Cat weight by age: table, British, Scottish and Maine Coon

What does a British cat look like?

It is quite easy to distinguish a British cat from an ordinary cat. It is always a “powerful”, squat and harmonious animal with rounded shapes. The chest of a large British cat looks wide, and the shoulders and back are massively dense, which is why the pet sometimes seems fat. The British cat has a smaller body shape, but with similar features.

Fold-eared Briton - reality or myth>>

Mating, pregnancy, birth of British breed cats >>

Representatives of the breed can also be identified by their relatively muscular and short legs, which have a slightly rounded shape. The tail of British cats resembles a conical shape with a rounded tip.

The most easily recognizable characteristics of the British are their expressive face and plush coat.

The face of a British cat always has well-developed cheeks, which are often called sideburns. The general description of the facial expression of British cats includes a benevolent, friendly look and a natural “smile” like the Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland.” The main advantage of these pets is their velvet-plush fur, in which your hands sink. Regardless of whether the Briton is a shorthaired or longhaired dog, his coat should have a springy, fine texture and a fluffy undercoat. Types of British >>

In order to choose the right purebred, elite Briton, we recommend that you study in advance the distinctive features of the breed, its standard and seek help from a felinological organization that will provide you with the addresses of worthy nurseries.

Why does a British cat have a hanging belly?

Many owners of British breed cats often notice a saggy belly on their pet. And, naturally, they ask the question: “Isn’t this dangerous for health?” So, this is not a reason to panic at all. This is how British cat physiology works, and not only that! Even mongrel cats often have droopy bellies, just in a less pronounced form.

A fat tail is not a flaw in the exterior; experienced experts at exhibitions do not even pay attention to it. The only period when a British cat's belly disappears is during feeding, after which it appears again. Therefore, in no case should you cut down on the animal’s nutritional intake, since a thin British cat has a much larger fat fold. The British dog must look “appetizing” so that all its rounded shapes are clearly expressed, and then the pouch on the belly will only decorate the pet.

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First month

This period of a pet’s life is the most difficult. In the first days of life, it becomes clear how strong the cat's physique will be when he grows up, what weight he can reach. Scientists have experimentally proven that nutrition and care in early childhood determine the health of an animal in the future. If the baby did not eat well in the first days of life, this will most likely affect his weight in the future.

First days of life

Kittens of the British and Scottish breeds weigh relatively a lot. Adult animals of these breeds are quite large, but even kittens are born real heavyweights.

Newborn kittens weigh from 70 to 130, but by the second week of life they become almost 1.5 times heavier (110-150 g). The babies are still blind, inactive, sleep a lot and eat a lot.

During this period of development, you need to make sure that the mother receives enough vitamins (more than she herself needs), because kittens need good breast milk with a balanced set of nutrients.

Second week

Over the next few days, the British kitten gains weight and by the end of the second week its body weight should already be 210 grams. Normally, it can reach even 420 grams. At the same time, babies become more active and mobile, some “early” babies even open their eyes by the end of the second week.

Up to a month

From the third or fourth week (depending on the rate of development of the British cat), you can start feeding. But not all foods can be eaten by him - we recommend that you first read what to feed your Briton.

If your Brit is active, eats a lot and has several siblings who also drink breast milk, it's time to start complementary feeding.

At the age of one month, kittens typically gain 250 grams of weight. Large, fast-growing babies can reach a maximum of half a kilogram, and this is quite normal.

Weight table by month

Start of complementary feeding

The first dishes that can be given to a British baby are:

crushed canned cat food;
chopped boiled beef or chicken;
boiled sea fish;
cottage cheese;
boiled egg yolk.

From the first days of complementary feeding, carefully observe how your baby eats and how he reacts to food. If you prefer to feed your pets food, you should not skimp on it, because as a result, this can provoke the development of urolithiasis.

Characteristics of British cats

The British Shorthair cat is valued not only for its cuteness and intelligent, kind look. This “fur” miracle has a calm temperament and good health.

The British are great for business people who spend most of their lives at work.

