Is my British shorthair overweight?

spange

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I took my British shorthair teddy for his first booster this week and the vet weighed him as part of a general health check. He's 6.2kgs which she seemed quite concerned by and said she wants me to get him down to 4.5-5kgs max.
She pointed out his belly - he does have a pronounced pouch but it's quite saggy, not rounded or overly fatty. As a first time owner of a cat of this breed I'd done a bit of research into nutrition/average weights/breed standard etc which indicated he should have a primordial pouch and I could expect his weight to be up to 7kg plus.
I think 4.5kgs seems quite a low weight for an adult male British shorthair and seems to be at odds with breeder recommendations. He is quite lazy though so I've bought him more interactive toys to get him moving.
What do you guys think? i want him to be as healthy as possible but I don't want to starve him :lol3:
 

moorspede

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His first booster? So he's 12 months old?

As you know BSHs are stocky, round, cuddly looking cats. I've read all sorts of weights that BSHs should be. It really does depend on the size of the cat, and you are right, the males tend to be much bigger than the females. 

There is a way to tell if a cat is the correct weight, you look down over it and see what shape it is. If it has a hint of a waist like the one in this diagram, it's more likely to be the correct weight. You should be able to feel his ribs without placing much pressure on him.

BSHs mature later than most cats, if he is just 12 months he has another two years to fill out but they do tend to be couch potatoes and they love their food so they do tend to put weight on. 

I have a BSH with a pronounced flap on her stomach although she looks like the cat with the ideal weight on the diagram, I'm not sure if that is a sign of being fat. My other BSH is almost 12 months and on the chubby side. I've put them both on to timed meals in readiness to control her portions better when she becomes an adult.  

It's a no brainer that they need exercise every day. Wet food is preferable than dry to assist with weight control as is grain free or raw meat over food loaded with carbohydrates. 
 
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spange

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Thanks for the reply- that's partly what confused me. He does have a waist and the pouch is more like loose skin - it moves from side to side when he walks or runs which is I think what it's there for - additional protection for the stomach and internal organs etc during fights. He's quite a big boy overall which is why I thought 4.5 was more a typical female weight for that breed but I don't like to question the vet too much because they're the experts I feel a bit cheeky - was just a bit concerned about it
 

moorspede

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I've heard that too but I've also heard it also stores fat for lean times. My cat's is becoming more pronounced as she slims down, they can do that naturally once they get out of kittenhood. 
 
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