Not every cat is a tiny, dainty little creature. In fact, many of the most popular cat breeds in the world are actually quite large, and they can weigh a lot too. You might have wondered: how much does a Himalayan cat weigh?

Himalayan cats are technically only a medium-sized breed, although they do look quite large and they can be reasonably heavy. At their full adult size, most Himalayans weigh between 7 and 12 pounds. Males are usually at the larger end – closer to 12 pounds in weight – whereas adult females tend to be around 7-10 pounds.

Read this article to get the full lowdown on the weight of Himalayan cats as they mature from sweet little kittens into fully grown adults.

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Himalayan Cat Weight By Age

Himalayan cats, or “Himmies” as they are affectionately known, combine the wonderful qualities of both Persian and Siamese cats into one glorious package. They have long, soft coats like a Persian, and bright blue Siamese eyes.

When raising a Himalayan, you get to see them grow from a small ball of fluff into quite a large and majestic feline. Have a look at the chart below to see how much Himalayans typically weigh month-by-month, from the time they leave their mothers to when they are fully matured.

Himalayan Cat Weight Chart

Age	Male	Female
3 Months	1.2 – 1.7 kg (2.6 – 3.7 lbs)	1.1 – 1.6 kg (2.4 – 3.5 lbs)
4 Months	1.7 – 2.1 kg (3.7 – 4.6 lbs)	1.4 – 2.0 kg (3.1 – 4.4 lbs)
5 Months	2.0 – 2.8 kg (4.4 – 5.5 lbs)	1.7 – 2.4 kg (3.7 – 5.3 lbs)
6 Months	2.2 – 3.3 kg (4.9 – 7.3 lbs)	1.8 – 2.6 kg (4.0 – 5.7 lbs)
7 Months	2.4 – 3.6 kg (5.3 – 7.9 lbs)	2.0 – 2.8 kg (4.4 – 6.2 lbs)
8 Months	2.6 – 3.9 kg (5.7 – 8.6 lbs)	2.2 – 3.1 kg (4.9 – 6.8 lbs)
9 Months	2.8 – 4.2 kg (6.2 – 9.3 lbs)	2.4 – 3.4 kg (5.3 – 7.5 lbs)
10 Months	3.0 – 4.5 kg (6.6 – 9.9 lbs)	2.6 – 3.7 kg (5.7 – 8.2 lbs)
11 Months	3.2 – 4.8 kg (7.0 – 10.6 lbs)	2.8 – 4.0 kg (6.2 – 8.8 lbs)
1 Year (12 months)	3.4 – 5.1 kg (7.5 – 11.2 lbs)	3.0 – 4.3 kg (6.6 – 9.5 lbs)
3 Years (36 months)	3.6 – 5.4 kg (8.0 – 12.0 lbs)	3.2 – 4.5 kg (7.0 – 10.0 lbs)

The numbers given above are not strict and exact figures that all Himalayans have to fit into. They are based on the average growth rate that is expected for the breed, but not every Himalayan cat is going to be an average animal.

You shouldn’t be overly concerned if your Himalayan cat doesn’t weigh exactly what is expected for their age – they might just be a little big or small compared to their peers. As a hybrid breed, Himalayans are known to be relatively diverse in size, so there is lots of room for individuals to be different.

Is My Himalayan Growing Properly?

As pet owners, it’s easy to be anxious about exactly how well your little Himalayan kitten is growing. While an expected number of pounds or kilos for their age can be helpful, it’s important to remember that every cat will grow up slightly differently.

On average, most Himalayans gain 0.5 – 1 pound of weight each month until they are around a year old. This process isn’t exactly consistent, though.

Just like humans, cats go through growth spurts that are not very predictable. You might notice lots of growth in some months and then very little in others. Don’t worry too much – you should only be concerned if they are not gaining enough weight for multiple months at a time.

If you are noticing an extended period of low growth – where your Himalayan cat is gaining less than 0.5 pounds a month over multiple months – then there may be an issue that you need to address. They might be suffering from malnutrition or a medical problem, so you should get them examined by a vet to see if there is anything you need to do.