Pets love to retire for long periods of time so that no one disturbs their sweet sleep. However, this characteristic of a cat being like a teddy bear does not mean that it can be treated like a toy. The Briton will never allow his dignity to be humiliated.

Character and habits of British cats >>

Many owners complain that cats of this breed are unsociable and rarely allow them to be cuddled. But this does not mean that they do not show their love and affection for their owner. It's just that British cats are more restrained in expressing their feelings and are quite self-sufficient, unlike other breeds.

But information about the aristocratic behavior of a Briton from an early age pleases any “cat person.” After all, these pets are very clean and will never allow themselves to relieve themselves in the wrong place. In addition, British cats love to take care of their appearance on their own - they can spend half of their active time on licking and washing themselves in order to always look respectable and radiate charm and charm!

The first days after birth

Many consider this short period in a child’s life to be the most touching. The kitten is born completely helpless: it is blind, does not hear anything and navigates the new world only by smells. By the way, studies have shown that, among thousands of other aromas, a small cat can smell the scent of its mother, who at that moment in a kitten’s life is not only the closest creature, but also a source of nutrition and care. The kitten does not yet know how to feed itself, so usually the animal, together with its brothers and sisters, is breastfed by its mother. The babies also don’t go to the toilet yet - the cat licks them. The kitten's fur is thin, so it often gets cold and needs to be warmed near its mother. The bones are also not yet strong, so it is not recommended to pick up, hug, or actively play with very small pets. A newborn cat baby weighs only about 100 grams and reaches a length of up to 10 centimeters.

At the age of three days, the kitten loses its umbilical cord, and at five days the baby can already hear the world around him. Very small pets do not yet stand on their legs, but can already crawl around the room for short distances.

British breed standard

Do not forget that no matter how attractive a cat may be, in order to participate in the exhibition he must meet a certain standard.

The standard for each part of the body of a British cat is prescribed taking into account the requirements of the felinological organization in a special document.

WCF standard for British:

Body. Squat, strong. Medium or large size.
Head. Rounded, with a wide skull and short neck.
Ears. Medium size, widely set, rounded.
Nose. Small size, straight. On the line with the forehead it stands out with a small depression.
Eyes. Moderately large, widely spaced. Any clearly defined color.
Tail. Be sure to be short, fluffy at the base and rounded at the tip.
Wool. Dense, thick, equal length. Has a well developed undercoat.

Other systems may have some differences in the standard, but generally are not very different from a WCF system.

If there are defects such as an elongated tail, thin paws, a body that is too short or a close-fitting coat texture, a British cat may be disqualified from the show. Therefore, to evaluate your pet, visit a special examination before the exhibition, where a specialist will explain in detail the pros and cons of the animal in accordance with the breed.

Growth and feeding of a kitten

The period of growth is of particular importance in the life of an animal, since it is during this time that the foundations for health and well-being are laid for life.
This process is influenced by many factors, but nutrition plays a major role. When choosing a cat's diet, it is important to take into account the characteristics of digestion, ability to perceive taste and sense of smell. Only specially formulated food can ensure that your cat receives all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, regardless of its age, breed or activity level.

Monitor your kitten's growth by daily weight gain (10-30 g per day). The baby grows most rapidly at the age of 4 to 5 months, when weekly growth should reach 100g.

It is important to always weigh your kitten at the same time. Initially, before weaning, daily weight monitoring is recommended, and after two months of age, weighing is carried out weekly or biweekly

■ GENDER: Males generally have a higher growth potential than females, so their growth period lasts several weeks longer. At the age of 6 to 12 months, they overtake cats in weight.

■ HERITANCE: At birth, a kitten receives half of its mother's genes and half from its father. Size, conformation, and other morphological characteristics of the parents and lineage of the animal may also influence growth.

■ HORMONES: After birth, growth depends on the correct synthesis of certain hormones. Early neutering does not affect the kitten's growth rate or its size as an adult.

The kitten's weight should not plateau or decrease. It is better to weigh your kitten regularly: he needs to gain an average of 15 grams per day. If this does not happen, the baby should be fed with a cat's milk replacer.

