Why Is A Healthy Cat Weight So Important
Litter-Robot resident veterinarian Dr. Justine Lee sees a diabetic cat at least once a day in the ER. Why so often? Because there is a growing prevalence of insulin resistance secondary to obesity.;
Its so important to work toward a healthy cat weight because overweight cats are at increased risk of the following serious medical conditions:
Last year, Dr. Lee wrote a great post about how to exercise an obese cat. Of course, lack of exercise isnt the only factor likely contributing to your cats extra pounds. Often you will need to begin by tweaking your cats diet.
Savannah Cat Size Is Important To Many Owners
As breeders, we almost always hear questions about Savannah cat size.; It is frustrating at times because some breeders promise huge cats as sales techniques.; As breeders, we have these beautiful kittens with huge ears, long legs, and black markings and many people simply care about Savannah cat size.; As breeders, we love to get to know the people who may want our kittens, so we can get them matched to the right kitten within their budget.; Okay, back to how big Savannah cats get.
What Makes A Cat A Tabby One
A tabby cat is not a breed but a coat pattern represented by stripes, spots and whorls or spirals. Many cat breeds can have a tabby-type coat such as the calico and tortoiseshell cats along with its tabby patches. Their patterns have their own historical and genetic origins.;;
Cats may possess markings if they have the agouti gene or if part of it is dominant. Those with recessive agouti genes are non-tabby cats and will not have any markings. This gene controls the color expression along the length of each hair shaft and the dilute and eumelanin genes that also influence coat color. Due to this gene, some cats have hairs with more than one color distributed on the hair shaft.;
The common color markings of tabby cats include orange, grey, ginger, brown, black, red, cream, blue, silver and tan while the patterns include the classic swirl, mackerel, ticked, spotted and patched.
Tabby cats are outgoing, friendly, affectionate and loving to their owners. Interestingly,; the coat color of orange tabby cats correlates with its gender since most orange cats are males. Also, biologists note that personality traits are somehow linked to a cats coat color as well as their specific breed.;
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About Dr Pete Wedderburn Dvm
Dr Pete Wedderburn qualified as a vet from Edinburgh in 1985 and has run his own 4-veterinarian companion animal practice in County Wicklow, Ireland, since 1991. Pete is well known as a media veterinarian with regular national tv, radio and newspaper slots, including a weekly column in the Daily Telegraph since 2007. Pete is known as “Pete the Vet” on his busy Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, regularly posting information on topical subjects and real-life cases from his clinic. He also write a regular blog at www.petethevet.com. His latest book: Pet Subjects, was published by Aurum Press in 2017.
How Big Do Tabby Cats Get
Tabby cats are special because of their unique coat patterns along with a dynamic and affectionate personality.; They get along well with people and children but sometimes they are also a handful. A tabby cat is not a breed but a coat pattern and the size of a tabby cat varies depending on the breed.;
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Know The Warning Signs For Your Cats Weight
If you notice that your cat is losing or gaining weight very suddenly, this can indicate a greater underlying problem. If their weight loss or gain is accompanied by digestive problems, vomiting, diarrhoea, changes in their skin or coat quality, and changes in their mood, its crucial to consult a vet who will be able to make a full diagnosis.
When your cat is its ideal weight, it will have a much better chance to lead a healthy, contented life involving a good diet, play, exercise and companionship. Recognising when its weight may be a problem means youre able to pick up on any issues quickly and resolve them, getting your cat back on the path to a long and healthy life.
The Importance Of Maintaining A Healthy Weight
Just like humans, over-eating and body weight gain in cats can lead to a host of issues if left unchecked. However, not all cats are equal and when it comes to obesity, certain cats are at a greater risk of piling on the pounds. These include older cats with reduced activity levels, male cats, felines that have been sterilized, cats who are free-fed and so have the opportunity to over-eat and indoor cats, who dont get the chance to move and exercise as much as their outdoor counterparts.
There are also significant health risks to having an overweight cat, as obesity can leave them prone to medical conditions, including
- Feline diabetes
- Heart disease
- Skin problems
But when your cat is at its optimum weight, they will enjoy a healthy, active, and hopefully, long life.
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What Goes Into Determining This Weight
Understanding the weight of a Bengal cat can rely heavily on what a Bengal cat is mixed with, both domestic and wild.
Since it is part of the Bengal cats genetic makeup, the Asian Leopard Cat ancestor affects the final size of each Bengal. But since ALCs weigh so closely to that of domestic cats, between 10 and 15 pounds according to Wild Cats Magazine, the weight of a Bengal ends up being similar to that of domestic cats.
