How to weigh a cat at home

In some cases the weighing process can be problematic because the cat may not like the idea at all.

How do you weigh a cat and why should you do it?

How much does your pet weigh? Our Sandy now weighs 2.15 pounds and is almost 5 months old.

This article will be helpful as always to all cat lovers. We will talk about how to weigh a cat simply and quickly and why you should do it.

Honestly, we have no difficulty in weighing the cat, we do it regularly, at least once a month. We recommend that everyone do so. And in general, why do you need to weigh the cat?

Why do you need to weigh?

Being overweight can indicate obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Underweight also indicates serious nutritional and health problems (worms, infections).

There are various tables that show the average weight of a cat, but you should keep in mind that each cat has individual breed and lifestyle concerns.

If you have concerns about your cat's weight, be sure to consult your veterinarian for proper weight adjustments in either direction.

2. Another important reason to determine weight is to determine your cat's daily diet.

Each food package gives a recommendation for the amount of food per day based on the cat's weight and age.

To ensure that the cat is not underweight or overweight it is important to follow these recommendations or those given to you by your doctor.

3. By measuring the cat's weight you should be able to give him the right dose of medication. This is a very important reason since your cat's health will depend on it.

On a floor scale

To know the weight of the cat more reliably you will need scales. Floor electronic scales are excellent for this purpose. Mechanical scales will also work, but the result obtained with them will not be as correct. There are two ways you can weigh a cat on such scales.

• Man's way, which has a cold calculation and male logic. You just have to put the cat on the scale and find out how much he weighs. But the problem with this method is that the cat does not always sit still and can run away even before his weight is read. So if it was decided to weigh the cat this way, it is definitely worth putting the scales in the corner of the room, and pour some dry food on the corner of the scales. The cat will not have an opportunity to eat the food without standing on the scales. And at this point you can take a reading.
  You can also put the scales in the place where the cat is used to sleep and put a mat or a towel on it, so that the animal will not notice the trick. When the cat gets tired and goes to sleep, it will lie down on its usual place. The main thing is not to miss the moment and take readings while the animal is asleep.
• Women's logic has modernized the male way. To find out the weight of the cat just take him in your arms and weigh yourself with him. And then weigh yourself without the animal. The difference between the two will be the weight of the cat.

The changeless changer

If you do not have a floor scale in the house, do not despair. You can use a changeless scale. In order to find out the weight of the cat, you should put it in a bag or a thick bag and hang it on the scales. But everything should be done as quickly as possible. If the animal starts to wiggle in the bag, it will be impossible to read. It is desirable not to use a rustling bag for this purpose, so as not to irritate the cat and make him playful.

If the kitten is still small, he can be weighed on a kitchen scale. To do this, you need to put him in a cup and measure the reading. But since little kittens are very active, it is better to weigh the kitten immediately after sleeping, so he does not resist and do not try to turn weighing into a game. After all, if he jumps, the readings will not be accurate.

And the easiest way to know the weight of the cat is to weigh him at the veterinary clinic. There are accurate scales and knowing the weight of the animal is not difficult. Moreover, most of the time you need to know the weight of the animal in order to correctly calculate the amount of drugs, for example, for vaccinations. After all, not always the problem of obesity is due to the fact that the cat is overeating, sometimes it means a problem with the intestines or digestive system, so if the cat has signs of obesity, but his diet has not increased, it is worth to show the pet to the doctor. And if there is nothing wrong with the cat's health, the vet will choose a balanced diet for him.

Which way to weigh the cat to choose, everyone decides for himself. Because pets have different personalities, and there are not always scales in the house. But remember, it's best to weigh pets in the morning, before their first meal.

Ways to weigh kittens and adult animals

The simplest and most common are the following ways of weighing:

• Using a household floor scale. First, the owner should weigh himself or herself and then with the cat in his or her arms. By subtracting your own weight from the result of the joint weighing, you will know the cat's weight with an accuracy of 0.1 kg. If the cat scratches or shows signs of dissatisfaction it is advisable to postpone the procedure or try another method.
• You can similarly weigh a kitten or an adult cat using a cat house or any other container familiar to the cat. After all, shoeboxes or wicker baskets are often the cat's favorite resting places.
• More accurate electronic kitchen scales are used to weigh small breed kittens and cats.
• Using a hand-held changer. This method requires the cat to be placed in a carrier bag, which is not to the liking of all pets.
• With the help of special scales during a visit to the veterinary clinic. This service is usually free of charge.

