Does a cat’s weight change over time?

Until now, pet owners and veterinarians didn’t know for sure, however, a recent study by the University of Guelph in Canada has analysed data on more than 19 million cats to get a clearer picture of typical weight gain over a cat’s lifetime.

What did the study find?

The research revealed that even after a cat has matured into an adult from a kitten, their weight continues to creep up until they are around eight years old on average.

The investigation analysed 54 million weight measurements that had been collated from vet surgeries on 19 million cats. The data was then broken down to determine if there were any differences between gender, neutering status and breed. It was found male cats tended to reach higher weight peaks than females and sterilised or neutered cats tended to be heavier than unaltered cats.

Obesity in cats can be a concerning topic, as we know that this can be a risk factor for diseases such as osteoarthritis, diabetes and heart disease, which is why it is of huge importance for pet owners to regularly monitor their cat’s weight to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight as they age.

Here at Paws Pet Food, the Connoisseur Cat range includes a total of four recipes, in which two have been specifically formulated for sterilised adult cats to help support a healthy weight in sterilised/neutered, indoor and senior cats. One of the main benefits of these recipes is that they have been formulated to be low in fat to help counteract the risk of unwanted weight gain.