07.06.2022

Purrfect Siamese cat weight—all you need to know

Saying no to a Siamese cat is hard—they will look you directly in the eyes until you give in. Even if you aren't paying attention and are trying to ignore them, you will feel that stare. Then, the meowing will start. Siamese cats are known for being a very vocal breed and masters of manipulation. They will get what they want.

There is nothing wrong with pleasing your beloved kitty, but you have to be firm when it comes to food. Cat obesity is becoming increasingly widespread, and although it may seem cute that your feline companion is on the chubby side, unhealthy weight gain can be harmful. A few extra kilos can cause an array of health issues for your Siamese and make their life difficult.

Read our article to find out what the ideal Siamese cat weight is and how to keep it under control with a proper diet so your friendly cat can live a happy, healthy, and long life.

What's the average weight of a Siamese cat?

I’d eat, but I’m too lazy to get up.

Source: Pixabay

While a healthy adult Siamese cat typically weighs between 3 and 5kg, every feline is different. The precise weight of a Siamese cat depends on several factors, as follows:

1. Gender
2. Age
3. Genetics

Male vs. female Siamese cat—weight differences

Male Siamese cats are usually bigger and more muscular than females. Healthy Siamese males weigh around 5.5 kg, while the weight of females typically ranges between 3.5 kg and 5 kg.

Siamese cat weight chart by age

Siamese kittens grow quickly until they are one year old, and it's perfectly normal for them to gain a lot of weight in that period. After that, there shouldn't be much oscillation in weight, although some felines can gain up to a kilogram of muscle by their second birthday.

The table below presents the average Siamese cat weight by age:

How can genetics influence a Siamese cat’s weight?

Besides age and gender, genetics also play a big role in your Siamese cat’s overall size. Siamese cats with smaller parents will have a more petite frame, so they will naturally weigh less. 

How to know if you have an obese Siamese cat

Determining whether your Siamese cat has gained some extra weight can be challenging since the weight gain is usually gradual and can’t be noticed until it’s too late. 

Here are some good indicators that your Siamese cat is overweight:

• You can't feel the ribs or the spine when you touch the cat:
• If you have to press harder to feel the ribcage, your cat is probably overweight
• In case you can't feel the ribs at all, the cat is obese and must lose weight
• There is a visible fat deposit on each side at the base of the tail
• You can't see the waist when you look at the cat from above

What causes obesity in Siamese cats?

Lack of exercise and poor diet are the primary causes of obesity in cats.

Source: Leah Kelley

Many factors can contribute to obesity in Siamese cats, as follows:

• Activity levels—As opposed to cats that go outside and have plenty of opportunities to run, jump, and climb, indoor Siamese cats are more likely to struggle with weight. Cats also become less active in their senior years and can start gaining weight
• Neutering—Neutered cats often become less active and more hungry (especially in the first few weeks after neutering), which can cause them to gain extra weight
• Genetics—Genetic factors can also contribute to how easily a cat gains weight
• Medical issues—If a cat suffers from a condition that requires specific medications, one of the side effects can be weight gain due to increased appetite and lowered metabolic rate. Additionally, some medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or Cushing’s disease, can cause weight gain 
• Too many snacks—Cat parents sometimes forget that treats can contain a lot of calories and have to be accounted for when portioning the cat's meals
• Free feeding—Unless a cat has self-control and knows when to stop eating, providing them with a day's worth of dry food and letting them eat whenever they want can lead to overeating and excessive weight gain
• Inadequate diet—If a feline's diet predominantly consists of grains, sugar, and other carbohydrates and fat instead of protein, keeping them fit becomes a challenge

Why is it important for your Siamese cat to maintain a healthy weight?

Cats at a healthy weight typically live much longer, are happier, and suffer fewer health issues. Since overweight cats typically have less energy, they tend to be less playful and active. As a result, they often spend more time alone. This can lead to lethargy, depression, and other behavioural problems.

Besides psychological issues, all that extra weight can cause a range of medical problems, including:

• Heart disease—Overweight cats can suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), characterised by gradual weakening of the heart muscle
• Arthritis and joint injuries—All the extra weight can create pressure on a cat’s joints, making every movement difficult and painful
• Diabetes—An obese cat’s organism can become unable to produce enough insulin and balance glucose levels
• High blood pressure—This condition is often the consequence of another illness such as chronic kidney disease or issues with a thyroid gland

How can you help your Siamese cat maintain healthy weight?

I’m gonna catch you, and then, I’m gonna eat you!

