My cat does not have worms but all he wants to do is eat and he is getting really fat, what should I do?

Question

He is 8 months old. He had a total physical about 4 months ago. I feed him once in the morning, once at night. He always liked to eat, but lately he has been gaining wait and trying to eat the dog food.

Answer 1

Get a better food for your cat. If you are using inexpensive food from the grocery store you are just giving him a diet of corn. Corn is used to fatten slaughter animals and does nothing for your cat's nutrition. Don't get food with by-products and/or corn. There is nothing wrong with giving your cat canned food either. It's good to give a male cat about 50% wet instead of all dry food.

He is just eating fattening food and getting no nutrition so he always feels hungry. I am glad to hear you have the two meals a day right. Food should not be left down all day for a cat. Nobody seems to do this with dogs, why do so many people do it for cats?

Some good foods, dry or canned: Eagle Pack, Solid Gold Katzen Flocken, Natural Balance, Nature's Variety, CA Natural. These run from $1.50 a lb to $2.40 per lb (CA Natural)

Really nothing but corn: 9 Lives, Meow Mix, Science Diet, Purina One, Iams, Whiskas. These range in price from $1.07 per lb. to $2.09 a lb. (Science Diet, kitten and regular)

So it's a matter of maybe 50 cents to $1 a more a pound for really quality food.

Answer 2

Cats are notorious for overeating. I don't think you're feeding him too often (I give my cats two meals a day), but maybe you're giving him too much at one time? Check with the vet to see how much he should be having at a time. And try to keep him out of the dog food. You could try giving the dog a set meal schedule, as well....that way you can pick up both food bowls when the animals are done eating. Because you don't want your dog in the cat food, either....it will make the dog fat.

Also check the food you're giving him. A lot of crappy cat foods (yes, even Science Diet) are chocked full of corn....which will pack weight on a cat quicker than you can say "meow". Look on the ingredients list, and if you see "by-product" and "corn", avoid that food. Look for foods made from real meat and with more nutritious fillers like peas. Some good brands are Wellness, Natural Balance, Nature's Variety, Wysong's, and Innova Evo. This site has some good info on cat nutrition:
http://www.catinfo.org

Also keep in mind that a lot of males tend to get a bit tubby....even ones that run around outside. Our male has that distinctive "tom gut" that most seem to get. Your kitten is 8 months old....so he's at a point where he's filling out and turning into what he will look like as an adult cat. Since I can't see him, I can't tell if your concerns are unfounded, so you might want to check with the vet about his weight. Our male is a healthy 13lbs.

And please do not do what some uneducated people are suggesting. Do not withhold wet food from your cat. Especially a male. Like Old Cat Lady said, it is essential that a male's diet be at least 50% soft food. Soft food does not make them fat....crappy food does (wet or dry), and overfeeding does. That's it.

Answer 3

You didn't mention how old your cat is, or whether he is an indoor or outdoor cat, but there could be something going on with his thyroid - hyperthyroid. it's a condition that is easily detected and treatable by a vet. Also, if you are feeding him any type of people food, stop immediately as a cat can not digest what humans eat. Best suggestion though is get him to a vet who will do some blood work and a physical - that is the only way to know for certain if there is something wrong, or if you just have a cat who loves to eat!

Answer 4

your cat is bored. Bored cats will eat and eat (like some humans) to "entertain" themsleves and fool themselves into thinking they are at least doing some activity. This is what I would do:
1) play with him at least 20 mins each day
2) if he is an indoor-only cat, get him plenty of toys to play with on his own or even a cat-tree or condo
3) do not leave food out (like dry kibbles) in his bowl for him to get all day
4) But, you can "hide" one or two kibbles in interesting places he can get at ) like under the sofa, behind a planter that the cat can "discover" during the day - this will make him think that he is WORKING for his food and keep him alert and interested.
5) consider switching to wet canned food when you serve his main meal in the am and pm.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Just don't overfeed him. One of my cats is a notorious beggar. They gain weight real quick. Once I was gone for the weekend, put a big mixing bowl of food out-supposed to last the weekend, heck could've lasted a week. It was all gone, and I kinda suspect it was gone the first night lol.

Answer 6

Limit what he eats. If there is more than one cat, fed the fat one seperately and take up the food after they eat.

Answer 7

Hmm ; maybe it's just the
breed my cat weighs over
20 pounds - he's big & fat
I love him though . He is really
active & happy ... his name is
fatty ( we changed it after he
grew up & it stuck ) I like big
fat cats though . But like I said
he's also really big not just fat
haha maybe try to put him on
a new diet cat food & get him
some new toys so he can get
exercise.

Answer 8

give him only dry food put out a cup in the morning and when its gone its gone then one in the evening same thing no wet.. no treats play with him more leave water out all day change his habits and play play play when you have time that is or get him afew more toys to spark his interest ...how old is he?? cats are never to old for a little nip..... good luck

Answer 9

put him on a diet and keep the dog food...secure. try to find a toy he really likes (believe me, at least one exists) and if he likes to chase things, both of you can get some excersise around the house

Answer 10

Is this behavior new ? How old is the cat ? I'd bring him/her into the Vet. and find out what's going on. Good Luck ! :)