Healthy Appetite ... or too much ?

Hi,

Just wanted some advice. I dont have to much experience with kittens or cats and I currently have a ten month old Domestic Long haired kitten. Ever since we brought him home he has had a very big appetite, with pretty much anything we give him (He is wormed regularly so its nothing like that). He has dry biscuits available 24 hours and one wet food meal a night. He's a big boy and after comments from our family I decided to weigh him today.
He is currently 5.5 kilograms or 12 pounds... According to most of the websites concerning ideal weight for domestic adult cats they should be more like 8-10 pounds or under 5 kilograms and he isnt even 1 year yet.

Should I be concerned or is he just a growing boy who likes his food?

I wouldn't be concerned, many moggies are over 5kg. There is no ideal for moggies, they come in all shapes and sizes, even with pedigrees there are variances in their weights.

You may want to add an additional wet meal in the morning, wet food is very good for cats. I've never free fed (don't feed dry at all), you could just measure out dry portions to make sure he doesn't get overweight in the future.

Originally Posted by missymotus

I wouldn't be concerned, many moggies are over 5kg. There is no ideal for moggies, they come in all shapes and sizes, even with pedigrees there are variances in their weights.

You may want to add an additional wet meal in the morning, wet food is very good for cats. I've never free fed (don't feed dry at all), you could just measure out dry portions to make sure he doesn't get overweight in the future.

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Also, depending what his mix is, he can just be a big cat... Some long hair cats can be very large... Ragdolls and Maine Coons up to 20lbs... So, it could be that too.
Male kitties tend to be larger...
I have 2 ragdolls, the female is 12lbs, the male is 18lbs but needs to lose a couple, or a few. But Bugsy still has a couple of years growing; I have a feeling his ideal weight will be around 18lbs...
If you can feel your kitty's ribs, and he has a noticeable waist when you look at him from above, he should be fine.
In general kittens are fine, you need to really start watching them after they turn one.

Thanks for your advice guys. He has always been a big boy, since we got him, so maybe thats all it is... Ill keep an eye on him. And just ask the vet next time we are there.

Originally Posted by missymotus

I wouldn't be concerned, many moggies are over 5kg. ... You may want to add an additional wet meal in the morning, wet food is very good for cats. I've never free fed (don't feed dry at all), you could just measure out dry portions to make sure he doesn't get overweight in the future.

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Originally Posted by carolinalima

Also, depending what his mix is, he can just be a big cat... If you can feel your kitty's ribs, and he has a noticeable waist when you look at him from above, he should be fine.

In general kittens are fine, you need to really start watching them after they turn one.

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Sounds like he's just a hungry, growing kitty.

I echo Missymotus on the wet food especially. You might want to consider switching him to an all-wet diet if you can.

I have 5 domestic cats ...

females
age 5.5 yrs wt 8.5-9 lbs( ideal to slightly underweight)

age 5 yrs wt 12-12.5 lbs ( ideal to slightly underweight)

males
age 2 yrs 12lbs ( slightly underweight)

age 2.5 yrs 13.5 ( ideal) his litter mate 14.5lbs ( ideal to slightly overweight)

All are DSH regular kitties and eat the same food...

All wet can help control calories and aids in giving essential s to the kitty...

Please DISCUSS the weight with Your VET ... I thought 3 of my 5 were Overweight and found out NONE were ...