What can I do about my cat?

Question

My cat is so fat that he cannot clean himself properly. He has long white fur, so you can imagine what happens when he uses the litter box. I shaved him the other day and cleaned his butt properly, but now he is tracking poop all over the place because it has no fur to cling to. Now he has taken to sleeping in the litter box? WHY? Anybody have any ideas of how I can get him to stop doing this and how to keep his butt cleaner? How to keep the poop from going all over the house?

Answer 1

Hi there...when cat begins sleeping in their own litter box this may be a warning sign that something is medically wrong. Cats do with whenever they become very stressed as they find comfort with their own scents which is safe and familiar.

Generally, it's first recommended to discuss an appropriate weight loss guideline with your vet. Sudden changes in dietary requirements can be distressing to a cat and could contribute to other health problems. Cats who have dramatic caloric intake can suffer from something called fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1327&articleid=217 which shuts the liver down and is fatal. Therefore, before beginning any weight loss plan, please be sure to get approval from the vet to make sure this will not cause any other un-necessary health problems for your cat. Some cats can be overweight as a result of thyroid problems so this should be checked as well.

In the wild, animals will naturally eat what they need and no more. The task of searching for food and other basic necessities involves lots of exercise and so wild animals remain naturally fit and healthy.

The food available to them in their natural habitat is perfectly designed to meet their needs in an environment that has not been tampered with.

Domestic animals are provided with food which they do not have to hunt for and which is not always suited for their bodies. Cats who are free fed as well as given table scraps are more noted to have obesity problems because they eat out of boredom. In addition, they are often exposed to a lifestyle which contributes to sluggish metabolism, underactive thyroids and livers which are not able to remove toxins or eliminate unwanted fat from their bodies.

Most commercial grade cat foods contain corn, corn meal which are fillers (carbohydrates) that bind the dry food together as a way of keeping foods lasting longer. Try finding cat food products which are devoid of these ingedients. The first ingredients should show chicken, chicken meal, etc. Most show the first ingredients as corn on the ingredient labels. IAMs, Science Diet, Purina, Whiskas, Friskies ...all have corn listed as the main ingredient. Cats who eat these tend to always feel hungry because the carbs don't metabolize fast enough and cats are obligate carnivores so they need a diet devoid of these types of carbs. Products such as Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Prairie, James Wellbeloved (UK), are premium brands. Most cats who eat these find that they do not eat to eat as much because their appetite is better satiated.

Additionally, it's important to schedule feed a cat so you can monitor servings taken in during the day. Each product lists the recommended servings based on a age and weight. For an overweight cat you would be reducing the intake gradually by 10% each week that the vet recommends is an appropriate caloric intake. Cats who are switched from a free-fed diet shoudl be fed multiple times a day (if permittable) such as once in the morning, mid-day, and then evening before your bedtime.

When switching to a new brand of cat food it is also important to note that sudden changes can cause sever bowel distress. Cats have very sensitive digestive systems so the quick change will cause bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. Any vet can confirm this fact. Cat food should be changed gradually by mixing the current brand with the new brand over the course of several weeks. For example you would take 3/4 servings of the old cat food to 1/4 servings with the new for one week...then the next week 1/2 to 1/2...then following 1/4 of the old to 3/4 of the new in the third week before completing the switch in the final week. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=99

Furthermore, some cats can take off the weight faster by feeding a canned food diet. For some reason the hydration in the canned products helps metabolize food better and are also completely devoid of carbohydrates, which is more optimal for the feline's body. When cats eat raw meat in the wild they get hydration from the fresh meat juices as well as some roughage from the animals who are natural herbivores. A mixture of canned and dry are always best for cats in the long-term, which many people are unaware of. We are have been exposed to so many commercial ads regarding dry food for cats, but in reality it's the manufacturer's who benefit rather than the cats. Cats are not naturally designed to eat dry--the products were designed for convenience for the owner.