Source: Faizal Ortho

Two factors are critical when it comes to maintaining healthy weight in cats:

1. Exercise
2. Diet

Encouraging your cat to be active

Cats are born hunters—they love to climb, run around, and chase their prey. If your Siamese becomes lazy, you should stimulate those hunting instincts. You can do that by providing toys your cat will love, such as:

• Balls
• Toys with feathers
• Laser pointers
• Moving mice

Armed with an arsenal of fun props, you should play with your Siamese cat for at least 20 minutes a day. While it's essential to find an activity that your Siamese enjoys, changing the game from time to time is also necessary as Siamese cats get bored quickly.

It would also help to introduce food puzzles and make your kitty work for food. These will have several benefits, namely:

• Physical exercise
• Cognitive stimulation
• Sensory stimulation
• Immense fun
• Slower eating

Adapting the diet

Feeding your cat the right portions of high-quality, protein-based food at regular intervals is the easiest way to help them maintain healthy weight.

The following table shows how many calories your cat should consume per day depending on their weight:

A change in diet is the best way to promote weight loss. 

Image (c) Untamed

How to choose appropriate cat food for your Siamese cat

A healthy cat diet should consist of:

• Animal protein—Meat is the source of amino acids, e.g. taurine, that cats need to grow, maintain normal energy levels, keep their digestive system healthy, and more. The percentage of animal protein in cat food should be at least 50%
• Animal fat—Fat is an excellent secondary energy source and provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It promotes skin and coat health and improves the absorption of nutrients. To ensure your cat doesn’t gain weight, the percentage of fat in cat food shouldn't exceed 20%
• Vitamins and minerals—They enable normal bone growth, a healthy metabolism, good vision, and cell regeneration. All the vitamins and minerals cats require are found in lean meat
• Water—Hydration is crucial for all bodily functions and good digestion. That is why wet food, which contains 78% moisture on average, is a much better option than dry food. Besides containing only 10% moisture, kibble is also heavily processed and usually high in carbs, which can lead to obesity in cats and be hard on their stomach

You should steer clear of cat food products that contain the following ingredients:

• Grains, such as rice, wheat, corn, sweetcorn, soya, and similar 
• Vegetables, including peas, carrots, broccoli, beans, potatoes, and sweet potatoes (small quantities of these are fine if your cat suffers from constipation)
• Cow’s milk and other dairy products are not a part of a cat’s natural diet. Many felines are lactose intolerant and can experience stomach issues after consuming dairy
• Additives, artificial colouring, taste enhancers, and sugar
• Eggs can cause gastrointestinal issues and are (especially the yolk) too high in fat

Untamed can help keep your kitty's weight in check!

If you are looking for high-quality cat food perfect for helping your feline friend maintain healthy weight, try Untamed! We have a range of delicious recipes that are:

• High in exclusively animal protein (two times more protein than the industry standard!). We don’t use plant proteins or other iffy ingredients 
• Made with human-grade meat because your Siamese cat deserves only the best!
• Formulated in collaboration with vets to ensure all recipes are complete and balanced
• Free from known allergens, i.e. grain- and additive-free, reducing the chances of food allergies to a minimum. We also offer dishes with a single protein source to make sure even super sensitive kitties can enjoy our meals
• Ethically manufactured because we care about our planet as much as we care about cats! Our supply chain is cruelty-free, and our production process and shipping are carbon neutral
• Approved even by fussy eaters. Thanks to gentle steaming, all the ingredients keep their nutritional value and exceptional taste that your kitty will love! Even if your cat is picky and often refuses wet food, they will fall in love with our tasty recipes!

Many cat parents report that they have witnessed fantastic benefits once they switched their Siamese to Untamed. Here's what you and your Siamese companion can expect:

1. First week—no mess in the litter tray, regular bowel movement
2. Second month—reduced shedding, nice coat, great teeth
3. Fourth month—improved muscle tone, fewer hairballs, excellent digestion, strong bones
4. Long term—stronger immune system, easy weight management, improved health

Where do I sign up?

This arrived, and I had to inspect it. 

Image (c) Untamed

You can become a member of the Untamed clowder in three easy steps:

1. Visit our Try Now page
2. Tell us about your Siamese cat's preferences, life stage, sensitivities, and food allergies
3. Choose a meal plan and complete your order

Your personalised starter box will arrive the next day, and once your kitty gives us a nod of approval, you can start receiving your Untamed deliveries every month.

If you ever need to change the meal plan, your kitty decides they prefer gravy to jelly, or you want to cancel your subscription, you can easily do it from your account.