Is The Himalayan Cat Breed A Separate Breed of Cat?

The main characteristics and features of these cats do vary, so it can be hard to predict exactly what kind of size and weight your Himalayan cat might be. Part of that is due to the natural uniqueness of each individual, but it is also partly due to the vague nature of the breed itself.

Himalayans are a combination between Siamese and Persian cats, but there is some disagreement about their exact status as independent purebred cats.

Individual Himalayan Persian cats are often classified as a long haired cats sub-breed of Siamese cat, or a colorpoint sub-breed of Persians. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), for example, considers these cats to simply be a color variation of traditional Persian cats, and they refer to them as Himalayan Persians.

The Word Cat Federation doesn’t recognize Himalayans as an individual cat breed at all. Instead, they have merged these lovely animals with the Javanese and the Colorpoint Shorthair and classified them all under a single breed: Colorpoint.

With all that in mind, it’s easy to understand why we see a lot of variation in Himalayans, and how they often get confused with Siamese and Persian cat.

Are Himalayan Cats Big and Heavy?

Big cats are lovely to pick up and hold, but some of the really large cat breeds are actually quite tough to carry around in your arms! Himalayans are, in many ways, the perfect middle ground. They aren’t massive, but they are quite big-boned and dense for their size.

Although they can have a bit of weight to them, Himalayans are often a little smaller than they might first appear. One of the most striking things about the appearance of these cats is their long, silky hair, which can be quite fluffy and make them look larger than they actually are.

Most Himalayan cats are about 10 to 12 inches tall and 17 to 19 inches long, which is considered medium for a cat breed.

If you want a cat that you can sit up on your lap and carry around the house, then these guys are a pretty great option. They are large enough to be great for cuddling but they aren’t as heavy and destructive as some of the truly massive cat breeds can be.

Is My Himalayan Cat Getting Overweight?

All of that luxurious fur can disguise a common problem among Himalayan cats: putting on a few too many pounds. Particularly as they get older, Himalayans are prone to obesity, which can result in a large number of health problems.

Obesity is an increasing problem among domestic pets in the US and some estimates show that more than half of all American cats are overweight or obese. An overweight Himalayan cat is at increased risk for many different health issues which can sadly shorten their lifespan, including:

Respiratory Problems
Skin Conditions
Heart and Liver Disease
Some Cancers
Joint and Mobility Problems
Diabetes

While it is important that you keep an eye on your cat’s weight, you don’t need to constantly be stressing over what the scales are telling you. Some Himalayans are naturally bigger and heavier than others, and that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are at an unhealthy weight.

How To Tell If Your Himalayan Cat Is Overweight

There are a couple of straightforward things that pet owners can do at home to check that your Himalayan is still in a healthy weight range. These checks are a bit more reliable and informative than just reading the number of pounds or kilos that you see on the scales.

Look at their body from above and the side. You should be able to identify a slight curve inwards around their waist, although it can be hard to spot if their hair is very long.
Press your hands against their sides. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs and hips through their skin and fur when you gently apply pressure.
Move your hands down their body. Starting at their chest, run your hands down the sides of your cat’s body until you reach the hips – you should be able to feel a slight hourglass shape. This is an easier way to check the waist of a long-haired cat.
Monitor their behavior. Your Himalayan should be active and comfortable getting around by themselves. Keep an eye on them throughout the day to see if they are struggling with certain movements, or if they are more lethargic and sedentary than usual.

If you are worried about the weight of your cat, or how much they are growing as they get older, then talk to your vet. They can examine your Himalayan more thoroughly and figure out whether there are any issues that you need to address.

Summary: Himalayan Cat Weight By Age

So, how much do Himalayan cats typically weigh as they grow? Well, most Himlayans gain around 0.5 – 1lb of weight per month until they are adults. Once they reach maturity, male Himalayans are usually around 8-12 pounds and females are normally about 7-10 pounds.

These cats are known as gentle giants, and they are great family pets. Himalayans are highly affectionate and easy-going, and their big fluffy coats make them the perfect cuddle companion!