is my cat overwieght?

Question

my male cat is 11 months old and weighs 15 pounds. is that overwieght?

Answer 1

It depends on how big the cat is. If you can run your hands down the cat and still feel its ribs then its weight is ideal. If you cannot feel the ribs at all then your cat is overweight.

Answer 2

You should buy a scratching post with some catnip in it first. That is a great exercise she won't be able to resist. You should purchase a healthier cat food can such as "prescriptives" or any other good and healthy one. You should play with her when you get home. It's ok if she gets annoyed at first. Pick her up and make her do stuff. She has to deal with it. You love her it is better for her.

Answer 3

My DSH is 9 years old and 15 lbs (last I checked). I KNOW he is over-weight and vet told me my cat should lose a couple of pounds. So, most likely, your kitty is over-weight.

If you are feeding your cat dry food only and leaving dry food in his bowl at all times, then that is what is making kitty fat. Dry kibble has a lot of carbohydrates. Switch to wet canned food and give your cat only a wee bit of dry kibble everyday for his teeth. Also, do not free feed. Set a schedule for feeding your cat: 1/2 a can (3 oz) in the morning and 1/2 at night and a handful of dry kibble (if any) in between. Provide plenty of fresh water. AND don't forget to exercise kitty with lots of play time.

Answer 4

Hi Britni, Yes, I think your cat is overweight. It is surprising that he would be at 11 months, but the issue is only going to get worse over time. Generally cats should weigh about 6 - 12 lbs, so you actually aren't to far off, especially if he's a very large cat. Why don't you start setting aside excersise time and rethink his diet. This is a site about overweight cats: http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/March97/fatcats.hrs.html

About the excersise: Get a variety of toys, rotate them through. You also don't have to go full expense, cats love thrown pen caps and dragged belts a lot too. Laser lights are always a favortie too. I know you go to bed at night, but cats are often high energy then and in the morning since they are nocturnal animals. Try to play awhile before you go to bed (unless your cat sleeps with you) and in the morning would be good too. If you live in a very safe area you may want to consider letting your cat outside with supervision, and only if he is neutered (he should be anyway) and up to date on shots. If not, you may want to consider investing in a harness and taking him for walks, or if possible creating an outside run for him is good too. Our cats stay slim because they are allowed out to hunt. I know this may not be an option but you could consider getting a younger cat for him to play with. If you'd like to I recommend a spayed female about 6 months old. http://www.petfinder.com is a great place to look.

However, the biggest issue is his diet. Check his food. Most likely the first ingredient is a poultry-by-product. That is NOT supposed to be true. Cats should have poultry or some real meat as the first ingredient. Most cats foods also have way to much corn. This can be a serious health issue. I know Iams for sure is a good food. It's also expensive. I've heard of people buying chicken and feeding it to there cats - but I've never tried it, and it would require researching. Another great asset you have is your vet. Take your cat in for a checkup. He'll be able to give you great personalized advice. You also are going to need to feed your cat less. I'll tell you a secret - feeding your cat lots does not prove to him how much you love him - but I know it's hard. Try getting Purina cat treats. One of those a day won't hurt, and cats LOVE them. Go to the following sites for more info on cat diets: http://cats.about.com/od/cannedfood/Canned_Cat_Food_Next_Best_Choice_after_a_Raw_Diet.htm and http://cats.about.com/cs/catfood/a/weightcontrol.htm?terms=cat+diet and http://www.cat-world.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=9122 Hope it gets better! Thanks for caring about your cat.

Answer 5

My daughter moved to Topeka, KS.. The Cat's there were HUGE!! Here in the deep south where is hot most of the year, our kitties are about 10-11 lb. I have two Tom cats that are 10 lb each. And are in PERFECT health-- Guess it had to do with where you live..

Answer 6

Is the cat fat?I had a male tabby the same age and weight about the same he wasn't fat at all just a really big cat.

Answer 7

my cat is 5 yrs old nd at his most weighed 24lbs. his vet put him on a diet and now he's 15lbs and very healthy. Your cat might be too you g to be that big but it also depends on the bone structure

Answer 8

11 months old and cat weighs 15 lbs ???? is it a lion cub???

My cat is big and is 15 lbs, but he is 6 years old

Answer 9

That is a fat cat! But just to be sure compare him to other "fat cats" on the internet. Look up images. It's a riot!

Answer 10

i have a cat that weighs 25 lbs and he is perfectly healthy,but he is pure muscle,
if your cat is more muscle he is fine,but if he is just plump get weight control formula dry cat food