How much weight should my cat gain?

When I brought my baby to the vet back in March I asked about his weight. She said he should lose a pound. I found him on the streets back in November and he weighed 4.8lbs. In March he was at 13.9lbs. I can't tell if he's lost any weight or gained anymore. How fast should he gain weight from overeating versus a potential medical problem? He was estimated at 6 months old (I think a bit younger though) when he was found. Neutered in December. So he's around 1 now. Did he gain too much from overeating, or should I have some blood work ordered?

When gaining or losing weight, you don't want it to pack on or come off too quickly.  When I'm trying to trim up my kitties, I like for them to lose a pound or two over about a year period.  What are you feeding him and what does he look like if you look down on him while he's standing up?  Can you see his waistline?

I just took this shot

He eats Blue Buffalo freedom line.

I just took this photo

He does look a little chunky, kind of like mine.  LOL  I would start cutting back on the dry food and increase the amount of wet food to make wet food his primary source of nutrition.  If you can afford it, look for something grain free.  Lots of time just switching to an all canned or mostly canned diet will help trim up a kitty.  Also, don't allow him to free feed, but go to scheduled feedings.

But would you say gaining 10lbs is an awful lot in about six months. Would that amount be worrisome or could he gain that much from me feeding him. I've been working on dropping his weight ever since we were at the vet in March. I can't afford all wet food, but even then, for 30 days he had one pouch and the manufacturer recommended more than that for a serving, but I think he still gained.

if you're correct that your boy is around 1 year old now, then he would have been around the 6 months old range back in november when you found him 'on the streets'. at six months old, he was still a kitten and still growing. was he a bit on the skinny side when you found him? living on the streets, that would not be uncommon. so while gaining 10 lbs in 6 months does sound like a big weight gain, there are some good reasons why this would be normal -- because he was a growing kitten, and he may have been underweight when you found him.

@stephanietx has made very good points, which i would suggest be followed. that when losing weight, cats need to do it very slowly and gradually. there is a risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease, which can be fatal) if cats lose weight too quickly. that scheduled meals and measured servings can help with careful and gradual weight loss. and that a primarily wet food diet can help too. dry cat foods generally are high in carbohydrates, and many have fillers like grains and/or potatoes. so a primarily dry food diet can cause weight gain in cats, especially if they're 'free fed' instead of having scheduled feedings.

your vet has recommended that your boy should lose one pound, back in march. i'd suggest you start with slowly and gradually losing that one pound (shoot for losing that 1 lb in about 6 months or more), then see what your vet thinks at that point -- if your vet feels your boy is at a good weight then or recommends losing more weight. part of the reason that we're suggesting switching to a primarily wet food diet is that that can be a much easier way to help a cat lose some weight, while still making sure kitty is getting all the nutrition needed.

He's not a big fan of wet food. His dry food is mostly protein. The only wet food he seems to eat is pricey at over $1.00 per pouch or can and he would need several a day. And I know about fatty liver but thanks for reminding me and others who do not know :-)

Just like with humans, low carbs and exercise help kitties keep their weight in check.  I had a cat who weighed 13 lbs and was on dry food.  She never was a fan of wet food and would only eat a smidgen every day.  I went to scheduled feedings, redirecting her to play with interactive toys (toys on wands, chasing the string, pouncing on the string under paper, and tossing toys for her to chase) when she thought it was mealtime.  Over a 2 year period, she dropped down to just about 11 pounds which was perfect for her.  She was able to clean herself better and was more active.  The absolute hardest part for me was telling her "It's not time for your crunchies yet".  She would sit at her feeding spot and eventually fall asleep waiting for me.  He'll think he's starving, but he'll learn when it's time to eat.