Severly overweight cat...?

Question

I'm fostering a cat for our local rescue society. He was abandoned there without helth information, or age. He's middle age I'd say though. He is seriously overweight, I don't know how many pounds specificly, but he's in a dangerous condition. He's also very depressed seeming. He has no interest in his new surroundings, or me or anything at all. What can I do to get him playing with things, or walking around? HELP!

Answer 1

I read all the other posts, and honestly, stick with the suggestions from 'old cat lady' about rescue remedy and diet. She is right on. Iams and Science Diet are not good foods. I know most Vets say they are, but vets were never schooled in nutrition. They do understand the percentage of protein, etc. that cats should have, but where that protein is derived from is of most importance. Most of the cat foods are full of sugar, creating unhealthy and obese cats, much like Americans. Better foods do not advertise, but use that money to put into better quality ingredients. I use Felidae or Chicken Soup for The Cat Lovers Soul, and Wellness. All of these foods are great.
For more nutrition info go to:

http://www.catsabout.com

Best Wishes Foster Mom

Answer 2

You should get a bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health foods store and treat him with that for his depression. It will definitely help him pull out of it. You put it on the fur between his ears and not in the cat and that is not contraindicated by vet treatment or rescue society policy.

You just shake the bottle well and treat the cat by putting three to four drops on his fur. Treat him as often as you can, a minumum of three to four times a day for the next week to ten days.

An abandoned cat in a new situation is under extreme stress and he needs help now. I would feed him some jarred baby food, such as chicken or turkey for a few days. The baby food must not have ANY onion or garlic seasoning. This can't be a permanent diet for him as it is lacking in taurine and the straight meat will nourish him well for now and will not cause any weight gain.

He needs to have a high protein diet without any corn if he is to take off some weight. Get him some Natural Balance, canned is preferable, and their dry food is also excellent.

The food mentioned in other posts all contain corn which is very fattening. Fillers in the high protein quality foods are usually brown rice (in the dry) and that will stop him gaining any weight and over time will help him lose the necessary pounds.

Right now the Rescue Remedy is very important to clear his psyche of his trauma over losing his home and being in a strange environment.

The flower essences work energetically on the emotions and their use cannot harm him in any way.

Answer 3

I had the same problem with my cat. As far as his depressed state. You just have to give him time to adjust. Just let him know you are there, give him affection, love him. Try giving him treats at first to get him comfortable. Once he is comfortable he will start playing with his toys and things. My cat hid under the bed for two days and then he would just sit around. But after about two weeks he started running around the house and playing with everything. He even started pulling the curtains off the windows.

Once he is comfortable with his new home. Start working on his diet. What I found that is the best is just feed him like you should a normal weight cat. For a cat his size it's best to feed him a can of wet in the morning and at night and a cup of dry to nibble on all day. I did this for my cat and when he started playing more, his wieght just started rolling off. Within a few months he was down to his normal weight.

I also found that a window sill perch helps them feel more comfortable b/c they can sit and look out the window, they do not feel as confined this way. I hope my advise helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

Cats can get depressed over many things. The fact that he is not with a family now could be the cause. Maybe he has been with that family his whole life and the change is affecting him. He could be diabetic and that would cause this behavior. However he is overweight so its hard to say. Science diet has a formula for over weight cats, but you could get something at wal-mart if cost is an issue. Give him time to get used to his surroundings. Some cats almost act snobby in a new home like a child who would rather be doing something else. Either way I would get some blood work done to check thyroid and blood sugar.

Answer 5

Iams is the same thing as Science Diet, just the cheaper brand. You can get it at wal-mart and grocery stores. They have a diet formula. My mother's cat was overweight and she started feeding her this. It works. Also, make sure she has to walk to get to her food, bathroom, etc. Don't make it too convenient. Take her to the vet so you will know if there is an underlying problem though. Only put small portions in bowl to eat. Don't give access to overeating. Also, don't feed table food or scraps. These are highly fattening and a bad habit.

Answer 6

Please be careful when placing cats on diets. Their livers cannot take allot of fat being put through them and it can destroy their health and kill them. I would talk to a veternarian or get a Science Diet plan and put her/him on it. As they said above, exercise is the key (just like for people) and its rough on pets in a pound because of the smell of other animals and cleaning agents. They can smell at least 15x better than you, so just imagine the overpowering odors they must sift through daily! But, seriously, if you visit your sponsored pet it should pick up from its depression, after all, everyone needs love and attention and that includes pets. If nothing else, after it gets to know you it will follow you around and you can take it "for walks" getting it exercise.

Answer 7

He probably needs to be put on a diet, first....just buy the diet cat food and limit how much you put in the dish...try a single handfull maybe once or twice a day. He also needs to adjust to his newfound surroundings. He may be depressed because of his obesity..it tends to slow them down in every way. good luck!

Answer 8

Try giving him lots of love and attention. If he has ever experienced catnip, that might cheer him up. You can get it at the pet store in herb form or spray (less messy, can be applied to toys). They get silly on that. My babies love paper balls, a paper tied to a string that is dragged on the floor, and toy mice. One mouse has a string that I pull, and it runs across the floor. That gets them playing.

He could be sick, too. Maybe a thyroid or other physical ailment. Has the vet seen him and given him a physical? Best wishes.

Answer 9

Thyroid disease is one of the most common health problems we face today. From a practical standpoint, there are many ways to approach this issue. Learn here https://tr.im/uexTo

Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a very common problem, and there are many reasons for this, including drinking chlorinated and fluoridated water, and eating brominated flour.

Chlorine, fluoride, and bromine are all in the same family as iodine, and can displace iodine in your thyroid gland.

Secondly, many people simply aren't getting enough iodine in their diet to begin with. The amount you get from iodized salt is just barely enough to prevent you from getting a goiter.

Answer 10

How sad! I would try to give him as much attention as possible. Talk to him and pet him and hold him. My cats are all in good shape weightwise and they eat as much as they want so I don't know what you'd do about his diet, but I suppose you've had help with that. If you can get his attention, try to get him to play for exercise. I hope he comes around. Good Luck!