Cat Ideal Weight Calculator
Look up the healthy weight range for 28 cat breeds at Body Condition Score 4–5 out of 9. Separate male/female ranges, obesity-prone callouts, and a quick comparison against your cat's current weight.
By Paws & Pounds Research Team — reviewed against WSAVA/AAHA guidelines. Last updated .
Quick answer
An average healthy adult cat weighs 8–10 lb (3.5–4.5 kg). Large breeds like the Maine Coon can reach 13–22 lb (6–10 kg) and remain lean, while small breeds like the Singapura may top out at 4 lb (1.8 kg). Males are typically 15–30% heavier than females of the same breed. Combine the breed range with a Body Condition Score check — the scale alone is not decisive.
Ideal weight range · British Shorthair · male
12.1 – 17.6lb
Healthy adult at Body Condition Score 4–5 of 9. Rounded to one decimal place.
Next step: assess BCS visually →
A 9-point body-condition check is more reliable than the scale alone.
Calculate daily calories →
Feed-plan in grams based on RER × activity factor.
Estimate only — consult your vet before changing your cat's diet.
How to use this tool
- Pick your breed. Select from the grouped dropdown (small < 4 kg, medium 4–6 kg, large > 6 kg). If you have a mix, pick the closest visual match.
- Pick the sex. Male ranges are typically higher. If your cat is neutered/spayed the ideal range is unchanged — but daily calories should be ~20% lower (see our Cat Calorie Calculator).
- Enter current weight (optional). The visual bar shows where your cat sits relative to the breed ideal. The verdict block tells you whether a nudge up or down is warranted.
- Confirm with a BCS check. A breed-standard number is a guide, not a diagnosis. Use our 9-point Body Condition Score tool for the decisive assessment.
All 28 breed ideal weights
Healthy adult weight ranges (BCS 4–5 / 9) sourced from CFA breed standards cross-referenced with WSAVA/AAHA clinical guidelines. Males / females listed in kg.
| Breed | Male (kg) | Female (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssinian | 3.6 – 5.4 | 2.7 – 4.5 | — |
| American Shorthair | 5 – 7 | 3.5 – 5.5 | Obesity-prone |
| Balinese | 3.5 – 5 | 2.5 – 4 | — |
| Bengal | 4.5 – 6.8 | 3.6 – 5.4 | — |
| Birman | 4 – 6 | 3 – 5 | — |
| Bombay | 4 – 5 | 3 – 4 | Obesity-prone |
| British Shorthair | 5.5 – 8 | 4 – 6 | Obesity-prone |
| Burmese | 4 – 5.5 | 3 – 4.5 | Obesity-prone |
| Chartreux | 5 – 7 | 3 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| Cornish Rex | 3 – 4.5 | 2.5 – 3.5 | — |
| Devon Rex | 3 – 4.5 | 2.5 – 3.5 | — |
| Exotic Shorthair | 4.5 – 7 | 3 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| Himalayan | 4.5 – 6 | 3.5 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| Maine Coon | 6 – 10 | 4 – 7 | — |
| Manx | 4 – 5.5 | 3 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 5 – 9 | 3.5 – 6 | — |
| Oriental Shorthair | 3.5 – 5.5 | 2.5 – 4 | — |
| Persian | 4.5 – 6 | 3.5 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| RagaMuffin | 5.5 – 9 | 4.5 – 7 | — |
| Ragdoll | 5.5 – 9 | 4 – 7 | — |
| Russian Blue | 4 – 6 | 3 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| Scottish Fold | 4 – 6 | 3 – 5 | Obesity-prone |
| Siamese | 4 – 5.5 | 3 – 4.5 | — |
| Siberian | 5 – 8 | 3.5 – 6 | — |
| Somali | 4 – 5.5 | 3 – 4.5 | — |
| Sphynx | 3.5 – 5.5 | 3 – 4.5 | — |
| Tonkinese | 3.5 – 5.5 | 2.5 – 4 | — |
| Turkish Angora | 3.5 – 5 | 2.5 – 4 | — |
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if my cat is overweight?
- Look up your breed's ideal range in the tool above, then do a Body Condition Score check: you should be able to feel your cat's ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, see a visible waist from above, and feel a slight tummy tuck from the side. If ribs are hard to find or the belly is pendulous, your cat is likely above ideal weight.
- What's the healthiest weight for an adult cat?
- For a typical adult domestic shorthair, 8–10 lb (3.5–4.5 kg) is a reasonable healthy range. But breed matters: a Maine Coon male can be 13–22 lb (6–10 kg) and still lean, while a Singapura female might weigh only 4 lb (1.8 kg). Use the breed selector above for a specific range.
- Why is my male cat heavier than my female cat?
- Sexual dimorphism in cats is real but modest — adult males are typically 15–30% heavier than females of the same breed due to larger bone structure and muscle mass. The tool shows separate male/female ranges because the spread is meaningful (e.g. Ragdoll males 12–20 lb vs females 8–15 lb).
- My cat is a mix — which breed should I pick?
- Pick the breed your cat most visually resembles, or default to 8–10 lb (3.5–4.5 kg) for a medium-frame domestic shorthair. Mixed cats vary more than purebreds, so pairing this lookup with a Body Condition Score check is essential — the visual assessment matters more than the breed standard.
- My cat is above the range but my vet isn't concerned — should I worry?
- A 5–10% excess is common in healthy adult cats and often manageable with a gentle calorie reduction. But a 20%+ excess (clinical obesity per AAHA) shortens lifespan and increases diabetes, arthritis, and urinary tract disease risk. Ask your vet for a Body Condition Score — that's the decisive metric, not the scale alone.
- How often should I weigh my cat?
- Monthly for adult cats at ideal weight, weekly during active weight loss or weight gain, and immediately if you notice changes in appetite or energy. Home method: weigh yourself, then yourself holding the cat, and subtract — most human bathroom scales are accurate enough for cats over 3 lb.
- Which cat breeds are most prone to obesity?
- Based on our breed database, the most obesity-prone breeds are British Shorthair, Persian, Burmese, American Shorthair, Himalayan, Scottish Fold, Exotic Shorthair, Russian Blue, Chartreux, and Manx. These breeds tend to have lower activity drives, food-motivated personalities, or genetic predispositions. They typically need 10–15% fewer calories than a similarly-sized active breed.
- What if my breed isn't listed?
- We currently cover 29 breeds from the Paws & Pounds database. If your breed isn't listed, select the closest visual match or use 'Mixed / Unknown' and rely on the Body Condition Score check. We add breeds quarterly based on demand — email [email protected] if yours is missing.
Track weight trends over months, not moments
The Paws & Pounds app logs every weigh-in, auto-adjusts the calorie target as you approach the ideal range, and charts the full trend so you can share it with your vet. Household members log meals together to stop accidental double-feeding — the #1 cause of stalled weight loss.
Sources & further reading
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit — Body Condition Score & Ideal Weight Assessment — World Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2021
- 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats — American Animal Hospital Association, 2014
- Cat Fanciers' Association — Breed Standards & Weight Guidelines — CFA, 2023
- AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines — Nutrition and feeding recommendations — American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2021