This cat weight chart starts with a simple fact: most adult house cats weigh between 8 and 11 pounds (3.6–5 kg). A healthy weight for your cat still depends on breed, sex and frame size. Use the checker to see if your cat or kitten is in a healthy range and to estimate their ideal weight. The charts below cover kittens by age, adults by breed and the body condition score.
Kitten weight chart by age
Here’s a handy rule of thumb. A kitten gains roughly 1 pound (about 450 g) per month until around 5–6 months old. Newborns weigh about 3–4 oz (85–115 g) and should roughly double that in the first week or two.
| Age | Typical weight | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 3–4 oz | 85–115 g |
| 1 week | 4–6 oz | 115–170 g |
| 2 weeks | 6–8 oz | 170–225 g |
| 3 weeks | 8–12 oz | 225–340 g |
| 4 weeks | 12–16 oz | 340–450 g |
| 5 weeks | 1–1.25 lb | 450–570 g |
| 6 weeks | 1.25–1.5 lb | 570–680 g |
| 7 weeks | 1.5–1.75 lb | 680–790 g |
| 8 weeks | 1.75–2.25 lb | 0.8–1 kg |
| 3 months | 2.5–3.5 lb | 1.1–1.6 kg |
| 4 months | 3.5–4.5 lb | 1.6–2 kg |
| 5 months | 4.5–5.5 lb | 2–2.5 kg |
| 6 months | 5–7 lb | 2.3–3.2 kg |
| 9 months | 6.5–9 lb | 2.9–4.1 kg |
| 12 months | 7–11 lb | 3.2–5 kg |
These ranges are for average domestic kittens. Big breeds like Maine Coons and Ragdolls often run 20–30% heavier from about two months on, and males usually pull ahead of females from around four months. Don’t fixate on the exact number. Steady weekly gain is what counts. If a kitten stops gaining or loses weight, especially under 8 weeks, get them to a vet the same day.
Adult cat weight chart by breed
| Breed | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic shorthair / mixed | 7–10 lb (3.2–4.5 kg) | 9–12 lb (4.1–5.4 kg) |
| Abyssinian | 6–9 lb | 7–10 lb |
| Bengal | 8–12 lb | 10–15 lb |
| British Shorthair | 7–12 lb | 9–17 lb |
| Maine Coon | 8–12 lb | 13–18 lb |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 9–12 lb | 12–16 lb |
| Persian | 7–11 lb | 9–14 lb |
| Ragdoll | 10–15 lb | 15–20 lb |
| Russian Blue | 7–10 lb | 10–12 lb |
| Siamese | 6–10 lb | 8–12 lb |
| Siberian | 8–12 lb | 12–17 lb |
| Sphynx | 6–10 lb | 8–12 lb |
Breed ranges are rough and shift between lines and registries. A big-boned cat can be lean at the top of its range. A small-framed cat can be overweight right in the middle. That’s why vets look at body condition, not just the scale.
Cat body condition score (BCS) guide
Vets use a 9-point body condition score, and 5 is ideal. To check your cat, feel along the ribs, look down from above for a waist and then look at the belly from the side.
| Score | What you’ll see and feel |
|---|---|
| 1–2 · Very thin | Ribs, spine and hip bones clearly visible; no fat; muscle loss. |
| 3 · Thin | Ribs easy to feel and may be visible; very little fat; obvious waist. |
| 4 · Lean | Ribs easy to feel with minimal fat; clear waist behind the ribs. |
| 5 · Ideal | Ribs felt under a thin layer of fat; waist visible from above; small belly fat pad. |
| 6 · Slightly heavy | Ribs a bit harder to feel; waist barely visible. |
| 7 · Overweight | Need to press to feel ribs; no waist; rounded belly. |
| 8 · Very overweight | Ribs very hard to feel; belly clearly rounded and hanging. |
| 9 · Obese | Ribs can’t be felt; heavy fat on the belly, back, legs and face. |
A useful working rule: each point above 5 means roughly 10% extra body weight. Say you have a 13 lb cat scoring 7/9. That cat is about 20% heavy, so its ideal weight is around 11 lb. The checker above does this math for you.
Note: lots of cats have a loose flap of skin on the lower belly called the “primordial pouch.” It swings when they walk. That’s normal, and it isn’t the same thing as belly fat.
Why does a healthy weight matter?
Overweight cats are more likely to get diabetes, arthritis, urinary problems and skin issues, and they often live shorter lives. A cat that’s underweight or suddenly thinner can have a hidden illness such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes or dental pain.
Weighing your cat once a month is one of the easiest health checks you can do at home. If their weight changes by more than about 5% and you can’t explain why, book a vet visit.
How to weigh your cat at home
- Weigh yourself on a bathroom scale.
- Pick up your cat and weigh yourself again.
- Subtract the first number from the second.
For kittens, a kitchen scale with a bowl or box on it works better. Weigh at the same time of day, ideally before a meal, and jot the number down so you can spot trends.
Helping your cat reach a healthy weight
- Feed measured meals instead of leaving food out all day. Our cat calorie calculator and wet cat food calculator work out the right portions.
- Swap some of the dry food for wet food, which has fewer calories per bite.
- Add activity with puzzle feeders and play sessions (10–15 minutes, twice a day).
- Count the treats. Keep them under 10% of daily calories.
- Go slow: aim for about 1% of body weight lost per week. Never crash diet a cat. Fasting can cause fatty liver disease, which is serious.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy weight for a cat?
Usually 8–11 lb (3.6–5 kg) for most domestic cats. Large breeds like Maine Coons and Ragdolls can be lean at 15–20 lb, though. Body condition matters more than the number: you should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist.
Is 12 pounds overweight for a cat?
It depends on the cat. A small-framed female domestic cat at 12 lb is probably overweight, while a male Maine Coon or Ragdoll may be lean. The body condition check above gives you a better answer.
How much should a 1 year old cat weigh?
Most domestic cats weigh 7–11 lb (3.2–5 kg) at one year. Large breeds keep growing until 3–4 years old.
At what age do cats stop growing?
Most reach adult size at about 12 months. They may fill out a little until 18 months. Large breeds such as Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats and Siberians can keep growing until 3–4 years.
Are male cats bigger than female cats?
Yes, males usually weigh 1–3 lb more than females of the same breed. The gap is bigger in large breeds.