Help - My Cat is Obese
By irisheyes
@irisheyes (4370)
United States
December 21, 2006 10:02am CST
I have the greatest feline in the world and I love him to death. His name is Humphrey and as soon as I can navigate around this site a little, I'll be putting his picture up. He's an 8 year old tommy tab with a tux and gorgeous but he is also very, very fat. He was always a chunky little guy. He was born with a cute little pot belly. Unfortunately, he now weighs over 18 pounds and has love handles that waddle when he walks. There is another cat in the hose who is on the skinny side and they both eat together so it would be hard too cut down on Humphrey's food. However, that doesn't seem to be the problem. Humphrey just doesn't like to move around. His idea of playing with Pish (other cat) is to sit still and let the little guy dance around him until he can hammer him down with a paw. That's also how he tries to catch birds. When he goes outside he usually eats grass and then goes and sits under a bush until it's time to come inside. I've tried toys but he just moves his head. The only time I've seen him move in the last year was when he chased a rabbit in the back yard and he really flew. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen often. Any suggestions on how to get this guy moving? He's due to go to the Vet next month and I'm dreading the weigh in.
7 people like this
55 responses
@cacoo1969 (14)
• Singapore
22 Dec 06
my bro's dog goes to the pet hotel every week, coming back skinny and fit - due to running with the other dogs there.
Maybe you can join some cat forum where they have cat gathering..it is hard to be still when you have too much action going around you.
@robiwankenobj (129)
• Italy
21 Dec 06
My mather has the same problem with her cats: one is very fat. So we're trying too feed them separately with different kind of cat food. We feed the fat cat only with food with a low quantity of calories. The only way I found to make she (the cat, not my mum) moves is to run with her!
@vipul20044 (5793)
• India
21 Dec 06
you can start that without the help of a vet at this point.
First off, you need to measure the amount of food that you are giving him. If he is an only cat, this is a snap. Just measure out 1/2- 3/4 cup of dry food, and feed him that once daily. When it is gone, do not refill the bowl until the same time the next day.
You can also add canned food, because it is a good thing for cats, but remember to figure that into the total amount of calories that he is eating, and reduce the dry food accordingly.
Next, NO treats. EVER! Ok, so there are some really low fat treats that you can give him, but only sparingly.
Then you can make sure that 10 minutes a day, you play with him, making him do something active. Start slow with this, especially if he is tired quick. He needs to gradually get into an exercise program, just like anyone.
Weigh him weekly on the same scale. You may have to hold him and weigh yourself with him, then weigh yourself without him. It is really important to do this. You will notice if he is losing, and how fast. You don't want him to lose weight too fast. That is really dangerous.
And yes, being overweight will make his life shorter, so be strong. He cannot get to the food himself, so you can really help him.
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
21 Dec 06
Buy a laser pointer. Cats go crazy running around the house trying to catch the red dot. Good exercize for the cat and amusing for you.
1 person likes this
@gatotkaca (68)
• Indonesia
21 Dec 06
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1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
21 Dec 06
Im dealing with the same situation. Only I have two like that. I know they need exercise but they stay inside so there is not much for them to do. I think I am going to change what they are eating. I dont know how well that we go over. I will let you know. You have to love them.
@PuteriBugis (233)
•
22 Dec 06
Hey, that is really cute! Oh I love to look at FAT cat, don't you? I always get fascinated when I see FAT cat. I will lose myself and give all my attention to any FAT cat that I see. Hhm... I know you are worried about his health, right? Ok, bring him to vet. like John did when Garfield ate too much...
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
22 Dec 06
Actually, I like the way fat cats (feline fat cats that is) look too but I'd still like this guy to lose a little weight and get around better. He's So special to me, I want to keep him around in good working order for a long time.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Let's see his pic. You posted this a month ago. I think I answered it before. How did he make out at the vet?
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
25 Jan 07
He made out pretty good Margie. He gained another half pound which doesn't seem to bother the vet as much as me. He needs his teeth cleand but that will have to wait until business picks up and I can spring for it (Things are tight all around). They have such tiny teeth, I can never figure why it costs more to clean them than human teeth....He's the cat in my avatar although I might be chhanging that in a little bit. For now he's still there...Take a gander.
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
21 Dec 06
Actually, he is a little like Garfield...only sweeter, I think. He seems pretty healthy but sedentary and too darn fat. When he saw the vet last year, she thought there wasn't too much need to worry but he was at least 3 pounds lighter then.
1 person likes this
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
22 Dec 06
I have not heard such like that but maybe you should not feed your cat often.
@josan181237 (1204)
• Philippines
22 Dec 06
i'm not really a cat person. i'm a dog lover. i think your cat needs a diet.
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
21 Dec 06
Your vet will give you the best advice. But an 8 year-old cat needs special food, especially if he's overweight. What kind of food are you feeding him? Dry, wet?
I'd like to point you to this site's forums, maybe they can also be of help (not affiliated with them in any way):
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
21 Dec 06
Hi...He eats both dry and wet food (The dry is usually Iams weight control)...It's hard because the lttle cat is younger and more active by nature and they eat together...I'm going to check out the forums, Thanks.
1 person likes this
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
21 Dec 06
I see. Is he free-fed, neutered? Your vet might end up telling you to feed him only at certain times and with measured portions. If you could get some toys, like mice and cat dancers, and play with him, try to make him move a bit more and get some exercise, that could help. Some people get a harness and a leash for their cat and take the cat outside, let him climb trees and such (I'm guessing he's an indoor cat?). I've never tried that personally, too many stray dogs around here :0
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
21 Dec 06
He's neutered and has been since he was around one. The problem is that he just doen't like to play and just looks at the toys moving although the leash sounds interesting...If I can keep him away from dogs...They're all over here too.
@JohnnyMurder (611)
• United States
22 Dec 06
Maybe just don't feed her so much? Cat's will usually keep eating when ever food is left out for them!
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
22 Dec 06
He doesn't really eat that much..He just doesn't move around enough...I think he actually eats about the same as his little skinny cat buddy who is all over the place.
@Metallion (2227)
• United States
22 Dec 06
Could be something that makes him tired like a chemical imbalance, vet might be able to find that out for you.
@xmanofsteel69 (458)
• Canada
22 Dec 06
Aww, I love fat cats! They're always so awesome! They're the best to have just lay in your lap...jsut because they're always to lazy to move. I use to babysit a kid with a fat cat, and it'd just sit on the couch for HOURS.