Here's an article about commercial cat food; dry vs. canned, proper nutritional needs, etc: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/cat-food/review.html

Finally, most cats become bored with toys quickly. It's important to rotate them by hiding them and then bringing them back out again so the appear to be like new toys. Interactive toys are the best ones to use to get a cat moving such as a laser light. Most cats love chasing the light. The goal is to get the cat to move back and forth at least for 5 minutes to begin as some tire more easily than others especially if they are overweight. You can increase play time more if they enjoy it. Some cats love chasing feather teasers tied on a string too. Experiment to what gets your cat moving. Just please remember most overweight cats tire easily so keep the sessions short and fun. Interactive toys are the best ways to get your cat to exercise rather than leaving toys for them to play with. They only bat at those and really don't move enough. Not only does the interactive toys work better, but it's a bonding experience for both of you as well.

Answer 2

Even after your cat starts a diet, it will take awhile for it to begin working. Here's what you can do in the meantime:
Most pet stores sell wipes you can buy to clean cats and dogs. They are pretty inexpensive. I had to buy a container and I think they were around $4. That will help you clean your cat. As for the mess he is tracking around, if it is carpet, I have found that Oxyclean mixed with water works REALLY well. Mix it up and put in on the area. Wait a minute or so and take a scrub brush to it. It comes off pretty easily. I don't have an answer to why he is sleeping in the litter box if he hasn't before, but I have heard that if a cat suddenly starts doing that they may have a health issue. My family has a cat that has done that since it was a kitten. The vet was not concerned because he said the cat has always done that. The vet did say that it usually signals a problem when a cat is older and suddenly does it.

Answer 3

Your cat poops once a day, I take it (like most other cats). If I were you, I'd scoop up the poop as soon as the cat drops it - you need to be vigilant and listen for the tell-tale scrapping sounds from the litter box. Oh, you don't need to be on high alert all day - most cats will poop at roughly the same time each day, so you just need to tune-in to your cat. I think your cat has gotten into the habit of actually enjoying the smell of his poop and doesn't mind at all that it gets on him. You have to kinda remnd him that cats are supposed to be fastidiuosly clean by fastidiuosly cleaning his litter box whenever he messes it with his poop. I scoop up my cats' poopies immediately after either cat does #2. And I also wipe my elder cat's bum for him with moistened toilet paper after he does #2 coz like your cat, he's a bit too big around the middle to reach his own bottom.

Answer 4

I know this sounds like a strange question, but are you sure it is poop? There are anal sacs in this region that can get infected (it can be chronic, too). The discharge resembles poop and leaves the area dirty. But it really smells nasty. Sometimes you will notice the cat scooting across the floor when they have this. I have two long haired cats and can't say they have a problem with the litter box. But my short hair has this anal sac thing going on and it can get really messy. I would contact my vet and ask him/her about it.

Answer 5

why, dont you just get him groom at the pet smart or at a cheap grooming shop least that might feel better so you wont worrying so much about him getting dirty or messing again . he will just have shorter furs . and you should wash youre cat butt by useing wet tissues or gave him a bath to wash off the poops with water . also if youre cat needed a better clean place to sleep in instead useing the litter box ? try to get him a cat bedset at the store .

Answer 6

I disagree with anyone who says your cat suddenly deciding to sleep in the litter box is "normal." Any noted changes in behavior like that may be a sign that something is wrong.

I would switch to a weight control dry cat food, as long as he will eat it. At first you might want to try mixing it with the food he eats now to get him used to the change.

Make a vet appointment ASAP. Tell your vet your concerns about his size and also about his change in sleeping habits, along with any other behavioral changes you have noticed.

By the way, props to you for helping to keep him clean. I agree with those here who say it will be helpful to keep him well-groomed.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I would take your cat to the vet and discuss a weight loss regime. You and your kitty are gonna get real tired of the baths and shavings. I had to do this with my older cat (same fur, same problem), but she was diabetic and so weight control was very very difficult.

Answer 8

You need to take him to the vet ASAP! Because he's so fat he is predisposed to particular problems including comstipation and/or anal gland blockage. He needs to be evaluated immediately and you need to start helping him lose weight before he developes diabetes. Good luck

Answer 9

Nothing Is Wrong With It.

Answer 10

take the poor kitty to the vet and see what they say about a diet for him.