>Monitor Their Eating Habits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s important to pay attention to your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/can-cats-eat-scorpions\/\">cat\u2019s eating<\/a> habits, as they can be one of the most telling signs of whether or not your cat is overweight. If your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/can-cats-eat-lobster\/\">cat is eating<\/a> more than usual and still not losing weight, then it\u2019s likely they are overweight. Monitoring how much your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-often-should-a-sphynx-cat-eat\/\">cat eats and how often<\/a> they go for seconds can help you determine if they are overeating. Additionally, look out for signs of food aggression, which can occur when <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wet-cat-food-cats-cant-resist\/\">cats become overly attached to their food<\/a>. If you notice any of these behaviors, it may be a sign that your cat is carrying extra weight.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"considertheiractivitylevel\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consider_Their_Activity_Level\"><\/span>Consider Their Activity Level<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s important to consider your cat\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/can-cats-eat-papaya\/\">cat is eating<\/a> the right amount of food, if they aren\u2019t getting enough exercise, they may be prone to weight gain. Therefore, it\u2019s important to monitor how much time your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-walk-on-you-while-you-sleep\/\">cat spends sleeping<\/a> and how much time they spend engaging in physical activity. If your cat isn\u2019t getting enough exercise, then you may need to consider introducing more playtime or interactive toys into their routine.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"howtomonitoryourcatsweightforhealth\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Monitor_Your_Cats_Weight_for_Health\"><\/span>How to Monitor Your Cat\u2019s Weight for Health<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s important to monitor your cat\u2019s weight for health reasons. The best way to do this is to weigh your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/can-cats-eat-baby-food\/\">cat at home with a digital scale designed for babies<\/a>. This will allow you to track gradual weight loss or gain, which can be difficult to <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/do-cats-recognize-faces\/\">recognize in cats<\/a>. 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/is-cat-food-bad-for-dogs\/\">food changes can also help if your cat<\/a> has a weight issue. Lastly, monitoring a weekly weight on older cats can be very useful in monitoring their health. Some self-cleaning <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-often-should-you-change-cat-litter\/\">litter boxes have a feature to weigh cats<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"modified_by":"admin","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat.jpg",1536,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat.jpg",1536,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat.jpg",1536,1024,false],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/overweight_cat-120x120.jpg",120,120,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"If you\u2019re 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&hellip;","_wp_old_slug":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3008"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3008\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}