Cats flabby bit under tummy

[Rainydays55]

Does anyone else’s male cat have like a pouch under their tummy? It wobbles a bit when they move? Does it mean they are overweight? The vet has never mentioned it, my cat is coming up to 2 and I just wondered why some cats have it and some don’t!

I've two cats , same diet etc one has this and the other doesn't.
Male neutered cats are prone to having a tummy despite your best efforts to prevent it.

It's called a primordial pouch. All cats have them, some are saggier than others.

Harry has a spectacular primordial pouch (or primordial paunch as we call it) - it swings from side to side when he runs! A stupid vet once told me that he needed to lose it to be healthy but short of a tummy tuck there's not a lot we can do as it's just loose skin!

Both my male cats have had this. We call it a furry curtain.

Yes lions have them! It's also known as a cookie pouch. I relate.

All cats have it (including big cats), it's loose skin to help them jump and run, if they didn't have it they wouldn't be as light on their feet when they need to move quickly

We have two cats, one has it. He's a tabby, and I've also seen it in another tabby - I wonder if this is a thing?

My friends cats and Cheddar all have this. All girls. Not sure about Snorg as she's to fluffy.

Helps them stretch out for those long jumps. Evolutionary not appetite based.

Also a good fat base to store calories for the lean times. (Feral not dreamies lean times!)

Omg, I took in a cat during lockdown and I’ve been noticing this as he’s put on weight. I was concerned as despite having/fostering 13 cats in the past few years (and having another 10 or so prior to this) I’ve never noticed it on another cat AT ALL! So pleased you’ve answered my question before I went to the vet!

We call it the Spare Bit after a story in E.Nesbit's Book of Dragons.

Touching the Spare Bit is forbidden bit also oh so tempting!

My girl cat had this ( she passed away aged 19)....when she walked/waddled, she looked like an electric eel.....

It is also to help with fighting. The opponent tries to, bite/claw at vital organs, and just grabs skin. I always say it’s a sign of a warrior cat (!)

@claireb7rg

All cats have it (including big cats), it's loose skin to help them jump and run, if they didn't have it they wouldn't be as light on their feet when they need to move quickly

Well someone needs to let my cat know this as im pretty sure she has never moved quickly in her life she's also distinctly heavy footed/pawed to the point I think it's a human thumping up and down the stairs

Primordial pouches protect a cat's most delicate parts especially in fights. A bunny or cow kick by another cat could inflict a lot of damage.

It's their trousers.

Our cats had this. We called it their 'rutunder' no idea where the name came from

@BillMasheen

It is also to help with fighting. The opponent tries to, bite/claw at vital organs, and just grabs skin. I always say it’s a sign of a warrior cat (!)

My softest chap has such a pouch. He's so so far from a warrior. He actually gets down from a sunny windowsill if there is a fly... on the other side of the glass! But I like the thought.

He is a bit plumptious, but he's had the pouch since he was a kitten. His brother has no pouch.

When Haribo sits upright it looks like he's got a cleavage .

BastardCat has a pouch second to none; he can store food, weapons, stray kittens etc. It’s a sight to behold if he wanders off for a trot.

This is an old picture of Harry but you can see his little belly hanging down

There is a good video about this (and assessing feline obesity) by the Helpful Vancouver Vet on YouTube.

Tl:Dr - the pouch is not a problem!

Primordial pouch? I've always called it the whiffle zone.
It's very soft.

Well I never knew this! Our cat is 13 and we've often wondered what it is! He is very agile indeed and a bit of a warrior, mystery solved!!