how big is to big?

I have always thought about this question.
How big of a cat is too big? (weight)
I know when cats start getting so big it can cause health problems.
I did have a cat in the past when I was living at home that got diabetes from bein over weight. He had to have a shot everyday for it.
I have always loved big fat cats. There is just something about a big looking cat that I love.
Right now my biggest cat is about 17lbs.
So what weight do you think is way to much?

Hi,
Imo, there is no one weight answer that we can give you. It all depends on the size (bone structure) of the cat. Here is a link that tells you how to evaluate your cat for being obese:chart

It depends on the bone structure. We have a cat now that is over 20lb and when laying down is 36" long. The vet NEVER mentions him being overweight...he isn't very fat faced, just big all over..I am sure he could lose 2-3lb but the vet is never concerned about him....here is a pic

oh my that is a big cat I think I am inlove.

Yea, that is exactly what I said when I found him. lol

What is really sad...we just saw a cat on the side of the road today, dead and it looked JUST LIKE ours...we both cried...this big baby is an angel, through and through.

I have a bigger cat too. He's an orange boy and bigger then most oranges. He weighs about 17lbs too, but he is pretty healthy. Alot of it is muscle, and if his belly didnt flop all over from being fixed, he would look purty good. I like meself a big squishy kitty too Which is why I got an orange cat

So if you are worried about your cat, help it develop more muscle. it might not loose any weight, but remember, muscle weighs more than fat O_O

Im not real worried about Speedys weight. He has not health problems as of right now. And he loves to run around in the early morning or late at night and play with Pum Pum. So I atleast know he is getting some exercise that way.
I have always read about these really big cats that are 20 + lbs. I have never had any that were 20lbs but close.
I think I am just worried about all my cats getting to big because of the cats I have had in the past that were somewhat big then got health problems, but they were not lazy cats either. I guess some cats just get more health problems then others. (just like people)

I think that is it Julia. I hear of big cats who weigh 5 lb less than ours and they can't jump, run, etc. Ours can go anywhere he wants and FAST..and we have never had any health problems...

Originally Posted by muddytonix

I have always thought about this question.
How big of a cat is too big? (weight)
I know when cats start getting so big it can cause health problems.
I did have a cat in the past when I was living at home that got diabetes from bein over weight. He had to have a shot everyday for it.
I have always loved big fat cats. There is just something about a big looking cat that I love.
Right now my biggest cat is about 17lbs.
So what weight do you think is way to much?

Click to expand...

I'd look at that chart that Pat & Alix posted. Nano is between 5-6, probably closer to 6, and I think that's fine. I'd think anything up to 7 would be okay.

Or you could think about it this way:

Can the cat adequately clean itself? (Including its backside/rear)
Can the cat move around? (Running at will, making the jumps it wants to make, mobile enough to get away from perceived dangers)
Is the cat depriving another cat of food? (Multiple cat households)
Does the cat's food intake put a burden on you as its caretaker? (Financial, excessive time spent cleaning litter boxes, excessive bathing time, etc.)

Personally people usually say Nano is a "big girl" or "whoa, that's a huge cat" but they are talking about overall size and not just weight. (Yes, she could also stand to lose 2-3 lbs.) So if you like having a heavy cat, perhaps just to hold in bed or fill up a lap, get one that has a large frame so it fills out better. According to that Purina chart, I wouldn't want a cat that was in the 8-9 range...looks like they would have trouble cleaning themselves or moving.

I think my cat is lazy. He does all the things he should be doing, but at times he wants carried to get where he wants. I have a baby gate going into my kitchen because of my kids. Well he is to big to get under it where Pum Pum can jsut run right under. So he will stand at the gate and cry until someone comes and picks him up and puts him ont he other side of the gate. I think he just wants the attention because I have seen him clear the gate with out touching it a ton of times. and if no one comes to pick him up he will jump it. I def. think he is big old and lazy at times. lol

I had a cat that weighed 22 lbs. at his biggest, and not much fat at all. He was just huge. I could just cover the top of his head with my hand, and one of his paws would completely cover my palm. His back came just below my knee. I never measured how long he was. People were actually afraid of him because he was so big. He was the biggest baby you could ever find. He even had a tiny little meow like a kitten. When I took him to the vet, he would lie on his back, cover his eyes with his paws, and just wail. The vet said it was a good thing he was so timid, he could really do some damage if he were aggressive. We think he was part Maine Coon.
He went to the Bridge 2 years ago from FeLeuk. I still miss my big red boy.

George cat just weighed in at near 18 1/2lbs. He's a really long cat, and he's still filling out with regular food now.

Then there's Stubby cat who's all of 7lbs, and she's pretty chubby.

It's more proportion than wieght

Not my photo - but I'd say THIS is too big...





from: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/fatcat.html

now that is big. I dont like a cat that big. lol That would be like picking on of my kids up all the time. I could not imagine holding a cat that big.