Optimal for weighing is a satiated, sleepy state of the cat. Before weighing the cat, the animal should be reassured, and after the procedure is over, it should be encouraged with a favorite treat.

When is it necessary?

A pet's weight is one of the indicators of a pet's health. It should be checked throughout the growth and life of the cat.

It can be important to detect weight fluctuations, when the pet dramatically gains or loses weight. This may be an indication of poor nutrition or health problems. Veterinarians check the cat if he is prescribed medication for treatment, because the dosage for the animal is non-standard, depending on the disease and weight. In order not to overfeed the pet, you need to constantly monitor the portions of his food, in this will help scales to measure the food and check for weighing the cat.

Ways to measure

You can weigh the cat at home with a floor electronic scale, a cantor and a bag. Regular scales can also help, but they are only suitable for large animals, or when measuring the animal with the owner, but you need to be prepared for a large margin of error. Small cats are better measured on kitchen scales, as they are designed to measure accurate and small weights. If the kitty is purebred, the weight can be compared to the weight standard that is prescribed in the passport. In some situations, not just weight is needed, but general parameter readings, then the pet can simply be palpated.

Measuring without a scale

Measurement by condition – determining the appearance of the animal and its build. The pet's back should be examined by touch. The diet is mandatory if the ribs and vertebrae are not or faintly felt under the fur. The amount of food should be increased in situations where the cat's sides are drooping and the bones are protruding. The animal's skeleton is palpable and the amount of fat is insignificant.

On kitchen scales.

They often have a bowl in which the pet can be seated if he is assiduous. We are only talking about small kittens, as such a device is designed to measure small weights accurately. It is advisable to measure in the morning, when the pet has not yet eaten, but has already cleared its bowels. If the pet is fidgety, it is very difficult to measure more accurately.

On a floor scale

Floor scales and electric scales can only help when the owner is measuring with the cat. Initially, you should measure your weight and memorize the result. Then you need to take the cat in your arms and measure the total weight with the pet. Then you must subtract the first digit from the second digit and get the pet's body weight. This way of measuring gives a large error in the results, so it must be done several times.

How else can a cat be weighed?

A 2013 study by Rutgers University and the National Institutes of Health found that digital bathroom floor scales can give an error of 100-400 grams! Since a cat's weight gain or loss can be significant, you may see more accurate numbers. You may want to purchase a special luggage and grocery scales. They have a more accurate estimate of a small weight.

While you can certainly weigh your cat in a carrier, sometimes you may find it easier to use a soft canvas shopping bag or pillowcase, as some cats are very relaxed in this swaddling state.

But don't turn this process into an ordeal and stress for your baby.

How often should a cat be weighed?

Kittens and cats with weight-related health problems should be weighed at least once a month, while for most other cats a weigh-in at the vet between six and twelve months of age is sufficient to monitor any changes. .

If you notice any sudden changes in your cat's weight, it's always best to see your vet immediately to find out the cause so he can treat it quickly.

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Bezemen

Electronic and mechanical lever scales will work, but electronic scales give more accurate results. The cat is weighed similar to a bag of potatoes. Put the pet in a plastic bag, cloth bag (shopper), basket with upright handles and hook the scale. If using a heavy basket or bag, don't forget to subtract its weight without the cat.

The method is good for weighing kittens and small cats. Heavy weights can rip the handles off or even break the scale. Also, don't put a restless pet in the bag, especially by force. It's best to just leave an empty bag and wait a while: many cats are happy to go into baskets, bags, and bags on their own.

Kitchen scales.

Ideal for weighing kittens, as they are originally designed to measure small weights. Great if they have a bowl in which you can comfortably seat the baby. If the scale does not have a bowl, you can put the kitten in a suitable-sized box or plastic container and then subtract the weight of the empty container. To keep the kitty from getting distracted and jumping out, keep him occupied with a treat or toy for the duration of the procedure.

Weigh the cat regularly, about two or three times a month, and record the results on a spreadsheet. It is best to put the cat on the scale in the morning before breakfast and after going to the bathroom. It is especially important to keep track of your kitten's weight changes before one year of age in order to track normal development. By one year, cats gain their healthy weight, which should be maintained throughout his life. A sudden change in numbers can indicate disease or improper nutrition.

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