Average cat weight: healthy weight checker and charts

Average cat weight by breed

These are typical healthy adult weight ranges used by our checker. Individual cats can be healthy slightly outside them, which is why body condition matters too.

Breed	Female (kg)	Male (kg)
Domestic moggy (short or long hair)	3.3–4.5	4–5.5
Abyssinian	3–4	3.5–5
Bengal	3.6–5.4	4.5–6.8
Birman	3.5–5	4.5–6.5
British Shorthair	4–5.5	5–7.5
Burmese	3–4.5	4–5.5
Devon Rex	2.5–3.5	3.5–4.5
Maine Coon	5.5–7	6.5–9
Norwegian Forest	4–6	5.5–8
Oriental Shorthair	2.5–4	3.5–5.5
Persian	3.2–4.5	4–5.5
Ragdoll	4.5–6.5	6–9
Russian Blue	3–4	4–5.5
Siamese	2.5–4	3.5–5
Siberian	4–6	5.5–8
Sphynx	3–4	3.5–5.5

Normal cat weight in kg: what's healthy?

Neutered cats often gain weight because their energy needs drop by around a quarter while their appetite stays the same. Recent PDSA research suggests that a large share of UK cats are overweight, and many owners don't realise it.

Kitten weight chart

Kitten's age	Typical weight
Birth	90–110 g
1 week	150–200 g
2 weeks	200–300 g
3 weeks	300–400 g
4 weeks	400–500 g
6 weeks	600–800 g
8 weeks	0.9–1.1 kg
3 months	1.3–1.8 kg
4 months	1.8–2.3 kg
5 months	2–2.7 kg
6 months	2.3–3.2 kg
9 months	2.8–4 kg
12 months	3–4.5 kg (large breeds keep growing)

A simple rule of thumb: healthy kittens gain about 10–15 g a day in the first weeks, and roughly 450 g a month until about 5 months. Weigh young kittens daily if they're being hand-reared or fostered. A kitten that stops gaining weight or loses weight needs a vet check the same day. See our guide to fostering a cat for caring for young kittens.

Ideal cat weight: body condition score

Vets use a 9-point body condition score (BCS), where 5 is ideal. Each point above 5 is about 10% overweight.

Score	What you see and feel
1–3: Underweight	Ribs, spine and hip bones easy to see; little or no fat; obvious waist
4: Slim	Ribs easy to feel with minimal fat; clear waist
5: Ideal	Ribs felt with light pressure; visible waist; small belly fat pad
6–7: Overweight	Ribs harder to feel; waist faint or absent; belly pouch
8–9: Obese	Ribs can't be felt; heavy fat over chest, spine and belly; rounded body

How to check your cat's weight by feel

1. Ribs: run your hands along your cat's sides. You should feel the ribs easily, like the back of your hand.
2. Waist: look down from above. There should be a slight inward curve behind the ribs.
3. Belly: look from the side. A small, loose fat pad (the "primordial pouch") is normal, but a large, firm, rounded belly isn't.

Is my cat overweight?

Excess weight raises the risk of diabetes, arthritis, urinary problems, skin issues from difficulty grooming, and a shorter life. If your cat is overweight:

• Measure food accurately with our cat food calculator, using the target weight.
• Cut treats to under 10% of daily calories.
• Encourage play for 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times a day.
• Use puzzle feeders to slow eating.
• Aim to lose 1 to 2% of body weight a week, and ask your vet about a weight clinic.

Is my cat underweight?

A cat that's too thin or losing weight without a diet should see a vet. Common causes include hyperthyroidism (see Thyronorm for cats), kidney disease (see renal diets), diabetes, dental pain (see our cat dental chart), worms (see cat worming) and stress. Older cats naturally lose some muscle, but steady weight loss isn't normal at any age.

Cat weight by age

Most cats reach adult weight by 12 to 18 months, but large and slow-maturing breeds keep growing for longer: up to 3 to 5 years in Maine Coons, and about 3 years in British Shorthairs. Weight often creeps up between ages 3 and 10, especially after neutering, then may fall in senior years. Weighing your cat monthly and comparing with the healthy range is the best way to catch changes early. See what your cat's age means in human years with our cat years calculator.