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What kind of hair do British cats have?

Special attention should be paid to British wool. Thanks to the harsh living conditions in the past, these animals have acquired an excellent coat with a very dense and thick undercoat. Despite the fact that the structure of the wool itself is thin, it feels quite elastic and soft to the touch. Therefore, representatives of this breed are often called plush. In addition, the coat of British cats is distinguished by beautiful, shiny colors. British cat care and maintenance >>

At the moment, there are about 60 colors that the British have. It can be any solid color, smoky, tortoiseshell, tabby, chinchilla, bicolor or colorpoint. The most common among them are solid blue, as well as two-color tabby and chinchilla.

Important! The British Shorthair's coat should be the same length all over the body. As a rule, it does not exceed 2.4 cm.

A healthy British cat never develops tufts of fur, so he can easily take care of his coat on his own.

Health issues

Since the British Folds were the result of interbreeding, the likelihood of genetic diseases among representatives of this feline species is very high.

British Folds are susceptible to genetic skeletal diseases

Thus, with age, osteochondrodysplasia may appear, expressed in lameness and deformation of skeletal bones (paws, vertebrae)

This disease is incurable, so it is important to visit the veterinarian regularly if the kitten’s parents were two lop-eared individuals. If one of the parents had straight ears, the likelihood of pathology is significantly reduced

In addition, British Fold cats are susceptible to typical diseases of all purring cats:

viral infections (cat cold) - goes away on its own within two to three days, otherwise you should see a doctor;
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart pathology) - treatment is long-term (lifelong) and is supportive;
polycystic kidney disease is an incurable disease; with maintenance therapy, cysts stop growing;
claw fungus - can be cured with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions;
infestation with parasites (worms, fleas) - preventive measures for deworming and getting rid of ectoparasites should be mandatory for representatives of the breed.

To maintain the health of your teddy pet, you must regularly visit the veterinary clinic for vaccinations. Vaccination begins at the age of 2.5 months and then every 3-6 weeks until the kitten is 15 weeks old.

This is followed by comprehensive annual vaccination against respiratory tract infections, panleukopenia, ringworm and rabies.

If you follow the rules for caring for your pet and carefully monitor the health of the British Fold, the animal will live up to 12–15 years.

What kind of eyes do the British have?

Against the backdrop of the expressive face of the British cat, the large and round eyes really stand out. They are always set wide apart and have a clean, bright look.

At 4 months, Britons' eye color usually begins to change depending on their coat color. Only an experienced specialist can tell you the final color result at this age. For example, a cat can become blue-eyed only if its coat is white.

Another feature of snow-white cats is the ability to have eyes of two colors: blue and yellow, gold and copper, blue and copper. Cats with silver colors and tabby patterns usually have green eyes. All other color variations of coat colors have mostly swamp eyes in childhood, gradually acquiring an amber, copper tint.

Note! The outline of the iris of the eyes of British cats should correspond to the general tone. A darker outline is considered a defect.

Normal animal weight

The weight of an adult cat may vary depending on its breed. To determine normal parameters, specialists use specially developed data. But the given parameters should be taken as food for thought, because they may differ depending on the individual characteristics of the animal, its gender and health status. For example, the weight of a British cat has several standards. If a short-haired dog can weigh from 4 to 8 kg, then for a long-haired dog the norm is from 3 to 7 kg. Below are the average weights of popular cat breeds.

Bengal - 3.5-6.8 kg.
Bombay - 3.0-6.0 kg.
Cornish Rex – 3.0-5.0 kg.
Siamese – 3.0-5.0 kg.
Maine Coon – 4.0-10.0 kg.
Scottish - 2.7-6.0 kg.

As you can see, the weight of the Scottish cat and Maine Coon has a wide range. Therefore, in addition to standards, one must be guided by both age and visual inspection. And the given standards show only the lower and upper limits.

