Shouldn't my cats weigh more?

[AO111]

I have two female tabby cats both 16 months old and they only weigh five lbs. They look healthy, like the have the right amount of weight for their size but I just figured they'd weigh more than five measly lbs.

[Piparskeggr]

...and Louis also had long hair for a Maine Coon, so he looked truly HUGE.  He was also a very well muscled cat.

He came from a cattery, the owner of which my uncle knew, that was noted for Toms that were usually almost as big as Louis and Queens who ran in the mid 20's.

Anita and I (especially me) are fond of a little excess in naming our girls.

Full names on the current three are; Miss Teia Honey, Hildiekatt Halfshadow the Harrier (her sister was Silver Kestrel the Ransacker) and Chesapeake Bandylegs the Hunter.

[AO111]

Wow 36 lbs! Amazing! I've seen pics of Maine Coons, they are huge. You gave all your cats awesome names btw.

[Piparskeggr]

Since Anita and I got together in 1978, we've only had girl cats.  Her family had 3 Toms when we met.  Junior was about 16# (he was mostly outdoors and lived over 12 years), Tiger was about 20# and his younger brother Fonzie was about 14#.  These 2 guys were Siamese and both lived over 22 years.

My little friend April Dancer (04/86 - 10/92) was never bigger than about 6# neither was my little Tuna Fish (03/78 - 07/94).  Both were happy and healthy, Tuna was a mostly outdoor kitty, too.  (Dancer passed away from a bad reaction to a sedative at the vet's.)

At the other end of the scale, Chesapeake Bandylegs (11yrs) is 19#, Hildiekatt (12 yrs) is 17# and Miss Teia (14 1/2 yrs) is 15#.  Teia was almost 20# when we first rescued her in 2009.  Her current weight is much more appropriate for her frame.

Queen Victoria Grey and Calamity Jane Grey were sisters. Victoria (11/82 - 05/00) was about 18# and stood 10" tall at the shoulder.  Cammie (11/82 - 03/04) was about 16# and 11" tall at the shoulder.

Hildie's older sister Kestrel was over an inch taller and weighed a couple pounds less.

Our very sweet rescue, Cerridwen Blythe(12/83 - 04/00), was another small framed kitty who looked bigger than her 8# with her long hair.

Biggest cat someone in my family owned was Louis Fregosi (1973 - 1986) who was a Maine Coon.  Louis weighed 36# in his prime.

Just like people, kitties can vary quite a bit and be perfectly normal.

[AO111]

Thanks everyone. They do have petite frames like their mother so that may be why.

[BluCrystal]

Just like people have different body-types, so do animals.  Your cats have petite body types.  This should not be a problem unless they refuse to eat or become sick.  Blessings - Blu

[furmomof5]

I think it depends on the kitty's genes.  If you are feeding them and they eat what you provide, they should be fine.  I have 4 cats and they all have different "builds."  My oldest cat is 9 y/o and she has never weight more then 8 pounds.  They may thicken up as they get older too.....