How much should a cat weigh? The answer depends on its breed and its size: a small cat typically weighs 2 to 4 kg, a medium cat 3 to 6 kg, and a large cat 5 to 11 kg. Most pet cats weigh about 3.5 to 5.5 kg, but a healthy cat can weigh more or less than that, depending on its breed, its frame, and its sex — a male is usually heavier than a female of the same breed. This guide gives the weight ranges by size and by breed, how to weigh a cat at home, and how to tell whether a cat is at a healthy weight. Every figure is a typical range, not a prescription: individual cats vary, and the vet's advice matters more than the table. The cat calorie calculator works out the daily calories for a cat of any weight.
The short version is: weigh your cat, feel its ribs and waist, and keep it at a body condition score of 4 or 5 out of 9. A cat's weight on the scales matters less than its shape: a cat that is 6 kg and lean is healthier than a cat that is 5 kg and fat. The is my cat overweight calculator guide helps you check your own cat's condition, and the cat ideal weight chart by size guide gives the ideal weight for every size.
How much should a cat weigh by size
A small cat typically weighs 2 to 4 kg, a medium cat 3 to 6 kg, and a large cat 5 to 11 kg. Those are typical ranges for adult cats, and they overlap: a large-framed medium cat can weigh more than a small-framed large cat, and a male is usually heavier than a female of the same breed. A cat's weight also changes with age: a kitten gains weight fast in its first year, an adult cat's weight is fairly stable, and a senior cat may lose weight as it ages — which is worth checking with a vet, because weight loss in a senior cat can be a sign of disease.
Most pet cats weigh about 3.5 to 5.5 kg, but that is an average, not a target: a healthy cat can weigh more or less than that, depending on its breed, its frame, and its sex. A Maine Coon, for example, typically weighs 6 to 11 kg, while a Singapura typically weighs 2 to 3 kg — and both are healthy at their own weight. The cat breeds hub lists every cat breed on this site by size and group, and each breed has its own age, food, and lifespan guide.
How much should a cat weigh by breed
The table below lists the ten heaviest cat breeds on this site, with their size, typical adult weight, and typical lifespan. Use it to see where your breed sits — and to know whether your cat's weight is in the typical range for its breed.
| Breed | Size | Typical adult weight | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Coon | Large | 6–11 kg | 10–13 years |
| Chausie | Large | 5–11 kg | 10–14 years |
| Pixie-Bob | Large | 5–11 kg | 10–14 years |
| Ragamuffin | Large | 5–11 kg | 10–14 years |
| Savannah | Large | 5–11 kg | 12–20 years |
| Highlander | Large | 5–11 kg | 10–14 years |
| Ragdoll | Large | 5–9 kg | 12–17 years |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Large | 5–9 kg | 14–16 years |
| Turkish Van | Large | 4–9 kg | 12–17 years |
| Siberian | Large | 4–9 kg | 11–15 years |
Read the table from top to bottom and the pattern is clear: the heaviest breeds are large, and the lightest breeds are small. A Maine Coon typically weighs 6 to 11 kg, while a Singapura typically weighs 2 to 3 kg — and both are healthy at their own weight. The cat breeds hub lists every cat breed on this site by size and group.
How to weigh a cat at home
The easiest way to weigh a cat at home is to weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the cat, and take the difference. Stand on the scales, note the reading, pick up the cat, note the reading again, and subtract the first from the second. Do it on a hard, flat floor, with the scales in the same place each time, and weigh the cat at the same time of day — a cat's weight can vary by a few hundred grams through the day, depending on when it last ate and drank.
Weigh your cat every month, and write the result down: a single reading matters less than the line over months. A cat that is gaining weight steadily needs less food, a cat that is losing weight steadily needs more food — or a vet check, if the loss is unexplained. A cat that loses more than a tenth of its body weight in a month, or that is losing weight and eating less, needs a vet check. The how to weigh your cat at home guide gives the method in full, and the cat weight loss diet plan guide covers a cat that needs to lose weight.
