is cat overweight?

Can you post a picture of your cat so that we can get a better idea of his size, please?

Well, my cat Chazz is 10 lbs and he is 11 months old. I feed him a half of can of wet food with dry 2x a day. And there is always dry food left out for him to nibble. I called his vet and she said his weight is okay. Chazz has very big paws and is going to grow into a big cat. I adopted him from a shelter, where he was neutered. I was told that part of the reason his belly looks big is due to a common condition. It is common for a male cat's stomach flap to hang down and protrude if the cat has been neutered. So even though I thought my little Chazzy was a fatty, I found out his weight is okay!

You should ask your vet what is the ideal weight for your cat, since some cats are just larger than others. If he is severely overweight, then it may be better for his health to lose some. However, if it wouldn't make that much difference, then just make sure his weight is stable and he continues to be active. Worms would actually make him skinnier, since they would deprive him of nutrients, so I don't think that's it. Hair balls wouldn't make him fat either, but they could cause a blockage.

Losing weight the right way in cats takes a long time. They say it should take nearly a year to lose 1 pound.

Ask your vet what to do.

Cats that are over weight face the same potential medical problems associated with being over weight in humans. They can develope diabetes, heart disease, etc. Every cat's metabolism is different, so you can't say that a set amount of food fits across the board. I have 3 cats and each one eats a different amount of food. If you are concerned that your cat is gaining too much weight, you could try a lower fat diet. Also, add some interactive play time. One of my cats sounds just like yours and I have to monitor his eating more closely and make sure he gets exercise. I also put his dry food dish up on a table so he has to jump up to get it. Every little bit helps! Losing even just ounces makes a difference in a cat's health.