Proper Weight?

I think Daphne is at a healthy weight but she seems a bit thick around the middle. She and Seb share just over a cup of dry food per day (free feeding). I don't measure it, that's just what they eat. They were eating just EVO dry but am now mixing that with California Natural.

She looks a bit torpedo shaped to me. If this is her natural shape, that's wonderful but I don't want her to be unhealthy. I can feel her ribs fine. She is beginning to get the little pouch which is okay, too.

Just need some advice - does she look slightly chubby to anyone else? Could this be a stage? She will be a year old at the end of this month.

Thanks Here are a few photos:

Looking a bit silly


tummy shot:


another tummy shot:

She looks a bit chubby. I'd cut back on the dry food to a 1/3 cup each instead of 1/2 cup each. IMO the Siamese can lose a little weight too

If she's average size she should weigh about 8-9 lbs - no more then 9 - what does she weigh now?

I would not free feed them - put down the dry food for 1/2 hour then take it up - then put it down in the evening for a set time. And feed them in 2 separate bowls - that way you can tell exactly how much they are eating.

The vet is the person that could tell you best if your cats are at the ideal weight or not for their frame. As far as it being a stage, Abby did go through something similar where she just looked huge. It was around the time of her annual vet exam and the vet thought she was a perfect weight. Don't forget that this time of year they have their winter coats and also appear a bit "chunkier". My husband and I had been commenting recently that Abby was looking a bit stout from behind, but at the vet we learned she has lost half a pound. It's apparently all fur.

Actually I don't really trust most vets for knowing what is the proper weight of a cat based on build. I've had vets tell me my cornish rexes should be weighing 8-10 lbs (average size). If my rexes were that weight they would be FAT! Seriously.

So I go by their feel and looks. Charlie should top out at about 12 lbs. I thought he was closer to 11 now cause he feels so solid and heavy. When he was at the vet this past week for shots, he only weighs 10 1/2 lbs - but he seriously feels like more - its just dense muscle on him.

One of my girls looks similar to yours. She turned 10 mo old last week. I tried cutting back on food, but then she started sneaking food from my mother's cat's bowls. I researched this and got the idea that if the cat had a waistline near the hips instead of just a big bulgy gut, they were ok. My cat is very heavy, she weighed 7 lb at 6 mo, but she has a lot of muscle. Her sister is slimmer but doesn't have as much muscle either. I'm planning to ask my vet about it at their 1 yr checkup. They are sharing 3/4 cup California Natural and 3 oz wet food daily.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Actually I don't really trust most vets for knowing what is the proper weight of a cat based on build. I've had vets tell me my cornish rexes should be weighing 8-10 lbs (average size). If my rexes were that weight they would be FAT! Seriously.

So I go by their feel and looks. Charlie should top out at about 12 lbs. I thought he was closer to 11 now cause he feels so solid and heavy. When he was at the vet this past week for shots, he only weighs 10 1/2 lbs - but he seriously feels like more - its just dense muscle on him.

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But her vet would be a better option to tell her the ideal weight for her cat than someone on the internet that is just looking at a picture. Abby can also look a bit overweight in photos, but she is not:




One of our Mods started a thread a while back with some links to how to tell if your cat was overweight:

http://thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143033

There is also an article about it here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/Health/93/...verweight.html

Abby,

That may be true to some extent, but I've shown and bred cats enough to be pretty accurate on looking at pictures of cats and telling if they are overweight or not. I can tell by observing at the cat shows.

Granted I've been surprised a few times, but in general I can tell. Both of her cats (especially the Siamese) could loose a little weight. I just don't trust vets to really know the proper weight!

Your vet would be a better judge of her weight than we would just looking at pictures. It is difficult to know by looking at your cat because her coat also can affect how she looks. My vet and I have had many discussions about Carly because she has a problem with her posture (previous injuries before we adopted her) and she looks fatter than what she is.

Also, if you do determine that she needs to lose weight, it should be under the advice and supervision of your vet. Cats can become quite ill if they lose weight too quickly.

Thank you all I do understand that the vet would be the best option. I often advise the same thing. Just wanted to know if my eyes were working properly I suppose. There is no one in my life that I could ask that would know.

As for Sebastian, a year ago he weighed 14 lbs and is now down to 12 lbs. So he is doing fine. He has loose skin now that may make him look larger, but when he jumps onto my chest for a cuddle, its so much easier to breathe The vet said he was just a bit overweight at 14 lbs, so 12 should be good fighting weight, so to speak.

They both need to go to the vet in two months for their checkups and Seb's teeth cleaning so will know more then. Thanks again

edit: When I look at Seb from above, he has a definite waistline and I can easily feel his ribs. I would be worried if he lost more weight. Daphne, I am still learning about as she grows and she is built differently. I think more interactive play would help her, too.

I too agree with asking the vet. I say this because Bijou and Mika are full brother and sister - she is 8 lbs and not as large as some 8/9 month old kittens I've seen and Bijou is 17+ lbs. I know he needs to lose a bit of weight but certainly not down to 8 or 9 lbs. He is very muscular and active and I think his ideal weight might be between 13-14 lbs.

So basically I'm saying it really depends on any individual cat and only someone who can see and touch/feel them is going to be able to tell you. Besides, don't the Hollywood people say the camera puts on 10 lbs.

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

The vet is the person that could tell you best if your cats are at the ideal weight or not for their frame. As far as it being a stage, Abby did go through something similar where she just looked huge.

It was around the time of her annual vet exam and the vet thought she was a perfect weight.

Don't forget that this time of year they have their winter coats and also appear a bit "chunkier". My husband and I had been commenting recently that Abby was looking a bit stout from behind, but at the vet we learned she has lost half a pound.

It's apparently all fur.

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I am with Abby on this ...

I thought Gigi was Obese turned out she was fine ... ohh and Zoey needs to gain ( okay I knew ) but not near what I thought she did

My kids are chunky too, but my vet said they were fine and i trust their judgement.