How Do I Know If My Cat Is Overweight?

“Your cat is overweight.”

It’s something many cat owners hear from their veterinarian, and it can be confusing- especially when you look at your cat and think, Really? This comes up particularly often with British Shorthairs!

British Shorthairs are a naturally substantial, slow-maturing breed. They have broad chests, sturdy bodies, heavy bone, and a naturally stocky appearance. A British Shorthair can look much larger and heavier than another cat of the same age without actually being overweight.

So how can you tell the difference between a big cat and a fat cat?

The number on the scale is only one piece of the puzzle.

Weight Isn't Everything

There is no single “ideal weight” that applies to every cat.

Two cats can weigh the same amount and have completely different body compositions. One may be lean and muscular while another carries excess body fat.

This is especially important with British Shorthairs because their breed standard naturally produces a heavier, more substantial cat.

A large-framed British Shorthair kitten shouldn't automatically be put on a diet simply because they weigh more than an average domestic shorthair.

Instead, look at body condition.

Can You Feel Your Cat's Ribs?

One of the easiest things you can check at home is your cat's ribs.

Place your hands gently along your cat's chest.

You should be able to feel the ribs without having to press hard, but they shouldn't necessarily be prominently visible.

If you can easily feel the ribs beneath a thin layer of fat, that's generally a good sign.

If you have to press firmly to find the ribs, your cat may be carrying too much body fat.

On the other hand, if the ribs, spine, or hips are extremely prominent, your cat may be too thin.

Look at Your Cat From Above

When looking down at your cat from above, you should generally be able to see some indication of a waist behind the rib cage.

This doesn't mean your British Shorthair needs to look skinny!

A healthy British Shorthair can have a very broad, substantial body while still having an appropriate waist.

If the body looks completely straight from the ribs to the hips, or noticeably wider around the abdomen, that can indicate excess body fat.

What About the Primordial Pouch?

This is where things can get confusing.

Many cats have a loose flap of skin and tissue hanging underneath their abdomen called the primordial pouch.

It can be large, floppy, and surprisingly noticeable- even in a perfectly healthy-weight cat.

The primordial pouch is not the same thing as being overweight.

You can't determine your cat's body condition simply by looking at the loose skin underneath their belly.

Instead, look at the overall shape of the body and feel the ribs.

What About British Shorthair Kittens?

This is particularly important with British Shorthairs.

A six-month-old British Shorthair can be surprisingly large.

That doesn't necessarily mean you have an overweight kitten.

British Shorthairs are a slow-maturing breed, and they can continue developing for quite a while. A kitten may go through awkward growth stages where they look very chunky, lanky, round, or disproportionate before their adult body fills out.

A kitten who is simply large for their age isn't automatically overweight.

When evaluating a growing kitten, I care much more about their overall body condition, growth pattern, muscle development, and health than whether they happen to weigh more than another kitten of the same age.

Body Condition Matters More Than a Number

Veterinary professionals often use a Body Condition Score (BCS) to evaluate whether a cat is underweight, ideal, overweight, or obese.

This is a much more useful measurement than simply saying:

“Your cat weighs X pounds, therefore they're overweight.”

Your cat's frame, muscle mass, age, breed, and individual genetics all matter.

This is especially true for British Shorthairs, which can naturally be heavier and more substantial than many other cats.

Why Does Maintaining a Healthy Weight Matter?

Being overweight can contribute to a number of health problems, including increased strain on the joints and a higher risk of conditions such as diabetes.

That doesn't mean cats should be kept artificially thin, either.

The goal isn't to make your British Shorthair look like a slender Oriental breed.

The goal is a healthy body condition for that individual cat.

When Your Veterinarian Says Your Cat Is Overweight

If your veterinarian tells you that your cat is overweight, don't be afraid to ask why.

Ask them to show you what they're seeing.

You can ask:

• Can you show me where you are feeling excess fat?

• What body condition score would you give my cat?

• Is this based on their weight alone, or their body condition?

• What would you consider an appropriate weight for this particular cat?

A good veterinary examination should consider the whole cat—not just the number on the scale.

And if you aren't convinced, it's perfectly reasonable to get a second opinion, particularly when you're dealing with a breed like the British Shorthair that naturally has a different body type than the average cat.

How Much Should Your Cat Eat?

Feeding directions on cat food are a starting point, not an exact prescription. The amount printed on a can or bag is based on general assumptions about a cat's size, age, and activity level, but individual cats can have very different calorie needs.

Two cats of the same weight may need noticeably different amounts of food. A growing kitten, an active young cat, and a sedentary adult aren't going to have identical nutritional requirements simply because they weigh the same. Breed makes a huge difference too. A male British Shorthair or a Maine Coon can easily be a healthy weight at 14+ pounds whereas a Devon Rix or Bengal at 14+ pound would likely be a very unhealthy cat!!

Rather than becoming overly focused on feeding an exact number of grams because the label says so, pay attention to your cat's body condition, growth, activity level, and overall health. Adjust portions as needed to keep your cat growing appropriately and maintaining a healthy body condition.

For kittens especially, I don't recommend obsessing over an exact number on the food label. Food manufacturers don't know your individual kitten. Their feeding chart is there to give you a place to start- not to tell you exactly how much your kitten must eat every day.

Final Thoughts

Don't panic because your British Shorthair weighs more than you expected.

And don't assume a round-looking belly automatically means your cat is overweight.

Learn to feel the ribs, look at the waist, consider the overall body structure, and pay attention to your cat's growth and muscle condition.

For British Shorthairs especially, a big cat isn't necessarily a fat cat.

Sometimes they're just... very British Shorthair.