This Cat Mom Shares a Simple Trick to Test If Your Cat Is Overweight
Is your cat obese? That's not a dig at your precious pet, but according to the vet student otherwise known as Juno and Kiko's mom on YouTube, nearly two out of three cats in the U.S. are medically overweight.
Luckily, she just shared a handy trick to check your cat's weight without a scale or a trip to the vet's office.
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"A lot of owners don't even realize that their cat is overweight," she says in the video's voiceover. "If you're confused by body condition charts, here's a quick trick to check on your cat's weight."
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TLlz33h9xoM
"Placing your hand down flat, the top part of your hand represents a healthy, normal cat," she continues. "You should be able to easily feel your bones through the skin, but obviously, there's some musculature and fat in between as well."
Juno and Kiko's mom demonstrates how to feel this on your own hand, then how to rub the side of your cat's ribs to check for a similar feeling.
"Just like how you can feel each individual bone on top of your hand, you should be able to feel each individual rib on your cat," she adds.
Conversely, if you rub your hand from the palm just under your knuckles, you won't be able to feel your bones as distinctly. The same is true if your cat is overweight. You won't be able to make out each rib, signaling that there is more fatty tissue than healthy distribution of muscle, fat and bone.
On the flip side, if rubbing your cat's ribs feels more like touching the top of your knuckles, it is a sign your cat is too skinny.
"Of course, the best way to figure out your cat's body condition is by talking to your veterinarian," she concludes, "but this is just one simple trick you can do every day to make sure your cat is in good condition."
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What's the Danger in a Cat Being Over or Underweight?
Just like with us humans, cats need to maintain a healthy weight, and it has nothing to do with aesthetics.
Cats that are classified as overweight are at an increased risk of disease, from diabetes to arthritis, respiratory disease and urinary tract infections. Carrying around too much weight also leads to reduced mobility, lethargy, increased inflammation and a shorter overall lifespan.
Underweight cats are just as in danger, at risk for malnutrition and weakened immune systems, suffering from muscle loss and poor temperature regulation.
If your cat suddenly loses its appetite and loses weight, this could be due to an underlying condition such as diabetes, cancer or renal disease. It could also be a sign of "fatty liver" disease, so be sure to schedule a vet visit.
If your cat is showing signs of being overweight, try not to feed them between scheduled meal times and make sure they're getting a healthy, balanced diet. Talk to your vet about the right steps for your cat, and if your cat passes the hand check, keep up the good work!
Related: Cat Parents Are Raving About This Easy, Nutritious and Money-Saving DIY Cat Food Recipe
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 11:05 AM.