The rest of a Bengal cats weight is determined by the breed of domestic cat used in breeding. If it is a small or medium breed, Cat World estimates the weight potential as being between 8 and 13 pounds. For large breed domestic cats, the domestic relative would be giving the Bengal the genetic traits for a weight between 13 and 24 pounds.
Whats A Healthy Weight For My Cat
It can be hard to resist the temptation to feed our cats or giving them treats when they turn on the feline charm. However, obesity in cats is a serious issue that can lead to arthritis, diabetes, urinary tract disease and other health problems. The best way to prevent or reverse this condition is, just like humans, with diet and exercise.
Why do cats become overweight?
Like humans, gaining weight is largely based on two main factors how much your cat eats and how active they are. We often confine cats to our homes, which is quite a reasonable thing to do both for their safety and that of wildlife species. It therefore means cats might not exercise as much as they should. Lack of exercise or inactivity also leads to boredom, which can result in overeating or begging for more food.
How will my cat behave on a diet?
Cats are known for their aloof nature, so youd be forgiven for thinking your cat may become upset if their calories are restricted. However, cats may actually exhibit more affectionate behaviour when fed a calorie-restricted diet. When theyre healthier, they will feel it, and often become happier and more loving. It could take some time for your cat to get used to their new diet, but the health benefits of weight loss for overweight and obese cats is worth it.
Choosing the right food
Speak with your local Greencross Vets team, they can recommend tips to help your cat maintain a healthy weight and a diet that is best suited to your feline friend.
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The Problem With Average Cat Weight
Resources listing an average weight or range may not take into consideration other factors that affect weight. Factors like breed, sex and spayed/neutered status could all have an impact.
For example, the weight range for a Siamese Cat is 8 to 15 pounds. Females typically weigh 8 to 12 pounds, however, while males can weigh 11 to 15. So, a 15-pound female Siamese would be overweight, whereas that size might be healthy for a male.
Those resources also dont account for mixed breed cats. If your cat is a mix of two or more breeds, you may struggle to pinpoint an average weight or range for her. What then?
A Better Way To Determine Your Cats Ideal Weight
Although your veterinarian may have your cat step on the scale at her next appointment, theyll use more than this number to assess her health.
Veterinarians use a Body Condition System to visually and physically assess whether your cat is too heavy or too thin. You can see the criteria your veterinarian uses when evaluating your cats weight here.
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Cat Weight Chart Other Wormers
This table, for Cazitel and Prazitel, shows the number of tablets required. Panacur 10% is a liquid, and the dose is in millilitres. Panacur Paste comes in a syringe with graduated numbers on the plunger. You wind the ring on the plunger by the desired amount of graduations and this determines the dose.
Cat Weight Chart Panacur Granules
The complication with Panacurs Granules formulation is that there are three different strengths. 1g sachets jump in 2kg increments, 1.8g sachets in 4kg increments and 4.5g work every 10kg. Use as many sachets of a single strength as is suitable for your cats weight.
It can be harder to judge if a large cats is also over-weight. So ask about their ideal weight next time you visit the vets
You see. Easy wasnt it? Remember some of the Panacurs do have lower but more frequent doses for kittens. As were talking large cats, the vast majority of cats will have to be full adults before they break the 5kg barrier. However, for those massive breeds, it is feasible they could hit 5kg+ and still not be fully grown.
Ideal Weight For Cats
Most domestic cats should weigh about 10 pounds, though that can vary by breed and frame. A Siamese cat may weigh as few as 5 pounds, while a Maine Coon can be 25 pounds and healthy.
Your vet can let you know if your cat is overweight, but there are some signs you can look for on your own, says Melissa Mustillo, DVM, a veterinarian at A Cat Clinic in Maryland.Cats should have that hourglass figure when youre looking down at them, they shouldnt have a saggy belly hanging down, and you should be able to feel their ribs, she says.
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Signs Your Cat May Be Overweight
The most obvious way to know if your cat is overweight is by how they look but this can sometimes be a little misleading. Their appearance may be puffed up by their luxurious fur, or as you live with them day to day, any weight gain may not be so obvious. To be sure, you can follow the basics of the Body Condition Score. The main signs to look out for include:
- Their belly and shape does their tum sag or have they lost their normal feline waist?
- Running your hands over their body, can you easily feel their ribs and shoulder bones, or can you feel a layer of fat first?
- Energy is your cat less inclined to get active or play or increasingly lethargic?
