In house cats, the pouch starts to develop around 6 months of age in both males and females. It's important to be able to tell whether your cat has a large primordial pouch or is overweight. Just like in people, obesity can lead to heart problems, diabetes and hypertension, Arce said.

What breeds of cats have primordial pouch?

Almost all cats, even lions and tigers, have this skin flap, but its size can vary. Some cat breeds, such as the Pixie Bob and Egyptian Mau, have a description of the pouch written into their breed standard. You may not notice the primordial pouch until your cat is an adult.

Do primordial pouches go away?

While you can't get rid of a primordial pouch, if you notice that your overweight cat has fat pads on his belly, this is an issue you can address. The primordial pouch is loose and is located on the underside of the belly, while an overweight cat may have belly fat on the sides of the body, and the fat won't sway.