The ancient pouch on the fluffy belly of cats: your pet is not gaining weight, it’s a very important feature

You have probably already noticed that some cats have a very pronounced lower belly. A soft, hanging belly covered with silky fur is not a sign of weight loss, nor is it a sign of extra pounds. This area is called the primordial pouch and is a completely natural and healthy formation.

All cats have one; for some it is more flashy, for others it is less conspicuous. We will show you exactly what is that hanging belly of a cat.

This is an essential part of a cat’s body structure

This cute little pouch has been around since the earliest stages of cats’ development, making it an indisputable part of their biological makeup. Both males and females have them, they are literally born with them. In fact, even non-domesticated wild cats have it.

The primordial pouch is made of extra skin and some fatty tissue. To make it a little more understandable, this is an area like the one found on the necks of our pets. There is also a relatively large extra layer of skin. This is where the mother cat lifts the little ones.

Depending on the cat’s breed, size and genetic makeup, this pouch can be more prominent or more discreet. For example, the slender Sphynx’s pouch is usually more prominent than that of the Maine Coon, where the area is hidden by thick, long fur. Some breeds are highlighted and praised by organizations for their hanging bellies, as they consider them a desirable feature; such as in the Pixie-Bob.

Why a cat has a hanging belly?

This hanging belly does 3 great services for our pets. The first is protection. The loose skin of the pouch not only sways back and forth and delights the eyes of the owners, but also protects your kitties’s vital organs. Including its liver. Cats can sometimes become aggressive, and it often happens that the situation escalates to physical levels. In such cases, the pouch provides a great solution to prevent kicks, scratches and bites.

As talented acrobats, cats also benefit from hanging bellies in this regard. It’s amazing, but when they need to escape, their incredibly strong hind legs and the primordial pouch allow them to be more flexible to jump higher. And of course, it’s also a big help if they have to jump onto the kitchen counter while you’re taking care of Sunday lunch.

Similar to the way we switch to loose-waisted pants when preparing for the treats on the holiday table. The elasticity of the pouch also allows the cat’s belly to expand to store food. This is especially useful for feral cats. Due to their lifestyle, it happens that they eat a larger portion once a day. Based on this, we could also call this belly the sweatpants of the cats.

This may change the size

If you suddenly notice that the pouch is bigger, don’t panic! As time passes, not only humans, but also cats lose muscle mass and skin elasticity, so the handbag may turn into a shopping bag. If your cat has gained a few kg because winter is here, the size of the pouch may still increase, and nd of course even if your pet is pregnant. If you are unsure, definitely visit your vet!