A healthy cat should have an hourglass shape when viewed from above and their tum shouldnt sag down. You should also be able to feel their ribs and be able to count them with your fingers. If you cant then your kit is above its healthy weight. But if you can visibly see their ribs through their surface fat, then they could be underweight. The final confirmation is to pop your cat onto some pet scales to see if the dial goes above the average cat weight for their breed.
How Fast Does A Kitten Grow
Growing kittens under 6 months of age will weigh approximately their age in months. So, a 2-month-old kitten should weigh approximately 2 pounds, a 3-month-old kitten should average 3 pounds, and so on.
Dont worry if your young kitten doesnt follow this weight formula exactly, though. Each pet is unique. As long as your kitty has a clean bill of health from your veterinarian, your pet is on the right track.;
A kittens weight at 6 months of age and older is more variable between individual cats, since they are starting to get closer to their adult size and may grow at different rates.
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Reasons Why Your Tabby Cat Is Getting Fat:
Obesity is a major health problem among tabby cats. It could lead to a number of diseases like diabetes, heart disease etc. and adds extra pressure to the limbs of the cat.
It is important to know the factors that could lead to unnecessary weight gain in the tabby cat.
Here is a list of some of the reasons because of which your tabby cat might be getting fat:
Are You Brave Enough For Bathroom Scales
The other main option is the bathroom scales. If your cat will oblige by sitting still on these winner! If not, you will have to do the stand on and weigh yourself, pick the cat up and weigh both of you, then subtract the smaller number from larger number the remainder is the cats weight. This isnt brilliantly accurate but should allow you to gauge within ½ kg what they weigh. Then it is just a case of forgetting/denying what you weigh!
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Check Cat Weight By Hand
Do it by putting your hand on your cat and start feeling the ribs and shoulder bones. If you feel them immediately,
its a sign that your cat is underweight and needs more healthy food to put on some weight. Weight loss may occur because of these health issues in addition to the poor diet:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Intestinal parasites
- Dental problems
Now, you might be thinking about how to make your cat gain some weight if weight loss is due to poor diet?
Down there are some points we have researched for you to bring your cats weight to normal.
So What Is A Large Cat
You can find references all over our site for large cat wormer and large breed foods which is all well and good if you know what we mean by large. Obviously, there is no utterly fixed point, as the world of cats is both wide and varied. From a Cornish Rexs viewpoint, most things bigger than a kitten are huge; but to an adult Norwegian Forest cat, some springer spaniels look like lightweights! So, in the real world, or at least our world, a large cat is anything over 5kg in weight.
As a general veterinary shorthand large cat is any cat over 5kg
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Is My Fat Cat At Risk
Yes! If your cat is overweight, he’s at high risk of many health problems. As a cat owner, it is your job to ensure that your cats weight is under control in order to avoid potential health complications down the road.;
Cat obesity can lead to a number of health hazards, including joint;arthritis, bladder inflammation leading to;urinary blockage,;and feline diabetes, says Dr. Geoff DeWire, a graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and recipient of the Pfizer Clinical Achievement Award for Excellence.
While a 13 or 14 pound cat may be cute in all his fluffy, squishy goodness, hes actually extremely overweight. For example, if your cats ideal weight is 8 pounds but hes actually 10 pounds, then hes carrying around an extra 25% of his body weight.
In human terms, that would be the equivalent of a 180 lb adult man putting on an extra 45 pounds. And you probably know what your doctor would say about that – time for a change.
Fighting Fleas With Spot Ons
Thankfully the world of non-prescription flea treatment is so much easier. All but one of the main brands go for a one-size-treats all approach. So Frontline, Frontline Plus, Effipro, Eliminall and Flevox all just do a cat version. Only Advantage differs, with small and large cat varieties. For Advantage the issue is more is your cat small rather than large. Large cat packs are known as Advantage 80 , which is what youll be after if youve got a large cat.
If youre buying prescription flea treatments however, all but one of these have large/small versions. Some even have a medium version. So, when youre buying them make sure you pop the right size one in your basket it should be clearly named on your prescription.
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How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Underweight
Just as an overweight or obese cat is unhealthy, so is a cat that is too thin. Diseases such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, gastrointestinal diseases, and others can contribute to inappropriate weight loss in your cat. Signs that your cat is underweight include:
- Your cats body condition score is between 1-3.
- Your cats ribs are easily seen or counted without needing to palpate or touch them.
- There is no fat palpable over the ribs or midsection.
- The spine is pronounced and easily seen.