Overweight cat. I don't know how to respond to the answers I am getting.?

Question

I want to ask the young man that mentioned that his overweight cat is now at a healthy weight a question............How long did it take for your cat to lose it's weight?

Also, to the lady that mentioned feeding them both weight management food - I do that now. The problem is they both roam freely around the house all day. I work full time. I'm not sure how to set a schedule to feed them.

Thanks to all of your for responding.

Answer 1

The obvious answer is: don't allow your cats to have access to food all day. Some cats can handle it (2 out of my 3), and others don't (my fat Misty cat). We've actually put the food somewhere that Misty doesn't like to go, but she's forced to go there to access it, and only goes when she's hungry. That works for us, because the other two don't over eat. However, since you're at work all day, just feed them twice a day, let them both eat until their full, but monitor how much you're giving them, and begin to taper off the amount that you're giving to the fat one. I'm sure your vet would agree with this.

Answer 2

I fed my portly gentleman cat twice a day. Half in the morning and half at night. That way he wasn't so hungry. The vet said I could also give him vegetables like green beans, but he only liked lettuce and spinach. As I was bringing the groceries in he would steal it out of the bag and run away with it. Mr. Fluffy gained weight because my son had been feeding him when he got home from school because he said Mr. F looked hungry. He weighed 18.4 pounds when we started and 14 pounds 7 months later.

I worked full time, too, and this worked for me. The vet said not to push too aggressively to have the cat lose weight, because that would not be healthy. I used a Science Diet the vet recommended and the quantity the vet recommended.

I also got a kitty tease and played with him, which he enjoyed.

If you notice one cat eating more than the other, you might have to feed them in separate rooms.

Answer 3

It's good you're putting your cat on a diet, but to do more set up a schedule... Since you work all day the cats have free roam of the house and free access to food all day, don't they?? That's the problem, slowly get them accustomed to eating once in the morning when you leave, leave them a small snack for when you're at work, feed them in the evening and then force them to go all night without food; then they'll be more willing to eat all their breakfast and be full a while, while you're at work...

That's how I fed my cat the three years I had her before I gave her up for adoption.

Answer 4

Free feeding is a problem when you have a multiple cat household. Each animal must have a separate dish with only their ration in it - for most cats 1/2 to 3/4 cup per day. I would start feeding in morning only. While the weight management food helps, free feeding is the culprit. Ensure they have adequate water.

I have a similar problem. I have one cat that needs to eat due to hyperthyroidism. Therefore, I free feed. My healthy youngster eats more than she should and is quite big. She is pudgy, but to keep one healthy the other gets fat.

Answer 5

Your cat will rapidly lose weight if you change to only a good soft food. Basically cutting out the carbs. Feeding weight management food is really stupid because it is still filled with carbs, and you should check into the raw diet. You will see the weight just drop off if you switch off all hard food. Read what you are feeding your cat and you will notice where the weight comes from. Go to www.natura.com or www.canidae.com for some excellent food choices.

Answer 6

I have a multi cat household and used to feed my guys from a community dish, until I realized one cat was getting really fat and the other thin. The thing that has worked best for us is for each cat to have their own food dish and to feed them at set times twice a day. The cats are used to the schedule, and the place where I put there food dish. I would suggest if you free feed the cats purchase seperate feeding dishes for them and start feeding them at the same time each day. To get them used to this and for them to understand to eat at said time, take food away after the cat has left it's dish. They will very quickly figure out that it's not there to nibble on later and will finish eating the food set out for them.

Answer 7

You can also buy toys that the cats have to manipulate in order to get food out instead of feeding them in bowls, great way to increase exercise. The Kong company makes some. And you can get feeders with automatic timers to dispense measured meals when you aren't at home.

Answer 8

When I adopted my cat, she was overweight (foster mom liked to free feed, and my cat liked to eat).

Anyways, I put her on Blue Buffalo ''Lite'', and she only gets fed in the morning. She is now at the proper weight for her size.

Answer 9

when you wake up in the morning feed them and when you go to bed feed them. leave the food down for 10-15 mins and then pick it up.

Answer 10

i have never had a cat with an obesity problem. io leave the dry food in a self-feeder and allow the kitties to roam around at will INSIDE the home.
i have ;all kinds of hanging playtoys and balls and catnip toys so kitties play
i limit the amount of wet food --i feel the ribs of my kitties regularly to make sure they are not getting fat. if you can feel ribs without pushing fingers deep into kitty, kitty is ok. if kitty has no longer got legs, kitty is waaaay obese--kitties do not usually become obese---they usually run and play and stay fit.
when my kitties advance in age, i modify diet to accommodate the lower activity level. at one year of age, i feed adult food, etc.......and i only feed wet food to an adult kitty in the evening. 3 ounces, no fillers in the food. it is the fillers that fatten kitty. read your labels and do not worry too hard if you are able to get kitty off the fillers--corn starch, wheat gluten, rice and products thereof.
so--make your home a kitty playground, remove fillers from kitty's diet, play with kitty when you get home from work--chase kitty around the house for a while--good for both of you!!!
have fun watching kitty get into shape!!