A cat’s weight speaks a lot of its health, well-being and overall quality of life. A difference of a pound or two can make a major difference. Thin and malnourished cats can end up developing health issues while overweight cats have significantly shortened life expectancy.
If you are raising a kitten you may be curious about its ideal weight at different ages. So how much should a six months old kitten weight? It depends largely on the the breed but an average sized domestic cat breed should weight about six pounds when six months old.
Growth of Cats
Before learning the ideal weight of your pet, it’s good to understand their growth rate.
A young kitten should gain approximately a quarter-ounce to a half-ounce a day until it reaches between 4 and 5 weeks old. Within the first week, it should almost double its weight. The growth rate of kittens might slow down a bit but should continue at around 1 pound a month. A kitten that does not gain weight (or even loses some) or is not eating properly should be taken to a vet for a check up. Kittens are fragile and will not survive long without proper nutrition.
At six months of age, your kitten may look like a little adult, but that does not mean it has reached its adult size. Considering the standard growth rate, kittens should weigh approximately 6 pounds after half a year but it varies from breed to breed. They will have lanky torsos and legs that may seem a little disproportionate. Although kittens at this age are still not fully grown in size, sexual maturity can already occur. You might want to consider getting your pet neutered or spayed.
Ideal Weight of Cats
Most domestic cats should weigh around 10 pounds as adults, depending on breed and frame. A Siamese cat may weigh as little as 5 pounds, while a Maine Coon can be 25 pounds. So at 6 months, your average cat should just be around 6 pounds, but then again, it depends on the breed of your cat.
Consulting your vet is a good way to check if your pet’s weight is sufficient. But there are some signs you can look for on your own. When you’re looking down at your cat, it should have that hourglass figure. It shouldn’t have a saggy belly hanging down, and you should be able to feel its ribs. Otherwise, your cat may be obese.
Feeding Tips
Domestic cats have the tendency to be overweight rather than malnourished, given that pet owners love to spoil their pets. Overweight cats have a greatly increased risk of developing serious health conditions such as diabetes, urinary stones, heart disease, osteoarthritis and breathing difficulty. Below are tips to help you keep your cat in good shape:
Feed your pet healthy food.
Start by feeding your kitten the right amount of wet food and choose cat food that includes meat and vegetables in its top five ingredients. Healthy options include chicken, liver, salmon, carrots, peas and sweet potatoes. Many commercial foods are loaded with salt and fat. It improves taste which leads your cat to gorge, making it overeat. By switching to a healthier choice, your cat will have a nutritious and balanced diet.
One highly recommended protein rich food suitable for kittens and adult cats a like is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food.
Be strict with your cat.
In the past, cats were hunting prey for their food but today, felines are living the life – they just wait their feeding bowl to fill up with their meal. When the cat whines, many pet parents give in to even if it is not their meal time which can lead to weight gain. To avoid this, be strict and do not give your cat more food than it needs. Cut back on treats as well – make it more of a reward for your pet.
Use the meal-feeding method.
It’s tempting to just fill up the bowl and let your cat chow everything but this encourages excess eating. The meal-feeding method will help your cat eat just the right amount for its body. Meal feeding is a scheduled way of feeding your cat at specific meal times during the day. With this, food intake can be closely monitored and it will help you see if there are changes in appetite.
Promote regular exercise.
Exercise is important to your cat’s overall health. Movement can keep its weight down and help it work off extra energy. Schedule some play time everyday and commit to it.
Here are few exercise and workout activities you and your cat can do together:
- Play with toys – Giving your cat toys can encourage it to get moving. Choose objects that they are fond of – feathers, strings, ones that are shaped like a mouse, bird or bug.
- Catch the light – Cats love chasing lasers. It provides endless entertainment and exercise to them.
- Take a walk – Strolls outside are best suited to cats who are not shy. Use a harness instead of just a collar and the leash.
Conclusion
The weight of the cat is one indicator of its health. A cat’s ideal weight depends on its breed and frame. Choose healthy food and portion size for your cat and add exercise into its daily routine.