Cat Weight Chart
Healthy cat weight by breed and age, plus the body condition score that tells you more than the scale ever will — because "normal" for a Siamese and a Maine Coon are ten pounds apart.
Healthy weight by breed
| Breed | Healthy range (female) | Healthy range (male) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic shorthair | 8–10 lb | 10–12 lb |
| Siamese | 6–9 lb | 8–11 lb |
| Persian | 7–10 lb | 9–13 lb |
| Bengal | 8–10 lb | 10–15 lb |
| British Shorthair | 8–12 lb | 12–17 lb |
| Ragdoll | 10–15 lb | 15–20 lb |
| Maine Coon | 10–15 lb | 15–25 lb |
| Sphynx | 6–9 lb | 8–12 lb |
| Munchkin | 5–8 lb | 6–9 lb |
Kitten growth: the pound-a-month rule
| Age | Expected weight |
|---|---|
| 1 week | 4–8 oz |
| 1 month | ~1 lb |
| 2 months | ~2 lb |
| 3 months | ~3 lb |
| 4 months | ~4 lb |
| 6 months | ~6 lb |
| 9 months | ~7–9 lb |
| 12 months | Adult weight (most breeds) |
Kittens gain roughly a pound a month for the first six months, which makes weight the quickest way to estimate the age of a rescue — see thekitten age calculator.
Body condition score — what to feel for
| Score | Condition | What you feel and see |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Underweight | Ribs, spine and hips visible; no fat cover; obvious waist tuck |
| 4–5 | Ideal | Ribs easily felt under thin fat; visible waist from above; slight belly tuck |
| 6–7 | Overweight | Ribs hard to feel; waist barely visible; rounded abdomen |
| 8–9 | Obese | Ribs not palpable; no waist; distended belly; fat pads on limbs and face |
A note on the primordial pouch: the loose flap of skin on a cat's lower belly is a normal anatomical feature, not fat. It swings when they run and is present in lean cats too — don't mistake it for excess weight.
If your cat needs to lose weight
- Involve your vet first. Rapid weight loss in cats can trigger fatty liver disease — this is one area where DIY dieting is genuinely risky.
- Measure every meal. Free-feeding dry food is the most common cause of feline weight gain. Portion with the cat food calculator, which has a weight-loss mode.
- Favour wet food. Higher moisture, lower calorie density, and more filling per calorie.
- Aim for 1–2% per week and weigh monthly — a kitchen scale and a carrier is enough.
For the light-hearted version of the same scale, see thecat chonk chart — and its rather more serious veterinary counterpart.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy weight for a cat?+
Most domestic shorthair cats sit healthily between 8 and 12 lb, but breed matters enormously — a Siamese may be ideal at 7 lb while a Maine Coon can be lean at 18 lb. Body condition (what you can feel) is a better measure than the number on the scale.
How can I tell if my cat is overweight?+
Run your hands along their sides: you should feel ribs easily under a thin fat layer, see a visible waist when looking down from above, and see a slight tummy tuck from the side. If ribs are hard to find and there is no waist, your cat is carrying too much.
How much overweight is dangerous for a cat?+
Even 2 lb over ideal is significant on a 10 lb frame — the equivalent of a 150 lb person carrying 30 extra pounds. Feline obesity raises the risk of diabetes, arthritis, urinary disease and reduces lifespan measurably.
How fast should a cat lose weight?+
No more than 1–2% of body weight per week — about 1.5 to 2 oz for a 10 lb cat. Faster loss risks hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which is life-threatening. Any feline weight-loss plan should involve your vet.
Why is my cat losing weight?+
Unexplained weight loss in a cat is always worth investigating — hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes and dental pain are all common causes, and all are far easier to manage when caught early. Book a vet visit rather than waiting.