How to tell if a cat is at a healthy weight
The best way to tell if a cat is at a healthy weight is body condition score, or BCS: a 9-point scale, where 1 is very thin, 4 or 5 is ideal, and 9 is very fat. At a score of 4 or 5, you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, you can see a waist from above and from the side, and there is a small pad of fat on the belly. At a score of 6 or more, you cannot feel the ribs, there is no waist, and the belly hangs. At a score of 3 or less, you can see the ribs, the spine, and the hip bones, and there is no fat to feel.
| Score | Label | What you see and feel |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emaciated | Ribs, spine and hip bones are easy to see, even from a distance. No fat cover at all, and the waist is very obvious from above and from the side. |
| 2 | Very thin | Ribs are easy to see, and the waist and tummy tuck are very obvious. There is almost no fat to feel over the ribs. |
| 3 | Thin | Ribs are easy to feel and may be visible. The waist is obvious from above, and the tummy tuck is obvious from the side. |
| 4 | Ideal — lean end | Ribs are easy to feel under a thin layer of fat. The waist is easy to see from above, and the tummy tuck is visible from the side. |
| 5 | Ideal | Ribs are easy to feel under a thin layer of fat, with no fat to pinch. The waist is visible from above, and the tummy tuck is visible from the side. |
| 6 | Above ideal | Ribs are harder to feel — you have to press to find them. The waist is hard to see from above, and the tummy tuck is less obvious. |
| 7 | Overweight | Ribs are hard to feel under a clear layer of fat. The waist is hard to see from above, and the tummy tuck is gone from the side. |
| 8 | Very overweight | Ribs are very hard to feel. The waist is gone from above, and the belly is rounded or sagging from the side. |
| 9 | Obese | Ribs cannot be felt at all under a thick layer of fat. There is no waist from above, the belly is very rounded, and fat deposits are visible on the neck, limbs and chest. |
Use the table above to score your cat: look at it from above and from the side, feel its ribs and waist, and give it a score out of 9. A cat at a score of 4 or 5 is at a healthy weight, whatever the scales say. A cat at a score of 6 or more needs less food and more play; a cat at a score of 3 or less needs more food — or a vet check, if the loss is unexplained. The cat body condition score chart gives the 9-point scale in full, and the is my cat overweight calculator guide helps you check your own cat.
When to ask a vet about a cat's weight
Ask a vet if your cat is losing weight and you do not know why, if it is gaining weight on a measured amount of food, if it is at a body condition score of 3 or less or 7 or more, or if it has stopped eating. A cat that stops eating is an emergency: a cat that does not eat for more than a day or two can develop a serious liver problem, so do not wait. A vet can work out whether the weight is a problem, and what to do about it.
Ask a vet, too, if your cat is a senior and is losing weight: weight loss in a senior cat can be a sign of kidney disease, thyroid disease, or cancer, and the earlier it is found, the better the chance of treating it. A vet who knows your cat will notice changes sooner, and will know what is normal for your individual cat. The cat calorie calculator guide works out how much to feed, and the senior cat diet guide covers feeding in the senior years.
For related reading, see the cat calorie calculator, the is my cat overweight calculator guide, the cat ideal weight chart by size guide, the cat breeds hub, the cat lifespan estimator, the how to weigh your cat at home guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a cat weigh?
A small cat typically weighs 2 to 4 kg, a medium cat 3 to 6 kg, and a large cat 5 to 11 kg. Most pet cats weigh about 3.5 to 5.5 kg, but a healthy cat can weigh more or less than that, depending on its breed, its frame, and its sex. A cat's weight on the scales matters less than its shape.
How much should a Maine Coon weigh?
A Maine Coon typically weighs 6 to 11 kg, with a typical lifespan of 10 to 13 years. That is much heavier than most cats, but it is normal for the breed — a Maine Coon is a large breed, and it keeps growing until it is 2 to 4 years old.
How do I weigh my cat at home?
Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the cat, and take the difference. Do it on a hard, flat floor, with the scales in the same place each time, and weigh the cat at the same time of day. Weigh your cat every month, and write the result down — the line over months matters more than any single reading.
How do I know if my cat is overweight?
Use body condition score: at a score of 4 or 5 out of 9, you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, you can see a waist from above and from the side, and there is a small pad of fat on the belly. At a score of 6 or more, you cannot feel the ribs, there is no waist, and the belly hangs. The is my cat overweight calculator helps you check your own cat.
Is my cat too thin?
At a body condition score of 3 or less, you can see the ribs, the spine, and the hip bones, and there is no fat to feel. A cat that is too thin needs more food — or a vet check, if the loss is unexplained. A cat that stops eating is an emergency: a cat that does not eat for more than a day or two can develop a serious liver problem.
When should I ask a vet about my cat's weight?
Ask a vet if your cat is losing weight and you do not know why, if it is gaining weight on a measured amount of food, if it is at a body condition score of 3 or less or 7 or more, or if it has stopped eating. A vet can work out whether the weight is a problem, and what to do about it.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.