Do Russian Blue Cats Get Fat? Do You Think Your Russian Blue Cat Overweight?

Do Russian Blue Cats Get Fat

Are you seeing your cat a little over the top with its weight? Obesity can be a nightmare for cat owners as it a nutritional disease and one of the growing problems related to the cat. Russian Blue cats are right on top of the competition when it comes to gaining weight faster. So, it is very necessary to know what Russian blue cats are like to know about their average weight and size. Does the Russian Blue cat get fat? Is overweight an issue related to Russian Blue?

Yes, Russian blue cat is at the risk of getting fat because of their love for food. Obesity is a burning problem related to Russian blue making them stay away from carbs as far as possible. Russian Blue typically weighs between 7 to 15 pounds on average while growing up. So, if they weigh any more than this, then it is certain that your cat is overweight.

The questions don’t end here, do they? What should you do when your Russian blue gets overweight? How can you stop your Russian blue from getting overweight? What are the issues that obesity brings to your Russian blue? These are few questions and there are more of them, you probably want answers to.

In this article, you will find answers to most of the important questions. So, go through this and learn what it’s like to have a cat such as Russian Blue that is prone to get fat.

Average Russian Blue Cat Size

You can’t know if your cat is overweight or not unless you know what is their average weight and height. The average weight of the Russian blues when they reach maturity is what you need to maintain throughout their life.

One Russian blue passes through various phases of life and its weight may vary at every point. An adult Russian blue weighs around 7 to 10 pounds on average.

Here is a table to help you to know the average weight of your cat while growing up:

Age Weight
Birth 3 to 4 ounces
2 weeks 6 to 8 ounces
5 weeks 1 pound
10 weeks 2 pounds
16 weeks 5 pounds
20 weeks (5 months) 6 pounds
24 weeks (6 months) 8 pounds
12 months and further 7 to 15 pounds

Overweight Russian Blue Cat

Your Russian blue cat loves food more than anything else in the world. They like food and will keep on eating till you stop them.

That’s why overweight can be an issue with these cats if you are not careful enough. If your cat gains weight over 15 pounds, that’s when you need to get worried.

If the weight of your Russian blue is 10% more than that of the average weight, then your cat is considered overweight.

An overabundance of nutrients that cats get from the food they intake is the prime cause for them to be overweight. Likewise, if their weight is 20% more than the average weight, then they are obese or getting to the obesity level.

Obesity is never a good thing and is a nutritional disease that can bring so many complications in your Russian blue.

Do Russian Blue Cats Get Fat?

Yes, every time you go to research about the diet and feeding habits of Russian Blue, you will come across the terms ‘overweight and overfeeding’.

This is because of the likeliness of Russian Blue getting fat even if they eat less food with high carbs.

Russian blue is a medium-sized cat that doesn’t look fluffy like British shorthair rather they have a slender and strong body.

But once they get around food or starts eating without supervision, they will not stop till they finish the food. That’s why you should know how to properly feed your Russian blue cat.

They have the worst habit of overeating food and not knowing when to stop. Russian blues are often talked about being hungry more with no such physical activity.

Your Russian blue does get fat because it is an indoor cat that is mostly inactive, fewer exercises, and sits idly most of the time. So, you should train your Russian blue cat from time to time to burn their excess body fat and make them healthy.

These cats need low energy and fewer calories per day to maintain the ideal weight but overeating can abolish this.

How Can You Know If Your Russian Blue Is Fat Or Fit?

Russian Blue has a double-coated, slender yet muscular body, so it can be quite difficult to understand overweight with them.

You can visit the Vet for a routine check-up and ask to see if your Russian Blue cat is overweight or not. They will calculate the Body mass index of the cat and let you know if you have to do something about the cat’s diet or not.

Apart from the expert’s advice, there are few things you can do yourself to know if your cat is fat or fit:

The Waist

A different angle for the view of your cat can do the job for you sometimes. What you need to do is look your Russian blue from the above angle.