Visual inspection

To determine the condition of the animal, it is necessary to carefully examine its physique. The condition of the limbs and abdomen is determined when looking at the profile, the lumbar region and waist are assessed when viewed from above. The weight of a cat can also be “calculated” by manual palpation. To do this, the area of the ribs is felt with your fingers. Moreover, if the bones stick out at the slightest pressure, then the animal is malnourished; if you need to make an effort to palpate them, then, most likely, the pet is obese.

After the ribs, the waist and abdomen area is assessed

In cats, it is very sensitive, so you must be careful when palpating. If you run two palms from the waist to the pelvic bones, you should get an hourglass shape

If this sensation does not arise, then the cat is most likely overweight.

Next, the abdomen is examined. Softness should be felt under your fingers. But if it hangs down a lot or is swollen, then nutritional adjustments are necessary. A sunken belly indicates a lack of nutrition or illness.

When to adopt a kitten

Only a mother cat can provide proper care for newborn British kittens; this is possible in a nursery where kittens are not separated from their mother until they reach the age of 12 weeks. This approach allows:

gain the kitten the required body weight - 1.5-1.7 kg by 3 months;
receive complementary foods in the required amount and with the required regularity;
receive breast milk as the main diet;
learn self-care skills from your mother;
undergo vaccination and anthelmintic treatment.

British kittens should be fed 4 times a day with natural food. Up to three months, there is a high probability of injury for kittens due to weakness of the skeletal system, and complications after vaccinations are also possible.
Therefore, reputable nurseries give away kittens that have reached the age of three months. If the babies are over 2 months old, caring for British kittens is not difficult, although it requires free time. After all, pets should be fed 4 times a day with natural food, preparing fresh meals daily, including the necessary set of vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and acids. A complete switch to dry food at this age is fraught with complications of the digestive system for the kitten. The kitten's weight should double in a month. At three months of age, the kitten is transferred to two meals a day.

It is advisable to give away British kittens at three months of age.

Tips for maintaining normal weight

To keep a British cat's weight within normal limits, owners need to maintain a balanced diet:

add a small percentage of cereals and vegetables to dry and soft food;
add boiled vegetables to the food (various varieties of cabbage, beets);
meat and fish should only be lean, they should be included in the menu daily;
Among the cereal products, it is best to give your cat oatmeal, millet, and rice;
You need to cook porridge for your pet in water, without adding sugar and salt.

A kitten is taught to eat cereals and vegetables from an early age. The diet of an adult British cat should consist of 10–15% vegetables and cereals, 85–90% meat and fish.

Also, we must not forget about regular physical activity. To prevent a cat from developing obesity, the owner must engage it in active games every day.

High-quality and balanced nutrition, an abundance of vitamins and nutrients, an active lifestyle - these are the main factors for the full development of a British pet.

The owner should weigh the kitten at the same time every day in order to notice weight deviations in time. If the development of the “British” does not correspond to his age, then there is no need to hesitate in going to the veterinarian.

Kittens at three and four weeks of age

By the beginning of the third week, small fluffy balls usually begin to emit the first purr, the picture of the visual field of any kitten becomes definite: visually they will already be able to find their mother. After a week, the development of the organs of hearing and smell ends, the ears take shape

In addition, kittens at the age of 3-4 weeks take their first hesitant steps and pay attention to their sisters and brothers. At the same time, their milk teeth appear, the incisors emerge first, followed by the canines, premolars and molars.

At 4 weeks, you don’t have to worry about the fact that it’s too early to introduce your young pet to the toilet. It is advisable to take care of the baby and, just in case, purchase a litter tray designed for kittens. They often perceive it either as food or as a toy. Ordinary contents of the litter tray may be harmful to the animal if swallowed (for example, silica gel).

Meeting all family members

Children love animals very much and show great interest in them. Tell your child how to properly pick up a cat, how he shows his dissatisfaction by wagging his tail, and that you shouldn’t squeeze him too hard and drag him around the house.

Perhaps you have another animal at home? Then you should initially not introduce the new guy to the old one for a couple of days. The new one will still get used to it, but the old resident will already feel the emergence of a new one.

