Is it just me, or does your cat look a little .. paunchy? It's not a big deal. That's the ol' primordial pouch, aka a belly flap. All cats have them, to varying degrees. It's even prized in some breeds.

Many pet owners mistake the primordial pouch for fat, but this is not the case. It is not entirely known what purpose the primordial pouch served, but it is thought it may be there to protect the cat’s belly (which of course houses the vulnerable internal organs) area during a fight. All domestic cats have a primordial pouch (it’s just larger and more visible on some cats), and you can even see this feature on wild cats like lions and tigers. Some people believe that spaying or neutering causes this primordial pouch. This is a myth. All felines, regardless of their size, shape, or sex have this extra flap of skin.

The Primordial Pouch

If you've got more than one cat, you may have noticed how they kick at each other's stomachs when they're fighting. That's just play, but the tactic is the means by which they kill prey. Cats have belly fat, like most animals, to protect their viscera. All domestic cats have a loose flap of skin, often called the primordial pouch, which protects their stomachs. It almost looks as if they've swollen to Garfield-sized proportions, slimmed down, and retained the extra skin.

Spaying, Neutering, Aging and Weight Loss

After cats are spayed, it often looks as if their stomachs (and by extension, their primordial pouches) hang lower. Along with this, their skin flaps appear elongated. This also happens to male cats after neutering, as well as aging female and male cats. The sagging largely is a skin elasticity issue. Cats who lose a lot of weight, be it through disease dieting, still have these flaps, too. The primordial pouch is normal and doesn't merit concern.

Breeding & Purpose

Two cat breeds are noted for prominent stomach flaps: the Egyptian Mau and the Bengal. Both have spots, too -- a trait that strongly ties them to their big cat brethren.The flap allows the Egyptian Mau to twist and jump more agilely, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association. It's noteworthy that the Cat Fanciers' Association, one of the largest such groups, doesn't recognize the Bengal breed on the grounds that it's allegedly achieved through the breeding of wild and domestic cats. Still, their observation about the Mau also applies to the Bengal. Both breeds also are noted for speed.

Ideal Weights

Functionally speaking, the primordial pouch serves another practical purpose: It allows the stomach to expand and swell with food. In wild cats, this allows them to consume a large meal while the getting is good. In domestic cats, this also allows them to consume a large meal while the getting is good, but you should be feeding your cat regularly enough that he doesn't need to gorge himself in one sitting. Incidentally, a 1997 study from Cornell University found that about 25 percent of cats in a veterinary survey were heavy or obese. Granted, the study was limited in scope, but it also pointed out the health risks of cat obesity, which include disease and death. Knowing about your cat's primordial pouch can help you tell whether he's overweight or not. A view from above affords a good gauge. Consult your vet if you're concerned.

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Photo Credits

• Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

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