If you can see the space between their hip protrudes and the ribs, or their waist, then your cat is fit. But if you cannot see the space or waist of your cat then you have to think about the way to make your cat lose weight.

The Abdomen

You know when a man gains weight, it is clearly seen from the way his tummy starts growing. It is quite similar to cats as well.

As you have already seen your cat from the above angle, let’s go to the other angle. Look at your cat from the side angle to see if there is a layer of low fat hanging around the abdominal region.

The low hanging fat is the clear sign of weight gain or in other words overweight. Your cat is fit, not fat if you don’t notice any fat hanging around their belly.

The Spine

Now it’s time to groom your cat and feel their spine. Here is what you have to do, you have to run your hands across the back of your Russian blue.

If you can feel the bones across their area, then great, your cat is fit. However, if you can’t feel those bones, then it is probably because of the layer of fat between bones and skin.

The Ribs Of Your Russian Blue

Alike the spine case, you have to use your hands for this experiment as well. You have to run your hands-on cat’s body again but this time on their side not back.

If you can’t feel their ribs while running your hands on their sides, then sorry to say your cat is fat. That sounds rude and ruthless, but that a fact.

You can feel the ribs of your cat with a little hint or covering of fat when it is healthy and fit.

What Causes A Russian Blue To Be Overweight?

Most of the time people associate overweight with overeating but cases can be different sometimes. Other factors might cause your cat to gain weight without you even realizing it.

Do not judge unless you know for the fact that Russian blue is fat due to overeating carbs, not anything else.

Overeating

As already said, and you might know, overeating is a prime cause of overweight and we cannot deny that.

Your Russian blue loves food and won’t stop eating or know it is full till you stop them from it. Their body doesn’t digest carbs well and the more they eat the more weight they gain.

Inactivity

Russian Blue are indoor cats that have very few activities to do inside the house. Likewise, they don’t get proper exercise when all they do is sit around all day.

Lack of proper training and exercise for indoor Russian blue cats acts like a precursor for weight gain making them fat and lazy. Boredom also intervenes when your cat does no outdoor activities or very few activities.

Even human beings have the habit to overeat when they are bores, how can a cat be any different? Boredom and inactivity lead to eating to pass the time, thus the unwanted weight addition.

Diet

Russian blues are restricted to have more carbs in their diet and suggested eating more animal proteins. Sometimes you may feed them food enriched with carbohydrates without knowing the consequences.

Carbs can make your Russian Blue grow in weight due to inactivity and lack of exercise to digest it properly.

You have to take care of their diet so that they can’t gain unwanted weight over stupid circumstances.

It is better to switch to homemade foods as most of the commercial foods are based on high carbs and plant-based proteins.

Age

Even human beings slow down and take rest when they get old, and cats follow them in this case. The activity level plummets as they get tired and weak with old age.

The inactivity and lack of exercise can cause weight gain in adult cats, so older cats are more prone to this.

Side Effects Of Medication

Some of the medicines you use while your cat is sick can make them gain weight. Ask your vet beforehand if the medications you are using for your cat have side effects or not.

Medical Condition

If your cat is suffering from hypothyroidism, it can slow down the metabolism process as the thyroid gland produces the hormones that control the cat’s metabolism.

Thus, this can result in weight gain, so bring them to the vet as soon as you see them gaining sudden weight. Besides, there are also other Russian blue diseases that can cause overweight.

Neutering Or Spaying The Cat

It is believed that spayed and neutered cats gain more weight than the normal queen and toms. That might be because of the hormonal change or lack of physical activity, these cats can barely burn calories. Learn more about, How to Nurture Russian blue Cat.

Why Does It Matter If Your Russian Blue Is Overweight?

Obesity is a nutritional disease that brings other health issues to your cat. It is a nightmare for someone who has Russian blue as their pet.

The excessive fat present in the body of your Russian blue for a long period can bring adverse negative effects to their health.