At the same time, pay sufficient attention to both the first and second pet so that jealousy does not arise. Arrange a meeting with them in a few days

They need to be in the room at this moment, and each of them should have a place to retreat, in case something happens. If an undesirable reaction occurs, limit contact with the animals for a couple of days and introduce them again.

Why is it important to control your pet's weight?

Monitoring the monthly weight of a British kitten is important because it helps to monitor the proper development of the pet. It is difficult to control development correctly based on some external geometric factors, so weight was taken as a basis

In the first weeks, it is recommended to weigh kittens on an electronic scale every day, at a later age - once a week. Even newborns need to be weighed, and the minimum weight limit for them is 60 grams

If it is less, you should consult a veterinarian, and then take extra care with your baby.

Kittens are weighed at the same time to avoid possible inaccuracies. Babies gain about 10 grams of weight before a month, and later – 100 grams per week. If you observe irregularities, this may mean that the British person is not receiving normal nutrition.

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What does weight depend on?

Male kittens weigh more than females as they grow up. With each new weighing, the difference increases. The weight of mature males and females is influenced by a number of factors.

Bengal cats

During the first week of life, the weight of a Bengal kitten can reach 250 g, and after another three weeks the baby will weigh from 400 to 500 g. A three-month-old teenager weighs about a kilogram.

A Bengal kitten reaches 1 kg at 3 months

Bengals are a fairly heavy breed, but they are never fat. Kittens are very active and energetic, they run a lot, they are always in excellent physical shape, although they look well-fed and even overfed. They owe their appearance to their natural muscularity.

Note! The weight of a Bengal kitten depends to the greatest extent on the development of its muscular system. We must not forget that Bengals are big-boned animals.

"British"

On the 7-8th day of life, 70-gram babies already weigh 110-150 g. When they are two weeks old, their weight will increase to 210-420 g. The specific weight depends on gender, health status and the number of kittens in the litter.

Scottish Fold

If at birth cats of this breed weigh 70-120 g, then after two weeks these figures increase to 440 g. A two-month-old “Scottish” kitten weighs about 800 g. After another month and a half, its weight will increase to 1.5 kg.

Representatives of this breed, even when they grow up, do not cease to look like teddy bears with a rounded head on a short neck and large, widely spaced round eyes. Males that have reached puberty weigh from 4 to 6 kg, and females - from 2.7 to 4 kg.

“Scots” are usually good-natured and calm. They love to be outdoors and never miss an opportunity to participate in outdoor games. Loneliness and a sedentary lifestyle make them depressed and, as a result, lead to obesity.

Siberian cats

Siberian cat kittens are born weighing 60-130 g. Girls and the weakest newborns weigh less, boys, as well as kittens born at the beginning of the litter, have the greatest weight. During the first month of life, their weight increases by 12-15 g daily.

Sphinxes

Representatives of this species require high-calorie food to avoid hypothermia. The weight of females that have reached the age of 8-9 months can reach 3-4 kg. Males weigh from 4 to 5 kg.

The Sphynx needs to be fed a special diet

Sphynx kittens are not separated from their mother until they are one month old. During this period they feed on her milk.

Thai cats

The weight of a 3-month-old male can reach 1.8 kg. A female at this age weighs about one and a half kilograms. When the kittens are six months old, the male will weigh approximately 2.9 kg and the female 2.3 kg.

Birth

In general, cat pregnancy lasts about 56-63 days. The period depends on the breed for many other reasons. It is impossible to say exactly how long cats are pregnant or how long gestation lasts. Factors influencing duration:

Weight.
Presence of previous attacks.
The relationship between the time of the first estrus and mating.

It is advised to breed a female cat on her third heat, trying to avoid protracted previous periods. If the pet is taken to a partner earlier, the animal will bear kittens for about 50 days. The babies may appear premature or dead.

The weight of the pet is also important when determining the timing of the cat's death. Small beauties, weighing about 3 kg, bear kittens faster, how long do small British cats walk before permission is known. Cubs appear earlier, at 55-56 days. Large adult, sedentary individuals migrate at 64-65 days and can walk beyond the established period.

