Fat Cat Question?

Question

I have a cat that weighs 20 lbs (goes to the vet regularly and has no health problems), and I have heard that a cat that big is unhealthy, but I also heard that its ok if a cat is that big as long as he gets exercise and regular vet check ups he will be fine. So is a cat that weighs 20 lbs healthy or not healthy?

The cat is 4 years old. Neutered Male. And his breed his just a normal short haired cat.
He does play and stuff.

Answer 1

Big boned? Small boned? Male? Female? Breed? Too many variables to answer your question. If your vet is well pleased with your cat's health, then it must be okay.

Answer 2

As long as your cat gets exercise he is fine! That is a big cat! We have a cat that weighs 18 pounds and another that weighs 16 pounds. Both are very active and make a yearly visit to the vet. They are healthy and so is yours. These are both neutered males like yours. Seems like after males get neutered they do slow down some and eat more, thus get huge.

Answer 3

I've heard that neutering cats can cause the weight gain. Like testosterone in a human, chemicals that are lost when neutering help keep a male cat slim. A friends' cat is 20 pounds, but very active & playfull, living indoors with a Jack Russel & a Doxin dogs.

Answer 4

I have had 2 fat cats. One was named Patches who was about 16 pounds and died due to a stomach tumor. The other is Jasper who is living and is 20 lbs.

Patches was overfed initially and so I really couldn't undo the damage but he would also eat anything.

Jasper has always been a big cat. Originally he was 16 lbs before he came to live with us. It has gained about 4 pounds in about 3 years. The vet said that as long as I can keep him at 20 lbs we will be doing good.

Jasper will eat anything so I have to be careful about leaving a lot of dry food around. He gets 1 tsp of wet cat food twice a day. I could probably succeed with Jasper on a diet but Tigger is a very picky eater and will not eat the diet food.

The only problem I have had with both cats is that their anal glands don't completely discharge when they go to the bathroom and I usually have to take them to the vets so they can clear the glands.

So keep taking them to the vets for their checkups and shots. Jasper goes outside quite a bit and I don't worry that much about it. They may not be healthy as far as their weight goes but my vet said how they got so big in the first place and what it is due to we don't know. Hopefully we can keep him at 20 lbs and if we can succeed with that we will be doing good. Hopefully he won't develop diabetes. I am sure it does put a strain on his heart but I have to realize he is a big cat who comes and wakes me up at 4:15 a.m. in the morning. When he does I realize he is hungry and he is a big cat. Jasper will eat his food and then he waits for Tigger to eat her wet food (most of the time she will leave alot of the dry food initially) and he ready to and eat out of her dish. If I had just the one cat I would definitely be giving him the diet foot but with two its just too crazy. If Tigger ate the diet food that would be different.

Jasper likes to sleep alot especially during the winter. The rest of the time when he can go out he does. Maybe getting a scratch post with some height might not be a bad idea.

Unfortunately we cannot reason with animals. If you would like to put him on some diet food there are a lot of cat food brands in the stores that are for weight management. Also your vet may carry Hills Science Diet. If your cat will eat the diet food great. I would only do a diet under the direction of your vet. Cats need to loose weight gradually usually no more than 1 pound a week. I would stay away from any fancy cat foods--like Sheeba and Fancy Feast as those are just loaded with calories. Also if you do feed your cat table scraps (preferably none at all) I would discontinue that practice. If you give them the cat treats-pounce etc. I would do it sparingly. Again that is loaded with calories. Give your have a treat once in a while. Also catnip is a great treat with hardly any calories.

I called Patches my 16 lb bowling ball and Jasper is my handsome prince. Just take it in stride and talk to God and just ask him to watch over your cat. You are doing all you can by taking him for his shots and visits to the vet which is a big investment and shows that you care very much. Your cat is very lucky to have you as his/her owner.

Answer 5

Definitely not a healthy weight. I have two male cats that weigh 12 lbs. They are lean and well-muscled.

20 lbs is obese for most cats. Just like in humans, cats are subject to diabetes if they are overweight or obese.

Answer 6

Kinda of a fatty. But if you take him to the doc regularly and he doesn't say anything is strange, I guess your cat is okay. Maybe he's to furry. I had a poodle that weighed 20 lbs and when we shaved off his fur he looked like a little black rat and he weighed 7 lbs.

Answer 7

You did not say the age of your cat, but I think a cat with that weight surely isn't jumping, playing, and chasing as much as one that has less weight. I suggest you change the cat's diet. Cat's can develope health problems from being overweight the same as people.

Answer 8

healthy my dad is a vet and ive seen lots of cats hwho were huge its not really a unhealthly thing it is just BIG lol its normal now if vomets and is a little lazy then go to vet asap this could be a sign of heart failure believe it or not

Answer 9

What does your vet say? Some breeds of cat are meant to be bigger than others.

Answer 10

I think your vet is far far more qualified to assess your cat's health than a lot of strangers, however well meaning.