The reduction of life expectancy and the occurrence of other serious disorders are not the things you want for your cat. Obese Russian blue lifespan is shorter than the normal and fit Russian blue and it is a proven fact.

It matters subsequently if your cat is overweight as it can be a serious problem. Health issues like diabetes, you cannot pet a cat that is not healthy as their body will not respond properly hence an unhappy cat.

Also, an obese cat is at higher risk to die while performing a surgical procedure. The effects of obesity on the lungs and heart of cats can make them prone to more surgical risks than normal cats.

The anesthesia that is used to make the cat unconscious during surgery cannot metabolize properly in the body of a fat cat.

It can be risky as the doctors might have to increase the anesthetic dose and have the chance to overdose the cat in the process.

Likewise, the doctor will have difficulty to reach the surgical target with all the thick layers of fat around it.

Moreover, the unwanted weight or excessive weight in the cat’s body can be a burden for their legs, joints, tendons, and ligaments.

Russian cat likes to jump into the bookshelves and rest there, with all the extra body weight, jumping and climbing can get difficult.

Can Obesity Cause Health Issues In Russian Blue?

Yes, obesity, as already stated, is a nutritional disease and can bring various health issues to your cat. Russian blue is not prone to disease but additional fat in the body can make their immune system weak.

Here are a few diseases that might hamper your obese Russian blue:

High Blood Pressure

Extra fats act like an additional burden for the heart, hence develops high blood pressure. The heart has to work harder to pump the blood to transport it all over the body.

Diabetes

The insulin that the body requires exceeds the ability of the body to produce insulin when the cat gets overweight.

This incapacity to produce or use insulin in the body of a cat leads to diabetes mellitus.

Breathing Difficulty

The ability of the lungs to expand is restricted when the fat is disposed of in the chest and abdomen. This can make the breathing process difficult and tiring for your Russian blue.

Fatty Liver Disease

When the fats are accumulated inside the liver cells, causes liver dysfunction which is known as Fatty liver disease or Hepatic Lipidosis.

If this disease is left untreated or unaccounted for, this can be fatal and kill your Russian blue cat.

Urinary Tract Disease

Many types of urinary tract problems like stones, injury, blockage, chronic pain syndrome, etc. can result from obesity in Russian blue cats too.

If you don’t monitor closely for the symptoms of these diseases, you might lose your cat as these diseases are fatal too.

Constipation

The obese cat often suffers from constipation as they are more likely to have a weak digestive system too. The fat disposition can not only harm the immune system but also the bowel movements of your Russian blue.

There is a chance of cancer, skin fold pyodermas to occur to these cats due to overweight and obesity.

What Can You Do To Avoid Russian Blue Cat Getting Overweight?

As it is crystal clear that obesity can be a curse for your cat, you have to do something to prevent it beforehand.

There are few things you can do for your Russian blue to help them stay fit not fat or obese.

Diet

You need to feed your Russian blue foods that are high on animal proteins but less on carbs. Russian blue is indoor cats so it is necessary to give them food that can easily be digested without exercises.

Exercise

You need to provide certain games to your Russian blue that can be physically and mentally tiring. These indoor cats are restricted to outside activity so they need means to burn calories inside their home.

This can help you to keep the weight of your cat in check and prevent them from being overweight.

Expert’s Advice

If your cat is under any kind of medication, ask your vet about the side effects of those medicines. And if the side effects bear obesity too, ask him/her to suggest some technique to keep the weight ideal.

Expert’s opinion on certain things can change the dynamic of the situation rather than dwelling over the problem.

What Are The Basic Ways To Help Your Russian Blue Lose Weight?

As long as you can prevent the weight gain process of your Russian blue, do that so they don’t put on some extra weight.

Overweight and obesity, as mentioned above, can bring complications and health issues for your cat. That’s why you need to do certain things to help them lose weight.

Consult Your Vet

Once you find out that your cat is obese or overweight, bring them to the vet immediately. They will start the obesity treatment as soon as possible.

