How to Determine If Your Cat Is Overweight

November 30, 2025 Back Home

How to Know If Your Cat Is Overweight

Bonus: A Breed-by-Breed Breakdown of Average Cat Weights

Does your cat seem a little—er, fluffy—lately? Determining if your cat is overweight isn’t as simple as plopping them on a bathroom scale.

Healthy cats come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no single “right” weight. The general consensus across the cat-asphere is that a healthy, average weight for a cat can range anywhere from 8 to 11 pounds, however not all cats are the same.

Some cats — it depends by the breed — can weigh more than 11 pounds and be perfectly average. We’ll get to that in a minute — we made a helpful infographic — but in the meantime here’s a few simple ways to tell if you cat is overweight.

How To Tell Your Cat is Overweight in 3 Simple Steps

1. Take a look at your cat from above

You should be able to see a noticeable “waist” between your cat’s ribcage and hips.

If your cat is too fluffy to tell for sure, run your hands down their sides to feel for an indentation.

2. Look from the side

A lean cat should slope upwards from the ribcage to the back legs, rather than sporting a tummy pouch.

Older cats may be prone to having a little “sag” in their stomach region, but this should be somewhat distinguishable from a round tummy.

3. Give your cat a gentle squeeze

Feel your cat’s torso — if they let you of course!

You should be able to make out your cat’s spine and ribs clearly, without pressing too hard.

Following these three simple methods should help you determine if you cat is overweight or not, but honestly we’re not about cat-shaming here.

What’s the average weight for a cat?

Generally between 8 to 11 pounds, but not all cats are created equal, and therefore their weights vary widely depending on the breed.

For example, petite breeds like the Devon Rex can weigh between 6 to 9 pounds , while larger breeds such as the Maine Coon can easily reach 12 to 22 pounds.

Because every breed has its own natural size range, it’s important to consider your cat’s genetics — not just the number on the scale — when determining what a healthy weight really looks like.

To help, we created this handy resource that features a breed-by-breed breakdown of average cat weight.

And if you need to know anything more about these cat breeds besides their average weights, check out our individual profiles we’ve created:

While a chonky cat is undeniably adorable, obesity can be a real problem for some cats and can lead to joint problems, diabetes and shortened life span. So, we wouldn’t be the world’s best if we didn’t include some helpful ideas on how to help your best bud shed some pounds.

5 TIPS TO HELP YOUR CAT LOSE WEIGHT

If your fur baby appears to be above the average cat weight, don’t despair. Just like with people, your cat’s weight is largely decided by two things: how much they eat, and how much they exercise.

Luckily, you have a lot of control over both factors. The ASPCA offers these steps to help get your fur baby down to an average cat weight:

1. Cut out the table scraps

Keep your cat at a distance when you’re eating, so you’re not tempted to feed them morsels from your plate. Though you may be feeding them something healthy, your cat doesn’t need the extra calories in addition to their typical meals.

2. Switch to smaller meals

Instead of giving your cat two large meals to feast on, try switching to multiple smaller meals so they aren’t able to binge eat their food.

3. Only feed your cat from the bowl

During this weight loss journey, it’s important to help your cat re-learn good eating habits, like eating from the bowl and sticking to smaller portions. Many cats only eat until they are full, but if they are allowed to consume more they may begin to eat past this point – which will cause them to gain weight.

4. Cut back on snacks and treats

While treats are a fun way to provide positive encouragement for your cat, they also typically contain more calories than cat food and can add up quickly. It can be hard saying “no” to their adorable meows, but cutting back on treats is for their benefit in the long-term.

5. Give your cat plenty of attention

Some cats turn to eating when they are bored. Giving your cat some extra attention, especially with increased play time will help to keep them occupied and away from their food bowl. Extra play time is also good exercise for their body and mind!

IS Your Cat Having Trouble Losing Weight?

If the above tactics don’t produce results within a month or two, schedule a visit to the vet to test for an underlying medical problem, such as hypothyroidism, and discuss what and how much your cat should be eating.

Got any other questions about cat wellness on your mind? Share them in the comment section!