Cat Care Blogs

Understanding Your Cat's Ideal Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for your cat's overall well-being. An overweight cat faces increased risks of diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, while an underweight cat may have nutritional deficiencies or underlying health issues.

Average Weight Ranges by Cat Type

• Domestic Shorthair: 8-10 pounds
• Domestic Longhair: 9-12 pounds
• Maine Coon: 13-18 pounds (males), 8-12 pounds (females)
• Siamese: 6-10 pounds
• Persian: 7-12 pounds

Using Body Condition Score

Rather than relying solely on weight, veterinarians use a Body Condition Score (BCS) system to evaluate your cat's body composition. This 5-point scale considers:

• Rib coverage and visibility
• Waist definition when viewed from above
• Abdominal tuck when viewed from the side

A BCS of 3 is considered ideal, indicating a healthy balance of muscle and fat.

Creating the Perfect Feeding Schedule

The frequency and timing of your cat's meals can significantly impact their health, weight management, and overall well-being.

Feeding Frequency by Age

• Kittens (under 1 year): 3-4 meals per day
• Adult cats (1-7 years): 2 meals per day
• Senior cats (7+ years): 2-3 smaller meals per day

Benefits of Scheduled Feeding

Regular meal times help with:

• Better portion control and weight management
• Improved digestion
• Easier monitoring of appetite changes
• Reduced food competition in multi-cat households

Avoid free-feeding (leaving food out all day) as it can lead to overeating and makes it difficult to monitor your cat's food intake.

Nutritional Needs Throughout Your Cat's Life

Cats have different nutritional requirements depending on their life stage, activity level, and health status.

Kitten Nutrition (Under 1 Year)

Kittens have the highest energy requirements per pound of body weight:

• Need 2-2.5× more calories than adult cats
• Require higher protein (30-35%) and fat (9-15%)
• Need DHA for brain and eye development
• Should eat kitten-specific food until 12 months

Adult Cat Nutrition (1-7 Years)

Adult cats need a balanced maintenance diet:

• Moderate calorie density for weight maintenance
• High-quality protein (26-30%)
• Balanced fat content (9-15%)
• Essential fatty acids for coat health

Senior Cat Nutrition (7+ Years)

Senior cats often have changing nutritional needs:

• May need easily digestible foods
• Require joint support nutrients
• Need smaller, more frequent meals
• May benefit from increased hydration

Transitioning Between Life Stages

When changing your cat's diet, do so gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset. Mix increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old food.