This treatment will help to lose body weight as well as maintain it afterward. The diet plan that your vet gives you will help your cat lose weight without complications.

Follow-up every month to monitor the weight change of the cat and communicate with your vet regularly.

Diet

The key to helping your cat lose the extra weight is monitoring their calorie intake and exercise. Your vet might provide you a diet plan for both short-term and long-term, but it comes down to you to feed them properly.

As long as Foods and the feeding frequency are in check and done properly, there is a very low chance of your cat putting extra weight.

But once they do you have to monitor every single thing they eat. You need to check the calorie intake and types of food they eat.

Diet, as recommended for Russian Blue obese or not, that has high animal proteins as well as fibers but low in fat is recommended even when they get fat.

The dietary protein present in the food stimulates the metabolic process and energy loss while giving the cat feeling of fullness.

This will stop the Russian blue to feel hungry more and eat frequently. Once the feeding frequency is slowed down along with the food quantity, the weight loss process begins soon.

Fibers present in the food provide less energy but stimulates metabolism in the intestine and use of energy simultaneously.

Make the ratio of food small and don’t fill it up all the way to the rim of the bowl. You can use a feeding ball that has a normal ratio of food that cats can eat only after some physical activity.

Never make your cat go hungry for days and leave them starving just so they can lose weight. It is morally and scientifically wrong as this will only make your cat feeble and unhealthier.

Exercise

One of the reasons your cat gets fat is inactivity and lack of exercise. So, the weight loss process should start from here too.

You have to encourage your cat to do more exercise and involve in more physical activities. Buy them toys that make them stand on their feet while playing around.

Play throw and fetch with your Russian blue as they will play that game alike dogs and if you train them well. Keep their basic items on the different sides of the house so that they walk around a lot.

Medications

If the reason for your cat to get obese is diagnosed to be some kind of disease, ask the vet for the medicines that will solve both problems, disease, and obesity.

Once the disease is out of the way, you can make your cat go through a weight loss process.

What Are The Best Cat Foods For Obese Russian Blue Cat?

You need to find foods for your cat that can help it to lose weight without compromising its health and filling amount.

You can go for cat feeders that will help you give food to your greedy cat-like Russian blue who will eat till there is food available.

Cat slow feeder like Catit Senses 2.0 Digger Interactive Cat Toy can help you solve the problem with overfeeding behavior and can make the cat eat the food slowly and in a small amount.

Best Overall Food For Russian Blue For Weight Loss

You can go for the best overall food like Blue Buffalo Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food that is quite affordable too.

It is filled with various proteins as well as calories that will fill the stomach of the cat while helping them lose the extra weight.

Raw Food For Overweight Russian Blue

There is also raw food option if you want to feed raw food to your Russian Blue. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain is a highly recommended raw food as it has added L-carnitine that helps to boost the metabolism of your cat without letting it gain any more weight.

Food For Older Overweight Russian Blue Cats

If your cat is old or spayed or neutered and needs foods that are specifically made for them, go for Royal Canin Appetite Control Spayed/Neutered 12+ Dry Adult Cat Food.

This food is formulated with vitamins and antioxidants to boost the immune system to stay healthy.

Food For Overweight Russian Blue With Gastrointestinal Disease

If your cat is suffering from gastrointestinal problems or weight gain is one of the symptoms of these diseases, then you can switch to a vegetarian option as well.

Evanger’s Super Premium Low Fat Vegetarian Dinner for Dogs & Cats is very easy to digest making itself ideal for cats with the sick tummy.

Fish-Flavored Food For Russian Blue For Weight Loss

Your Russian Blue loves to fish like any other cat, so, you might search for a food option that is fish-flavored but also helps the cat to lose weight.

Solid Gold – Fit as a Fiddle with Fresh Caught Alaskan Pollock is free of fillers like soy, corn, and wheat as well as is the best option among fish-flavored dry food.

