My indoor cat's belly is fat and furless. Should I be worried?

Cats can get overweight from eating too much and get a fat belly, but I wouldn't say it's normal. I would say it's unhealthy to have a fat belly. Being overweight can predispose cats to many health issues including joint problems, diabetes, and cardiac disease. I would have Ernie seen by a vet on Monday for a health check. The vet can confirm that he is overweight and can discuss a diet plan for him.

She is most definitely overweight (fat pad can be clearly seen in front of the back legs / below the abdomen). If she has any additional clinical signs I would recommend a blood test to help determine if the obesity is triggered by any medical condition or even if it has caused any problems such as liver issues. I strongly recommend you start a weight management programme such as hills metabolic or royal canin satiety to help reduce the weight (and with it risks of obesity, joint and inflammatory conditions linked with excess weight)

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. He will need to see a veterinarian to determine if he is overweight or if he is experiencing a medical problem such as parasites or fluid pooling in his abdomen. His veterinarian will examine him and feel his belly. Depending on his exam findings, x-rays may be recommended. I hope this information helps!

Worms can cause abdominal distention. Some pets can also have a very slow metabolism and she may be taking in too many calories. I recommend to have her stool checked for worms and a physical exam. The doctor can calculate exactly how many calories she needs to achieve a healthy weight based upon her body structure of it’s not parasites. I hope this helps.

Hi there. It's possible that she's simply gaining weight as she gets older, especially if she's not as active now as she used to be or if she's getting more food than in the past. But, an enlarged abdomen could also be caused by heart disease, liver disease, FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), or an abdominal tumor of some kind. These things are less likely if she is acting completely normal, but to be on the safe side, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a vet when you are able to. He/she can palpate her abdomen to check for any abnormalities, and may recommend x-rays or other testing if there are any concerns.

It is common for larger/overweight cats to develop a large fat pad in this area; this can occasionally become damaged/infected and painful. I recommend you ask your vet tech to check the area and advise if any further tests or biopsy s required. If he is overweight for his size, they can also advise on wiehgt management options to prevent further complications such as joint disease and diabetes

If you feel she is not spayed then I would plan on getting her fixed soon. That will help prevent her from getting pregnant in the future and also it will eliminate her risk of developing a condition called pyometra (spontaneous infected uterus). Her belly fat is probably normal, so unless she is considered to be overweight then continue with her normal diet (Hill's Science Diet, Iams, Evo (Innova), adult cat food). Here is a website link to help you determine if she is ideal weight or not https://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20cats.pdf OR you can have her examined by your local veterinarian. As long as she is eating, drinking, urinating and defecating normal, then she is likely fine. Just check with your local vet to make sure she is fully vaccinated to protect her from preventable diseases. Best wishes with your newly adopted pet.