{"id":15231,"date":"2023-07-10T16:34:52","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T21:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/?p=15231"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T21:22:15","slug":"is-my-cat-fat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/blog\/health\/weight-management\/is-my-cat-fat\/","title":{"rendered":"Is My Cat Fat or ??"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you looked at your cat and thought, \u201cHmm, is my cat fat? Or is something else going on?\u201d There are many reasons why your cat can look<\/em> chubby, ranging from fluffy hair to a medical problem or they really are just a fat little feline. We\u2019ll help you work out if your cat is overweight or if something else could be going on.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, It\u2019s Kittens!<\/h2>\n

If your cat is male or a female who has been spayed, obviously you can rule this one out. But if you have a female cat who isn\u2019t spayed and she lives with a male cat who isn\u2019t neutered, well, you might be about to become a pet grandparent. Similarly, if your female cat spends any<\/em> time outdoors, she could be pregnant \u2014 because you never know who\u2019s jumping over the back fence.<\/p>\n

If your cat looks like she\u2019s put on weight over a short period of time, particularly around her abdomen, this could mean bouncing baby kitties are on their way. Other signs of pregnancy in cats include swollen and pink nipples, eating and sleeping more, and vomiting. She may also like to cuddle more than she used to. It\u2019s important to have your veterinarian examine your cat if you think she\u2019s pregnant, so that she and her kittens remain healthy.<\/p>\n

A Belly Full of Worms?<\/h2>\n

If your cat has a potbelly, it may be due to an intestinal parasite infection like roundworms. If it\u2019s a heavy infestation, the worms can cause the abdomen to become distended (enlarged). Kittens are more likely to have intestinal parasites than adult cats, so a potbelly due to worms is more common in kittens. Other symptoms of intestinal parasites include vomiting, diarrhea and appetite loss. It\u2019s important to deworm your cat if they do have intestinal parasites (ask your veterinarian about this) and to prevent them in the first place by using year-round parasite control medication.<\/p>\n

Is it a Tumor? Or FIP?<\/h2>\n

Sometimes health issues can cause cats to have a big belly, including organ enlargement due to an illness (e.g., heart disease), fluid retention (ascites), cancer or a tumor. Another cause of an enlarged abdomen is feline infectious peritonitis<\/a> (FIP). This viral disease, which is usually fatal, has two forms \u2014 effusive (wet) and non-effusive (dry). Cats with the effusive form have noticeable fluid buildup in the abdomen and chest, while cats with the non-effusive form have inflammation of their internal organs. Both forms are usually present to some extent in cats with FIP, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual<\/a>. Speak with your veterinarian if you\u2019re concerned your cat may have a medical issue.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re a Marsupial?<\/h2>\n

If you notice your cat\u2019s belly flip flops around as they walk, it might be their primordial pouch. This pendulous pouch is a collection of excess fat, loose skin and fur that typically runs the length of the abdomen and is usually more noticeable near the back legs. You can\u2019t really see it in some cats, but it is obvious in other cats, particularly older cats and certain breeds like the Bengal, the Egyptian mau or the pixiebob. It\u2019s not just a domestic cat thing either \u2014 you can see it on lions, tigers and other large wild cats.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s normal for cats to have a primordial pouch, no one is really sure why<\/em> they have it. The most popular theory is that it provides extra padding and protection for their internal organs if they get into a scuffle with prey or other cats. But the primordial pouch may also make it easier for cats to stretch, flex and run when they need to escape from a threat.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re a Fluff Ball?<\/h2>\n

Sometimes your cat\u2019s physical features can make it hard to know what\u2019s really going on with their body. If you\u2019ve got a long-haired cat like a Persian, Norwegian forest cat or Turkish angora, it can be hard to see their body under all that fluff. Are they overweight or is it just fur? Similarly, breeds like ragdolls and Maine coon cats are naturally big, so next to a smaller breed, they might look like they\u2019re packing on some extra pounds even though they\u2019re not. Our next section can help you work out if it\u2019s fluff or fat.<\/p>\n

Nope, They\u2019re Just Chubby<\/h2>\n

If it\u2019s not a tumor, your cat\u2019s not a kangaroo look-alike and they\u2019ve got short hair, well, they just might be f-a-t. There are a few tests you can do to see whether your cat is overweight or obese:<\/p>\n