Is my cat too thin?
 

I haven't had a cat since I was a pre-teen so my memory and attention to their weight issues is simply not available.

Touhy is now four months old and has already passed up all the yorkies in height. She has long legs and a long body but she looks skinny to me. Is she just growing quickly like an adolescent child?

She has Purina Kitten Chow available all the time and I see her going to it several times a day. She also gets 1/3 of a can of 9-lives three times a day. She has been known to sneak over and eat some of the dogs' Blue Buffalo too so I really think she is eating enough.

She is really high energy too. I don't think I have ever seen a cat run around, jump, play, and get in to things as much as she does. She just doesn't seem to have a slow speed. It is either go go go or sleep. Is she burning off all the calories she eats?

One last question - when is a cat considered an adult. I don't want to keep her on the Kitten Chow if she is too old for it. I know she isn't too old yet but I'm curious.

We plan on getting her spayed very soon so I suppose that will help put on weight as she will have to slow down for a while. :rolleyes:

TIA

Not sure about answers I have always had cats and they have always been overweight. I think they are considered adults at 6 months like dogs.

Thanks
I don't stop puppy food until the dog is 12 - 18 months old depending on the breed. Larger dogs take less time and encouraging fast growth isn't good for them. IMOM

Were any of your cats kittens when you got them?

My vet said cats should come off kitten food at 8 months, but she's one of those "GP" type vets, knows a little about everything and can answer general questions.
All the cats we had growing up were always skinny looking until they were around 10 months.
Here you go, website sited at the end:
Thin Cat

Usually you can tell when a cat is too thin. Its fur may be dull, and it probably has an unhealthy look. According to the weight chart, you may also see the following:
The skeletal structure is easy to see. Ribs, vertebrae, and pelvic bones can be seen and felt.
The neck is thin.
The cat's waist is unhealthily narrow.
The abdomen is concave.
There is no obvious fat.
Underweight

A cat may be underweight without being unhealthily thin. There are many reasons that a cat could be underweight, including having worms. If your pet is underweight, you may notice the following:
While the ribs might not be easily seen due to the fur, they will be easy to feel.
The backbone may be easy to see and will be obvious when you run your hand over the cat's back.
There will be little fat on the cat's body.
The abdomen may be concave.
The Ideal Weight

A cat that is the ideal weight will be healthy and have a longer, higher quality of life than a cat that is too thin or too fat.
The ribs can be felt, but they will not be visible when you look at the cat.
Looking down on the cat you can see a waist.
The abdomen will be slightly concave; this creates a smooth curve from the chest.
Cat Weight Chart | LoveToKnow

My cats are a year old and are long and slender. I think that is healthy since so many cats get overweight

I always considered my cats adults at 1 year old. Also, I don't know if you know the background of your cat, but just like dogs, different genetics can influence their growth, even though many cats are lumped into a general group of "domestic short or long hair" they originated somewhere. I think if your cat is eating well and obviously active you are doing everything right.

You guys are sooooo much help. Thank you!!!!! I am now convinced that touhy is a gawky adolescent! Come to think of it - she is about as graceful as a bull in a china shop.

Touhy comes from a barn cat and all I know about her is the approximate date of her birth and that her mother was "average size". Whatever that means.

One more question. How do you get a stool specimen from a kitty litter box? Do the vets mind sifting through the litter? LOL

My vet gave me worm pills before I even got Touhy because in her words "She is bound to have worms and it won't hurt her even if she doesn't." She added that she thought it was needless to even check given where Touhy came from. That was fine with me. It saved me money and time.

We need to get her in soon for her shots and spay so I want to be sure she is worm free and will take a sample.