My cat is extremely overweight and refuses to exercise...what are my alternatives?

Question

I have a cat, about 4 years old. He is the most loving creature on four legs and is perfect in every way...except for one thing, he is FAT!!!

We've talked to him many times about the dangers of being obese, however he still continues to eat.

We've encouraged him to excercise and try to play with him, however he'd rather just lay there and look at us rather than actually get up and chase the ball.

We are afraid this excess weight will lead to a shorter life so I'm wondering what my alternatives are.

I've asked my vet about a kitty lipo-suction and he flat out refused to perform that procedure. Has anyone ever successfully had this operation done on a feline....how about a stomache staple??

I love my cat and want to help, but he wont listen!!!

Answer 1

Hi Ted...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:80/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.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1399&articleid=1155

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

Nope there is no surgical way to get kitty skinny. Its diet, and exercise all the way. You might have to get a little treadmill and build a walking box so he cant jump off. I had to rehabilitate a 26 pound cat taken from an owner that didnt do anything to fix the obesity problem (there were other issues too) We had to basically feed the cat steamed rice and tuna in water, drained, and then mixed with oatmeal and bones. We had an outdoor large run the cat could go in with climbing posts and levels to jump on, also went to hydro therapy. Where he was put in a tub of water just enough to lift him off his feet and he had to paddle. So we had to do the work and he had to do the exercise. he got to 15 pounds and was a happy cat!!! though he never lost his fat pouch and and drags on the ground... pooor kitty.

Too whoever is thumbing me down if its because of the diet suggestion, I feed all my cats the B.A.R.F (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet that is supervised by a vet. This diet does include bones which if not cooked are good for cats. This is a natural diet animals can have rather than processed food. We did not starve him, he was on a strictly controlled diet BY A VERY RENOWNED VET. soooo pfpffftt

Answer 3

Wait a minute -- you are the same person who recently (a few days ago) said he trapped his neighbor's cat for getting footmarks all over his beeyooootiful car. Now you say you HAVE a cat yourself and your cat is too fat? Why am I a bit skeptical -- are you just having fun with your questions, or do you really have a cat? If you do, I am really surprised that you would be so upset about your neighbor's cat -- who is probably not overweight like your cat supposedly is.

You are the person who decides what your cat eats, so you have only yourself to blame if you have allowed your cat to become obese. I'm sure your vet can recommend a food that will allow your cat to slowly lose weight -- and when that happens, your cat will become more energetic.

Answer 4

My cat is obese too. But, we were able to trim him down a bit with some exercise and we fed him a really healthy (meat as first ingredient) food and reduced the amount he was allowed to eat. He wasn't overly happy at first, OF COURSE, but, he adjusted. When we initially tried him on the diet food, I don't know what it was made of but he just couldn't get enough of it to fill him at all. I think it was like eating air! He was going crazy. Poor fella. Anyhow, try giving him the good food and giving him NO MORE than the recommended daily intake listed on the bag/box.

Check out the link of my chubby baby!

Answer 5

Talk to you vet first, but I have a cat who was 27lbs and have been on a vet-supervised diet for 3 years now and she's down to 18lbs.

You have to be very careful with weight loss in cats- if they loose weight too fast, they can get major kidney and liver problems and sometimes it can kill them.

I tried a weight control food (has more fillers like wheat so cat feels full but gets less calories at feeding times), but my other normal-to-skinny cat ate that instead of his food!

So know what I do is allow her 20 minutes in the morning and an hour in the evening to eat, and that has done the trick.

Again, be very careful about fast weight loss with your cat.

Answer 6

Well, silly goose, if your kitty is fat and refuses to exercise, one of the best things you can do for him (since you can't convince him to play), is to change his diet.

Switch his food to a dry food (no wet), and make sure it's an INDOOR cat formula. Less calories for kitties who don't need it. And, hate to say it, you're gonna have to regulate how much he eats too. You can't just fill up the bowl and let him chow. Try going with the suggested daily serving on the package, or maybe even a little less. Once kitty gets used to it, it should help with some of that weight, OVER TIME. Gotta let their body burn some of the fat.

Also, have you tried Catnip? That sprinkled on toys, or heck, put it on their scratching post and let them sniff, rub and eat it. That might get a bug up their butt and get em moving.

Answer 7

Hehe my cat is the same way! Put it in an oversized hamster ball and get some tuna and make him follow you :) I don't think kitty-lipo would be very safe though. Just give him small amounts of food like 3 times a day that way you decide how much he eats so he can't over-eat and gain more weight

Answer 8

Maybe it's time to just accept it. We have a male cat who is probably around 5 years old and is extremely fat. He's a large cat anyway -- but he weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 pounds. He is not inhibited by his weight -- he jumps with ease and runs when he feels like it. He has been on Hill's Prescription Science Diet w/d (which is low fat and low magnesium to prevent UTI's) for well over a year and hasn't seemed to lost a pound. Friend's and family don't believe he doesn't get table scraps, we constantly hear, "What do you feed that cat?" He's not a fan of running and playing -- he'd rather just watch too. I used to stress out over it -- but I've come to accept Auto (the cat) is just happy being fat.

Perhaps it will be worth while for you to try the Hill's Prescription diet (it's typically only available through the vet). One of the formulas "XD" I think is supposed to turn fat into energy. Unfortunately because of Auto's history with urinary tract infections we can't use it -- but maybe it will work for you.

Answer 9

Feed him less, silly!

If you can't get him to the gym, you'll have to restrict his diet. Put him on a schedule, and pick up his dish when he's done. He can have all the fresh water he wants, but no treats and no meals in between meals.

He'll probably protest, but whatever...you're only looking out for his health. He'll thank you someday when he doesn't have back problems and bone problems and feet problems due to being overweight.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

First off, Jiggy, you sick m*therf**ker...you're reported. People like you are the reason animals die from abuse and neglect.


Secondly, my Tika is 20 pounds...and she's still playful, when she WANTS to be. Remember, you're dealing with a CAT. A semi-independent creature that does their own thing sometimes..and that's why those who truly LOVE cats think they're pretty cool.

Answer 11

A friend of mine had a cat once and she had this same problem. She had to cook him white rice and some kind of lean ground sirloin 3 times a day...I do not know about cat food, but I thought it was odd to "cook for a cat" I mean she would make the food less often and just heat it a little often. I am not sure how much and I am not sure that is still acceptable, talk to your vet.