Overweight cat - trouble ahead?

Question

My cat will be turning 5 yrs old this August. He has been fixed and weighs roughly 16 lbs. I'm just curious, will he encounter health problems like a human would for being so large for his age? Should I put him on a diet or something? Are there even such diets for cats?

I appreciate all replies, well thought out or not, especially if they're amusing. I won't forget about this question like most do - best answer will be selected when I come upon it. Thanks!

For anyone wondering just how fat he is, here's a delicious picture:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sunnalun/random/DCP_0030.jpg

That was taken a long time ago, so he's probably gotten a little bigger since then.

It's going to be difficult putting him on a diet because when he gets hungry, he paws at my leg and looks up at me with those big green eyes and.. I melt. :( I'm such a freaking pansy.

Answer 1

cats do seem fairly resilient to being overweight unlike humans and dogs

if your cat is in general good health currently then perhaps cut back on portions

check out to be sure that anyone else in the household isn't being conned into giving your lil chap a second helping every meal after protesting ever so loudly how hungry he is!

then check that no one else (IE a well meaning neighbour or the like) isn't supplementing his meals.

dieting for cats usually means cutting back on the size of portions - do it a little less each day so that it isn't immediately obvious what you are doing

we had a cat (now successfully dieted down to a slimmer moggie) who was overweight and when he jumped up on the fence it used to sway! also he couldn't fit in the cat flap which meant he had to be let in or out all of the time! grrr!

another way (not one i have tried but heck anything could help right?) is to get your cat a large hamster wheel to check out. if your cat is reluctant to use it then adding a rodent may do the trick (and if that doesn't - try food?)

Answer 2

Speaking as the proud father of an overweight cat, the problem with cats being overweight is that it takes its toll on their joints when they're jumping on and off stuff. It also may shorten their life span later on. I've been told that one extra pound on a cat is like 10 extra on a person.

Apparently cats lose weight the same way people do: eat less and exercise more. My vet said my cat should be fed no more than a 1/4 cup of food twice a day and get about 20 minutes worth of exercise.

Answer 3

I have 3 cats of all different sizes, one was obease! The best thing to do is gradual changes. I feed my cats 2-3 times a day, and do not leave the food set out or they keep on eating. Also high protein, low fat organic food is the best along with a time schedule my vet said!!!

Answer 4

I have a huge ginger cat who Im trying to put on a diet. He is such a guts. He steals off his brother and if I dont feed him he walks off and goes to the neighbours. Not to beg mind you. He steals off them. I have him on a lite diet and his brother on a full diet. He knows that if he steals of his brother and I catch him he will get a boot thrown at him. He has learnt that a loud no needs to be obeyed cause if not the boot will come flying. Im no sucker for him. His health is in question.

Answer 5

Well I can appreciate how you feel, I have a cat that is 5 also and mine weighs about 18 Ibs. to 20 Ibs. and he just keeps growing. I think they do have a certain dry food for cats that help's them maintain their weight. My cat that weighs that much is not the only one I have, I have 5 other's, 2 of which are his brother and sister. His brother is big also but not as big as him. Mine eat canned food also which probably isn't good for them but they love it. My 18 Ib. cat love's people food also, when ever you eat there he come's.It's hard not to let them have what they want. I think that iams cat food probably has diet food, but it's pretty pricey. Anyway good luck with your cat!!!

Answer 6

my 1 1/2 year old weighs 17lbs. we take him on walks, feed him a mix of lite and regular food and he just seems to get bigger. my vet, when he was 8 months old and weighed 12 pounds, told me not to let him get bigger...as if. Right, i can really stop a 8 month old kitten from growing. But, he does seem to be the biggest cat I've seen (as in length)
so...I've come to accept that my first child is a big boy and I like to say "he's big boned and muscular" :)

Answer 7

There are diets for cats.. take him to the vet and ask. Being overweight isn't good for him. Cats can get diabetes just like people can. What kind of shape is his owner in?

Answer 8

Of course he's in trouble. If he doesn't lose it, he's going to have back problems. You should find his ideal weight, get his metabolism up by playing with him regularly, and get him some diet food. Also, don't leave a full bowl of food out all day. Feed him 2/3 times a day and only a certain amount.

Answer 9

Awww, he is gorgeous, and he definitely shows signs of being well taken care of & loved......

Just dont keep food down all the time, thats what I have to do with my kitties, I have 4 indoor cats, and they were getting too chubby, so I stopped leaving food down... It will eventually make a difference. Also, make sure you play with him, because indoor cats are not as active, and that will help too...

Take Care....

Answer 10

yeah. he will have problems with joints and heart l8ter on. usually a diet of organic foods helps. if not, then take ur cat 2 the vet, and in serious cases the fat can be removed surgically