Keeping your cat in good physical condition is important for their well-being. But sometimes it is difficult to determine what the ideal weight should be. Discover a simple step-by-step tool to check your cat’s current and ideal size.

There are cats of all shapes and sizes, so it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether or not they are of adequate weight. After all, we love them no matter how overweight they are! But size matters when it comes to health, and your cat’s extra weight can cause problems.

Why is it important to maintain a healthy weight for a cat?

A healthy cat is a happy cat and less prone to disease and health problems. If your cat is overweight, their quality and length of life may decrease and they will be less able to enjoy exercise and play, due to possible joint problems.

What is the Cat Body Condition Tool?

We try to avoid focusing on weight, because having a healthy cat is more important than weight alone.

Created by pet care experts, our body condition tool is designed to help you determine if your cat has an ideal body condition and encourages you to get your hands on your cat, to learn its true size beyond beyond all that fur!

How to use our Body Condition tool to check your cat’s ideal weight

You should look at your cat from all angles to get a 360-degree view, and this is important for understanding your cat’s physical condition and determining if it’s a healthy weight for a cat. Take your time and be kind – your cat may not be used to being treated this way, but he will soon get used to it.

Use the slider below to select the most suitable photo for your cat and we’ll be able to tell you if he’s underweight, overweight or just perfect.

Example of a Body Condition Score for a healthy feline weight

Remember that weight alone won’t tell you if your pet is the right size. To find out your cat’s fitness score, you need to get your hands on it!

Not sure if you judge it right? The ideal healthy weight for cats is slimmer than one might think, mainly because pet owners tend to underweight their cats. Each cat will require different food, different meal sizes, and different levels of cat exercise. Depending on body shape, size and breed, it is possible for two cats to be exactly the same weight, but one is overweight and the other underweight!

Check out these examples of cats being evaluated with the Purina Body Condition Tool for Cats. There is a lot of variety here – it’s not just about weight, but also about size and shape.

What do you do if your cat exceeds the ideal weight for a cat?

Overweight cats can be encouraged to lose weight by feeding them a well-balanced diet and by keeping the cat active during play. In some cases, reducing the snacks cats receive with their main meals may be enough to bring them back to an average weight.

Be sure to ask your vet for advice before making drastic changes to your cat’s diet. Your vet will also be able to recommend a weight management plan that will allow your cat to maintain a healthy weight.

What do you do if your cat is below average weight?

If the physical condition tool reveals that your cat is underweight, talk to your veterinarian so they can help determine the cause of the weight loss. Your vet will be able to suggest the best course of action to take and can even create an appropriate meal plan for your cat.

Even if your cat is skinny, don’t think about cutting back on playtime. Exercise is also important for underweight cats. It can help build muscle and can increase your appetite.

Again, it’s important to check with your vet about healthy ways to help your cat gain weight, but also to make sure there are no underlying conditions that are preventing your cat from reaching a healthy weight.