Is my cat too skinny? How can I tell if she's underweight?

Hello! Felix is quite a handsome boy. From the picture, he doesn't look too slim to me, but I can't say for certain without seeing him in person. He should have a waistline, which it appears he does, and you don't want a fat cat. It's not healthy for him. My best guess from the picture is that he looks really good, nothing to be concerned about, but because I can't say it for certain, you can always have him checked out by a vet to be safe. I will also give you a link to a website that details body condition score in cats. This will help you determine if he's too skinny or not. I hope this helps :-) https://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20cats.pdf

Have DoReMi examined by your veterinarian. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites which can affect weight and weight gain. Blood work may diagnose metabolic conditions or endocrine imbalances as well. Your vet can teach you how to assess your cat's Body Condition Score (BCS). This, in addition to weighing, can help you get and keep your cat into peak condition. You can follow this link to familiarize yourself with the BCS prior to the visit to your veterinarian. https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/health-and-nutrition/exercise-and-weight-management/assessing-your-cat's-body-condition

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is very hard to assess that from just pictures. In one of the pictures that you can see her right side she looks ok though it really takes an examination and palpation to be able to say it accurately. You want to be able to feel the ribs easily though they should not be prominent. That is one of the things we evaluate when assessing body condition score. Your veterinarian could easily tell you with an examination. Good luck!

It's difficult to say for sure from the picture, but it looks like Phoenix has a bigger belly than he should. We assess overweight animals by assessing their body condition and scoring it based on observations. It's a bit vague, but gives a good idea of how much fat needs to be lost. Below is a link to a guide for scoring body condition. It's best to keep them at a 4-5 BCS, because thinner cats tend to be healthier and live longer. https://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20cats.pdf For further information about maintaining an ideal body condition, please read the short article at the link below. http://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_ct_obesity_in_cats_and_what_to_do_about_an_overweight_cat I hope that helps and all is well with Phoenix.

Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! Cats and dogs can vary in size based on genetics. If Kenny is small but otherwise healthy he is likely normal. If he is skinny then I would be sure he has been properly dewormed. It would be best to have his stool tested. If he is older then a physical exam and blood work may be warranted. You can always post a picture. I have attached a body condition score chart attached for you to view and decide if Kenny is too thin. I hope this helps and I wish you and Kenny the best! https://oregonvma.org/files/Purina-Cat-Condition-Chart.pdf

I would first want to rule-out a disease, or parasite causing him to lose or not gain weight. If the vet was not concerned about a possible medical issue, then I would not be overly concerned about her being a little skinny. The truth is that a score of four is not bad and lean cats are statistically healthier and live longer than overweight cats. Some cats (much like people) are able to naturally maintain a lean body condition. I suspect Choo Choo is one of those cats, but would urge you to discuss this with your vet before making any changes to his diet. At this time, I recommend feeding him normally and would not recommend a diet change until advised by your veterinarian. I hope that helps and all is well with Choo Choo.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. 3kg can be a normal weight for a cat, however this depends on her size. If you can feel her ribs but just barely, this is usually a good indication of a good weight. If you can feel her ribs very easily she is likely too thin, and if you can't feel her ribs she is too fat. Most cats will self-regulate amount to eat, so just leave food down for her. If she is happy, playing, energetic and having good poops, then the food is probably fine. Just make sure she is dewormed and has a product for fleas. Make sure you use a cat product, dog products can be fatal to cats. Best of luck with Noushmc.