How many kittens an animal gives birth to depends on the time at which the process occurs; a British cat brings no more than three babies for the first time. Typically, primiparous cats are delivered on time at 63 days. Labor lasts approximately 2 to 14 hours.

It often happens that there is only one kitten in the first litter. And this is from mating with a pet, which can produce up to 7-8 babies. There is no need to be afraid and try to stimulate the appearance of more: each animal’s body has its own characteristics

It is not so important the number of litters a cat produces from the first time, and how many kittens the British favorite will give birth to. You need to worry about the condition of the animal and offspring

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When to start - tips

Small pets should not be taken away from their mother too early. The main reason for this rule: the baby must be fed breast milk and will learn hygiene skills from an adult cat. The optimal age for moving to another family is 3 months, the cub will be about 12 weeks old.

Smell and touch are the main helpers of a kitten in the first days of birth. The baby does not hear or see yet: he finds his mother’s warm side and nipple by smell. The organs of vision begin to function 10-14 days after lambing. In many ways, the opening of the eyes depends on gestation, that is, on how long the cat carried the kitten. Premature babies will develop the ability to see later. Those born later will see the world faster.

The development of female pets is more intensive. The girl's eye slits become wider earlier than those of her furry brothers. The breed of the animal also matters. British Shorthairs will open their eyes on the 6th day after birth. And for long-haired breeds, the process of restoring visual activity can take up to 14 days.

In a dark place, the formation of the ability to see will take longer. The deadline has passed, but the baby is still blind. You can help him to open his eyes faster. On the advice of veterinarians, an antibacterial medicine is instilled and the eyes are washed with strong tea and a solution of boric acid.

Regardless of the breed, all babies, including British newborns, have blue-gray eye color. The shell will acquire its characteristic final shade only after 6 months. When kittens open their eyes after 6 days of birth, the habits of the inquisitive baby change.

Four month old kittens

Kittens at 4 months are already quite large and look like smaller copies of adults. Weight of a British kitten at 4 months:

You have already convinced yourself that you have chosen a fairly large breed. The body of four-month-old pets becomes more prominent, the body structure becomes more muscular and squat. The weight of an animal depends not only on nutrition, but also on heredity, therefore, starting from this age, body weight fluctuates within fairly large limits - almost up to 2 kg.

If the British dog weighs more than 4 kg, this may be a signal that he is overeating, and it is time to reduce the portion of food and add an additional meal, evenly distributing the daily portion into several.

If the deviations for the cat’s age are serious, this is a reason to contact a veterinarian. A specialist can prescribe a special diet and a complex of essential vitamins.

How much does a British kitten weigh at 5 months? At 5 months you already have an almost adult British puppy who weighs up to 4.5 kg. For females, the weight should be from 2.2 to 2.9 kilograms, and for males from 2.6 to 4.5. Your pet has already gained more than half the body weight required for its breed.

What to do if your Bengal begins to gain weight poorly

Having noticed deviations in weight gain, you should determine the reasons for this.

Bengals are one of the cat breeds that lead an active lifestyle.

A few common reasons:

Poor nutrition. Underweight occurs if the kitten is malnourished or does not receive enough nutritional components. Make sure that the kitten eats 6 times a day and has constant access to clean drinking water.
Refusal to eat. This problem especially often occurs among owners who purchased a kitten from a breeder. The pet may already be accustomed to a certain food and refuse to eat a new one. In this case, you should transfer the kitten to a new food gradually.
Stress. Sudden changes in environment and other factors can provoke stress. When stressed, kittens may refuse to eat. As a rule, adaptation takes from a couple of days to a week, after which the pet begins to eat normally and gain weight again.
Diseases. If a Bengal eats properly, but still does not gain weight well, this may indicate diseases of the digestive system. In this case, you should definitely show your pet to a veterinarian.
Parasites. Weight loss may indicate the presence of worms. Prevention against parasites should be carried out every six months starting from three weeks of age. For kittens, a suspension is used: it is easier to administer into the body.

Be sure to read:

All 6 cat breeds with short legs: Bambino, Munchkin, Napoleon, Lamkin, Kinkalow and Skookum