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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Big cat

32 replies

Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 19:27

We got 2 rescue kittens in July. They are 10 months old now and I just had one weighed for flea treatment. He is 5.25kg and the nurse said he is overweight. How do they know? He doesn't look fat, just big. He is part ginger and I wondered if breed counts? I couldn't weigh his sister but she looks smaller. I couldn't get her in the carrier Blush

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5
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 04/02/2022 19:32

5.25kg is pretty big for a 10 month old kitten.
You may have a large cat, or you may have a fatty. A photo would help.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 19:56

Thanks. I hardly ever take photos. Found this one from about 2 weeks ago but it's not a great photo.

Big cat
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Susu49 · 04/02/2022 19:59

Oh, he's not fat!

He's still growing, as long as he's not gorging unnecessarily I wouldn't worry.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 20:00

Also this one, one month ago

Big cat
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Original poster
Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 20:01

Thank you

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Undecicive · 04/02/2022 20:02

He's no 'breed' but definitely not overweight.

HelloKeith · 04/02/2022 20:15

He's not fat, he's big boned Grin

We had similar issues with our boy/girl siblings in that he was knocking 5 kgs and she was barely 3kg. At his 2 year check the vet said he needed to eat less - but he was still kitten shaped, if you see what I mean. He's now just 4, at the last two check ups the vet hasn't mentioned his weight at all as an issue and they both have filled out into a proper cat shape over the last 6 months or so. He'll still eat at least a pouch more than her.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 20:21

OK thanks all. I thought he looked ok.

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ClariceQuiff · 04/02/2022 20:23

If you google you can find a weight by length chart for cats. Their build apart from length is also a factor but it would give you a rough idea of what he should weigh.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 20:25

That's a great idea. He is long. Thanks

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Fluffycloudland77 · 04/02/2022 20:28

He’s not full grown yet, they go chunky to gangly and back again.

TheSpottedZebra · 04/02/2022 20:30

It's unlikely that she was just being mean, so it's possible that he's getting a bit hefty. Put obesity is a massive problem! My big cat has a tendency to Chunk, so I have to keep a watchful eye. These sorts of charts help me, especially the image of body shape from above.

chart

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 04/02/2022 20:49

Well looking at the first photo it appears he may be growing his own mushrooms and cooking tins of soup(?) on the quiet.

And lounging about all day playing chess (photo 2) isn't going to help.

Could this explain any weight gain?

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 04/02/2022 20:54

Ha ha I'll have words with him. Those charts are interesting actually, thanks.

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Toddlerteaplease · 04/02/2022 21:07

The vet told me that my 4.5kg was obese. She's not. She's just a different shape to moggies. With very short legs and a thick body

Allergictoironing · 05/02/2022 08:46

I had a vet nurse tell me over the phone that at 6kg Boycat must be fat. Apologised to me when she saw him - very long, reasonable height. Mine are the sinuous type, so any excess would show up quickly whereas my DSis's beloved girl was short and cuddly from day one.

Fluffycloudland77 · 05/02/2022 12:03

I think most of us go a bit "fuck you, my child is completely normal" when weight is mentioned.

If your cat looks like an overstuffed pyjama case then yes it does need to diet.

I cant win with our cat, dh is either saying this cat is too fat as he dispenses dreamies and cold cuts or telling me I'm not feeding her enough.

ClariceQuiff · 05/02/2022 12:18

My boy cat is overweight - we are trying to get his weight down but he's a food-stealer. He's a long cat as well - picking him up is like an exercise in weight lifting. I love him whatever he weighs, but obviously I want us to have as long as possible together so I'm trying to keep him healthy.

My girl cat seems to self-regulate, her weight has been the same for years.

I have heard that neutered males have a particular tendency to get fat.

Plump82 · 05/02/2022 13:29

Our old cat was fat. She was rescued fat and we did get her weight down but the associated health issues that came with her being so over weight has made me very wary of letting my new cats get overweight. We wont have an issue with our girl as she's tiny and had hardly any appetite but our boy cat will eat anything. However he's also a giant! And much bigger than your cat. Mine isn't over weight though, just very long with huge legs!!

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 05/02/2022 14:32

Thanks everyone.

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Theunamedcat · 05/02/2022 14:34

Mine was 8.9 kilos and definitely in the overweight category

TheGonnagle · 05/02/2022 14:38

My cat is massive. When we got him he weighed 10kg, he was enormously overweight. We got his weight down to 6kg but he was unwell, skinny and sad. He’s now a technically unhealthy almost 8kg but is far more himself with glossy fur and a big purr. One size doesn’t fit all.
Here he is, watching the skeleton bob from his favourite beanbag.

Big cat
TroysMammy · 06/02/2022 09:11

Haribo was 6.4kg at his last vet visit. I could see he was a fatty before the vet confirmed it. He's on a diet until he is a bit sleeker and he's already feeling lighter. When he's at his recommended weight I'll be more careful with is portions and ensure my DP doesn't buy him more tuna and stuff him up with treats.

TroysMammy · 06/02/2022 09:12

I knew Haribo was fat because he has a little head. He looked like a skittle.

Original poster
Notdoingthis · 06/02/2022 14:38

Oh that black cat is super! Some big cats around!

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