How to Tell If Your Cat is at a Healthy Weight

One of the most important things that you can do as a responsible pet parent is to make sure that your cat stays at a healthy weight. A good way to tell if your cat is healthy is by feeling their body and looking for any visible signs of obesity. Let’s look closer into how you can tell if your cat is at a healthy weight and what to do if they aren’t.

Feel Their Body

A great way to check if your cat is overweight or underweight is by feeling their body. Place both hands on either side of their ribcage and feel around for any excess fat or loose skin. If your cat has some extra padding between their ribs and spine, then they are likely overweight. On the other hand, if you feel like there isn’t enough protection between their ribs and spine, then they may be underweight. It’s always best to reach out to your veterinarian for a more accurate assessment of your cat’s current weight.

Look For Visible Signs

In addition to feeling your cat’s body, there are also some visible signs that you can look out for when trying to see if your kitty is at a healthy weight. When looking in the mirror, does it look like they have an hourglass shape? If yes, then this would be considered a good sign that they are at a healthy weight. However, if they look more pear-shaped with bloat around their midsection and hindquarters, then this could mean that they are carrying extra pounds on them which could lead to health issues down the line.  

Feeding Your Cat Correctly

Once you have determined whether or not your cat is at a healthy weight, it’s important that you make sure that you feed them properly so that they stay in good health. Make sure to talk with your vet about what type of food would be best for them based on their age, breed, activity level and other factors so that you can ensure that they are getting all the nutrition necessary for optimal health!               

Determining whether or not your cat is at a healthy weight doesn't have to be complex; all it takes is paying close attention to their behaviors and body shape. By feeling their body and looking for any visible signs of obesity or underweightness, you can get an idea of where they stand with regards to their ideal size - but it's always better practice to consult with your veterinarian just in case! With proper diet control and regular exercise, pet parents everywhere can help keep cats fit and happy!