I have a one year beautiful black cat with green eyes name Owen. I adopted him last year from a not so good home and there was no momma cat around to feed him so he was taken away from her pretty early on ( abt 3 weeks old) I bottle fed him with kitty formula until he was able to eat on his own. For the most part I feed him a varity of different brands of dry cat food and once in a while some wet food as a treat. I have two other cats as well and I keep the bowl filled with fresh water and food at all times. Owen is very under weight and I cannot figure out how to get him to gain some (very boney!) any suggestions? ...Melissa.
2006-11-01 12:22:19 · 8 answers · asked by melissa 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Some cats are just lanky. Like humans, each one is built differently and has a different metabolism. Since Owen is still young, his metabolism is probably still pretty high. And if he hasn't been neutered, he's probably still SUPER active.
You should give him more soft food. A male's diet should consist of AT LEAST 50% soft food as males are more prone to bladder crystals which are aggravated by dehydration. Sadly, the majority of cats on mostly or all dry food diets are at least slightly dehydrated. Soft food is easier for cats to digest and contributes greatly to their overall health. Using different brands is fine, but make sure you're buying high quality brands. Avoid foods filled with corn and by-products, opting instead for foods made with real meat and more nutritional fillers like peas, carrots, etc. Some good brands are Wellness, Nature's Variety, Natural Balance, and Solid Gold. They can be a bit pricey, but end up being more economical because you'll have a cat with fewer health problems.
It's not a good idea to give cats tuna or salmon on a regular basis. Most fish is too high in mercury and too low in essential nutrients like taurine. An occasional treat of fish is fine, but don't use it as a means to make a cat gain weight.
Free-feeding is not recommended. Two to three meals a day is more than sufficient for the average house cat.
Check out this site:
http://www.catinfo.org
2006-11-01 12:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Iams used to be a good brand, but is now filled with by product and grains. These cause your cat to gain weight (it's like eating junk food all the time). Try switching to a quality brand, such as neutro and royal canin. If they don't have a weight loss formula, the senior cat formulas are the same. Also keep in mind, some cats are just built for larger frames. Take your cat for a checkup to make sure it is actually gaining to much weight
2016-03-19 02:38:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take cat to vet to get checked out.Some cats and dogs are like some people they cant gain weight.Need to make sure to other two cats are letting him eat might move this cat food and litter box until he get a little older and bigger.If you have not taken the cat you are talking about not gaining weight to the vet you might be letting the other 2 cats get sick there is a lot of cat sickness that can kill a cat, aids.leukemia,bladder infections just to name a few.
2006-11-01 12:42:43 · answer #3 · answered by Douglas R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if it's available at Petco or if you have to see your vet, but I've heard that there are special kinds of food made to help your pet gain weight. My friend's cat had to do it, but it ended up making her other cats too big because they were eating it too! Haha...but, yeah. You could ask someone at a pet store where it is, or ask your vet about it.
2006-11-01 12:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by yourelyingivebeenyou 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a cat food that he seems to prefer and stay with it. Cats don't like to have their food changed and will often not eat a new and different kind. He also may just be naturally skinny.
2006-11-01 12:39:42 · answer #5 · answered by Chris J 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Give him tuna or salmon. And also make sure that the other cats are letting him eat. You should make sure he doesn't have worms. Check his gumline, if it's white, then the cat is anemic. If so, he needs to go to the vet. Good luck dear!
2006-11-01 12:26:53 · answer #6 · answered by veritastheliar 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i also took in a cat at averey young age about three weeks
and she was verey under wait we feed her scraps and wet food
she fatend right up know time
* good luck*
ally
2006-11-01 12:41:27 · answer #7 · answered by paintballchick_32 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think since he left his mom so early he might never get to be the desired weight. try putting some enticing aromas on his food like pour something into it to make him want to eat it
2006-11-01 12:32:15 · answer #8 · answered by Michelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neuter,worm,vaccinate, and feed a GOOD quality dry.
You could test for FeLV also.
2006-11-01 12:25:07 · answer #9 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