Kitten Growth Chart
Track your kitten's growth from newborn to adulthood. Learn about weekly weight milestones, temperature requirements, and when kittens reach full size.
Read Guide →The Ultimate Cat Weight & Growth Guide
Everything you need to know about cat weight by age, from newborn kittens to senior cats. Learn about normal cat weight, breed-specific ranges, growth milestones, and how to assess your cat's health.
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Understanding Cat Weight by Age
A comprehensive guide to feline physical development
Normal Cat Weight Ranges
Most domestic cats weigh between 8-12 pounds, with males typically weighing 1-2 pounds more than females. However, weight varies significantly by breed, body frame, and age. Small breeds like Singapura may weigh 4-8 pounds, while large breeds like Maine Coon can weigh 12-20 pounds. Understanding what's normal for your cat's breed and frame is essential for assessing their health.
Cat Weight by Age
Kittens grow rapidly in their first year, doubling their birth weight in the first week and reaching adult size by 12 months. Newborn kittens weigh 3-4 ounces, while 8-week-old kittens typically weigh 1.5-2 pounds. By 6 months, most kittens reach 5-6 pounds. Adult cats maintain relatively stable weight, though senior cats (10+ years) may experience weight loss due to age-related changes.
Average Cat Weight
The average weight for a domestic cat is 10-12 pounds (4.5-5.4 kg). However, this is just a general guideline. Breed-specific averages range from 5-10 pounds for Siamese cats to 12-20 pounds for Maine Coons. Body Condition Score (BCS) is often more reliable than weight alone for assessing health, as it accounts for body frame and muscle mass.
Assessing Your Cat's Weight
Use both weight and Body Condition Score to assess your cat's health. A healthy cat should have ribs easily felt but not visible, a visible waist behind the ribs, and minimal abdominal fat. Our Cat Weight Calculator compares your cat's weight to breed standards, while our Cat BMI Calculator assesses body condition using visual and tactile evaluation.
Explore Our Cat Weight Guides
Dive deeper into specific aspects of cat weight and growth with our comprehensive guides
Average Cat Weight by Breed
Compare weight ranges across popular cat breeds. Learn about Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, and other breed-specific weight standards.
Read Guide →Cat Body Condition Score
Learn how to assess your cat's body condition using visual and tactile evaluation. Includes a visual guide to identify underweight, ideal, and overweight cats.
Read Guide →How Big Will My Cat Get?
Predict your kitten's adult size using age, current weight, and breed. Learn about factors that influence adult size and growth patterns.
Read Guide →Is My Cat Overweight?
Understand weight benchmarks for small, average, and large frame cats. Learn to distinguish between naturally large cats and obesity.
Read Guide →Use Our Calculators
Get personalized assessments with our free cat weight and health calculators.
Key Topics Covered
Everything you need to know about cat weight and growth
Kitten Growth & Development
Learn about kitten growth milestones from birth to adulthood. Understand weekly weight expectations, temperature requirements for newborns, and when kittens reach full size. Use our Kitten Growth Calculator to track your kitten's progress.
Breed-Specific Weight Standards
Compare weight ranges across popular cat breeds. Understand how Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, and other breeds differ in size. Learn about male vs. female weight differences and how to assess mixed breed cats.
Body Condition Assessment
Master the Body Condition Score (BCS) system to assess your cat's health visually and tactually. Learn to identify underweight, ideal, and overweight cats. Understand why BCS is often more reliable than weight alone.
Size Prediction
Predict your kitten's adult size using age, current weight, and breed information. Learn about factors that influence adult size, including genetics and nutrition. Use our Kitten Weight Calculator for personalized predictions.
Weight Benchmarks
Understand weight benchmarks for different body frames. Learn to distinguish between naturally large cats and obesity. Get guidance on when to be concerned about your cat's weight.
Health Troubleshooting
Learn what to do if your cat is underweight or overweight. Get guidance on safe weight gain and weight loss strategies. Understand when to consult your veterinarian for weight-related concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Weight
Common questions about cat weight by age, breed, and health assessment
What is a normal cat weight?
Normal cat weight varies by breed, age, and body frame. Most domestic cats weigh between 8-12 pounds, with males typically weighing 1-2 pounds more than females. Small breeds like Singapura may weigh 4-8 pounds, while large breeds like Maine Coon can weigh 12-20 pounds. Use our Cat Weight Calculator to compare your cat's weight to breed standards.
How much should a cat weigh by age?
Kittens grow rapidly in their first year. Newborn kittens weigh 3-4 ounces, doubling their weight in the first week. By 8 weeks, kittens typically weigh 1.5-2 pounds. By 6 months, most kittens reach 5-6 pounds, and by 1 year, they reach their adult weight. Adult cats maintain relatively stable weight, though senior cats may lose weight due to age-related changes. See our Kitten Growth Chart for detailed milestones.
What is the average weight for a cat?
The average weight for a domestic cat is 10-12 pounds (4.5-5.4 kg). However, this varies significantly by breed. Siamese cats average 5-10 pounds, while Maine Coons average 12-20 pounds. Body frame also matters - a 10-pound cat with a small frame may be overweight, while a 15-pound Maine Coon may be ideal. Check our Average Cat Weight by Breed guide for breed-specific ranges.
How do I know if my cat is at a healthy weight?
Use both weight and Body Condition Score (BCS) to assess your cat's health. A healthy cat should have ribs easily felt but not visible, a visible waist behind the ribs, and minimal abdominal fat. Use our Cat BMI Calculator to assess body condition, or our Cat Weight Calculator to compare to breed standards. If your cat is outside the ideal range, consult your veterinarian.
Is my cat overweight?
Signs of an overweight cat include difficulty feeling ribs under fat, no visible waist, and abdominal fat pads. Cats with a Body Condition Score of 4-5 are considered overweight to obese. A cat weighing 15+ pounds may be overweight unless it's a large breed like Maine Coon. Use our "Is My Cat Overweight?" guide to understand weight benchmarks, or try our Cat Weight Loss Calculator for a personalized plan.
How can I help my cat maintain a healthy weight?
Feed your cat appropriate portions based on their weight, age, and activity level using our Cat Nutrition Calculator. Provide regular exercise through play. Monitor weight monthly and adjust food intake as needed. For overweight cats, use our Cat Weight Loss Calculator to create a safe weight loss plan. Always consult your veterinarian before making significant dietary changes.
Do different cat breeds have different weight ranges?
Yes, cat breeds vary significantly in size. Small breeds like Singapura (4-8 lbs) and Devon Rex (6-9 lbs) are much smaller than large breeds like Maine Coon (12-20 lbs) and Norwegian Forest Cat (8-16 lbs). Medium breeds like American Shorthair (10-15 lbs) and Siamese (5-10 lbs) fall in between. See our Average Cat Weight by Breed guide for a complete comparison table.
When do kittens stop growing?
Most kittens reach their full adult size by 12 months (52 weeks), though large breed cats like Maine Coons may continue growing until 18-24 months. Kittens grow most rapidly in their first 6 months, reaching about 75% of adult size by 6 months. Use our Kitten Growth Calculator to track growth milestones and predict adult size.
Ready to Assess Your Cat's Weight?
Use our free calculators to get personalized weight assessments and health recommendations for your cat.