Wet Food For Russian Blue With Obesity And Dehydration

But if you don’t want dry food for you Russian Blue due to dehydration issue, you can have options among wet foods.

One of the highly recommended wet foods that are filled with proteins as well as fibers is Avoderm Natural Indoor Weight Control Cat Food.

Food Enriched In Protein For Obese Russian Blue Cat

Likewise, for food high in protein, you can go for Nulo Adult Trim Grain-Free Dry Cat Food that has a blend of vitamins and minerals. These are specifically made for indoor cats like Russian Blue with overweight issues.

Quick look: All the foods which I recommend above are listed in below table, which you can buy on Amazon.

Avoderm Natural Indoor Weight Control Cat Food amazon link
Blue Buffalo Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice amazon link
Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Natural Dry Cat Food by Nature’s Variety amazon link
Nulo Adult Trim Grain-Free Dry Cat Food With Bc30 Probiotic (Salmon & Lentils Recipe) amazon link
Solid Gold – Fit as a Fiddle with Fresh Caught Alaskan Pollock – Grain Free & Gluten Free – Holistic Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food amazon link
Royal Canin Appetite Control Spayed/Neutered 12+ Dry Adult Cat Food amazon link
Evanger’s Super Premium Low Fat Vegetarian Dinner for Dogs & Cats amazon link

What Are The Risk Factors For Obesity In Russian Blue?

There are several risk factors that have the potential to make your cat gain weight and result in obesity. It is often misjudged to be associated with the type of food rather than other factors.

Gender is one of the factors that serve as a potential risk factor for obesity in a cat. Male and neutered cats are more likely to gain weight than female or spayed cats.

Also, the reproductive status of Russian blue contributes to weight gain and obesity. Female, when they are pregnant, tends to gain weight but it wouldn’t affect them unless it turns into obesity.

The feeding frequency also plays a role as a potential risk factor as the more frequently they eat, the more carbs they intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although the questions related to overweight and Russian blue can be never-ending, here are answers to some FAQs you might be wondering about.

Why Is My Cat So Fat And Lazy?

Overfeeding, inactivity, etc., lead to obesity in the cat, and an obese cat isn’t energetic and playful. They like to sit and sleep all day and even if they try jumping or climbing, the extra weight makes it harder for them.

This might be the reason why your cat is getting fat and lazy every day.

Do Russian Blue Cats Eat A Lot?

Yes, Russian blue cats are known for their love for food and not knowing when to stop. Their body doesn’t do well with carbs, so they are prone to obesity and getting overweight.

These cats cat eat up to 10 to 15 times a day with no leftovers henceforth. They are a foodie cat that will eat most of the meaty things you serve them without making a fuss.

Are there any specific health problems that Russian Blue Cats are prone to due to obesity?

Yes, as a Russian Blue Cat, I am prone to developing health problems such as diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease if I become overweight. That’s why it’s important to maintain a healthy weight throughout my life.

Can Russian Blue Cats be overweight even if they are active and play frequently?

Yes, even if I’m an active and playful Russian Blue Cat, I can still become overweight if I consume more calories than I burn off through exercise. That’s why it’s important for you to monitor my diet and exercise habits to ensure I’m maintaining a healthy weight.

What are some signs that my Russian Blue Cat may be overweight?

Some signs that I may be overweight include having difficulty grooming myself, not being as active as usual, having a rounder or fuller appearance, and having trouble jumping or climbing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, overweight and obesity are never a good thing when it comes to Russian blue, although they are prone to them. You have to be extra careful with the food you are giving to your cat. Improper diet and feeding frequency can bring issues related to health and shortens the lifespan of your Russian blue. So, with the motto ‘Prevention is better than cure’ you have to make sure your cat doesn’t gain weight over 10% of its average weight. Even if they do get overweight, take measures to help them lose their unwanted and unhealthy weight. Simple precautions and proper care can go a long way for your furry friend and for you as well.

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