How do I know the ideal cat weight?
Knowing the ideal weight of your cat is important to know whether it is underweight and weak or obese, which exposes it to health problems such as diabetes, and in this article we will tell you what is the normal weight of your cat and how you help your cat lose excess weight.
What is the normal weight of cats?
In general, the normal weight of cats is as follows: Small and medium-sized breeds of cats weigh between 3.5 to 5.5 kilograms.
The weight of large size cat breeds.
Large breeds of cats weigh between 6-8 kilograms. That is, it can be said that the weight of most domestic cats weighs about 5 kilograms, but as we mentioned that this rate varies according to the breed, the Siamese cat may weigh only about 2 kilograms, while the weight of a normal Maine Coon cat may reach 11 kilograms
Normal cat weight
And because the normal weight rate in cats varies from one cat to another, we can know the normal weight or the ideal body condition for cats through the “A body condition score” and its result is more accurate in assessing the ideal weight of the cat. This indicator takes into account the cat's overall build and size.
The weight of the pregnant cat.
Weight of a pregnant cat A cat can carry a cat when it is 4 months old unless it is spayed, and a cat's pregnancy lasts about 63-65 days, so a cat can become a mother when it is only 6 months old. During pregnancy, the cat gains about 1 to 2 kilograms.
cat body condition
The general body condition index for cats The result of the general body condition index for cats ranges from 1 to 9, and is as follows:
Grade 1: The ribs are visible in short-haired cats and there is no palpable fat, the lumbar and iliac vertebrae can be easily felt, and the abdomen is very tight.
Grade 2: The ribs are easily visible in short-haired cats and there is no visible fat, the lumbar vertebrae are clear, and the abdomen is clearly taut.
Grade 3: The ribs can be easily touched and there is a very small amount of fat. The lumbar vertebrae are clear, and there is a small percentage of fat in the abdominal area.
Grade 4: In which the ribs can be felt with a small percentage of fat, and the cat's waist can be distinguished behind the ribs, and the abdomen is slightly tightened, and there is no layer of fat that covers the cotton belly in the normal case. The ideal weight for cats.
Grade 5: It represents the ideal weight of cats, in which the cat's body is well proportioned, and the ribs have a slight fatty cover, and there is a small percentage of fat in the abdomen. The onset of excess weight for cats.
Grade 6: The ribs are palpable with a slight excess of the covering of fat, the abdomen is loose, with a cushion of discernible waist and abdomen fat.
Grade 7: The ribs are imperceptible and there is a medium covering of fat on them, the abdomen is round, and there are fatty deposits over the lower back.
Grade 8: The ribs are not palpable under a dense layer of fat, and there is a clear roundness of the abdomen and a prominent fat pad on it, and there are fatty deposits over the lower back area.
Grade 9: represents obesity; The ribs are imperceptible under a dense layer of fat, and there are fatty deposits over the lower back, face and limbs, and the abdomen is swollen with a large amount of fat in the abdominal area.
How do you help your cat lose extra weight?
If your cat is overweight, replace dry food with canned foods that contain more protein and less starch. Reduce your cat's treat by giving her treats, and try other rewards like making time to play with her.
Make your cat make some effort to get its food, for example, put food in a toy that the cat has to roll or manipulate to get its food, these toys satiate the hunting instinct of cats, and reduce overeating.
Before you diet your cat to lose excess weight, take it to the vet to check it to make sure that it does not suffer from a medical problem that causes weight gain, and you have to be patient, it may take the cat to lose a pound of weight, or about half a kilogram, 6 months, and maybe Duration up to a year.