mine weighs 10 pounds (last time he went to the vet which was about 1 month ago) is that overweight and if so, what can i do to help him get healthier
2007-02-16 01:35:24 · 9 answers · asked by Lissa 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
That actually sounds reasonable, but really it depends on the individual cat.
The way to tell if a cat is overweight is to feel them. If you can feel their ribs, it's good. And if you look down on them and they have a noticeable waistline, that's good too.
A male cat won't have the spay-pouch that females do either.
As for keeping him healthy: I have an overweight (25 pounds at last check) girl and I've done a ton of research on obesity and diet. What I've found is this:
The very best diet for a cat is to kill and eat mice and birds. After that, a diet of "whole prey" which is much the same thing except that you provide the dead animals for them. Literally you'll plunk a dead mouse in their food bowl for example. Or perhaps you'd feed them on a variety of meats - chicken legs (WITH bone), pieces of goat (I kid you not), pork, etc.
After that, still using raw meat, but grinding it together with bones and organs. This is still very good but they miss out on the dental benefits of gnawing on muscle meat and bone.
Next comes good quality GRAINLESS canned foods. Because cats are obligate carnivores, they are meant to eat MEAT. Many canned foods, and EVERY brand of dry food contain grains, which their digestive systems are not meant to handle.
A diet of dry food can certainly keep your cat alive, and they do like it. Much as humans like junk food.
Ok, so I've lectured on a bit! I'll stop now and provide you with some links to cat nutrition.
2007-02-16 01:46:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My female cat is overweight, but that is because she weighs over 15 pounds, she used to weigh 20. But 10 pounds is not overweight, especially for a male. But if you want to make sure, then just ask your vet next time you go. You don't need to make a special trip, because if your cat is overweight, it isn't by much.
2007-02-16 01:44:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All our adult cats weigh a lot(Mew-15 lbs, Ruffles- 19 lbs, Shadow- 14 lbs, and Kitty- 15 lbs). Our vet always tells us they are all over weight.
If I give them less food then they eat like pigs when they do get food and end up spitting it all up(cause they ate too fast) and are hungry again. Then they won't leave me alone until I feed them again(meowing, jumping, doing anything to get my attention). Feeding them at only a specific time or times during the day has helped some.
The vet said to get them to exercise more. Don't know how he thinks I can get cats to exercise! All they want to do is sleep. If I keep waking them up, they only find another place to hide and sleep there. After me waking them up all the time I had the problem of them waking me up when I wanted to sleep.
I believe a cats weight is healthy as long as they can still jump and run around, play, don't eat all day, and the only big health problem they have is that they weigh too much.
2007-02-16 05:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by Sue 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on his size. My cat is 15 pounds and we go to the vet regularly. Numerous vet's told me that Chester is fine. As far as what to do to help him lose weight, regulate his food. Chester gets 1/4 of a cup of food two times a day. I had to stop leaving Chester's food out and full, he would eat when he was home alone, depressed or bored. I hope I've helped.
2007-02-16 01:44:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it kinda depends. my cat (mario) is about 10 lbs too..next time you go to the vet, ask them if that is overweight, or normal. if he is overweight..switch to some healthier food, and play with him some more to make him run around and loose the extra weight.
2007-02-16 02:18:10 · answer #5 · answered by Mariolvr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will sometims depend on what breed your cat is, 10 lbs. isn't bad for an adult. He could weigh anywhere from 9-12 lbs. Soyour cat is fine.
2007-02-16 01:58:19 · answer #6 · answered by raea815 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it all depends on the breed , if the vet did not say anything about your cats weight then he's ok
I have an indoor female tabby who is 14 lbs, my vet said she was a little over weight & to not leave her dry food out all day, only @ night, so far she's ok , but did not loose much weight
2007-02-16 01:42:16 · answer #7 · answered by start 6-22-06 summer time Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our cats usually average 8 to 9 pounds. So at 10, yours should be okay. Watch that you are only feeding him regular dry cat food - no fancy brands, or anything, and canned only occasionally as a treat.
2007-02-16 01:43:52 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depending on the breed, that actually is a pretty good weight. If he's overweight, it isn't by much.
2007-02-16 01:40:59 · answer #9 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