to die while I am at work. Any encouraging words .... I know I need patience!!
2007-09-27 09:03:27 · 5 answers · asked by beccat10 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Just get her on a diet, asap. She may have many more good years in her!
In a nutshell, most cats are fat because they've been fed too much (free-feeding or indulging them) and because they're fed dry food which is NOT appropriate food for them due to the grain/carb/sugar content. Cats are obligate carnivores who need to eat a high meat-based protein diet, which is also high in fats and low in carbs.
Many vets, who are sadly ignorant on the topic of proper cat nutrition, will recommend prescription diet foods (usually dry). Cats are expected to lose weight on a starvation diet of 1/4 or 1/3 cup of food per day. Everyone is miserable in these situations.
The solution is to switch the fat cat (and any others in the household as well) to a good quality canned food. Because these foods are species appropriate, the cat will lose weight at a safe, slow pace (no more than 1 pound per month). Switching foods needs to occur slowly, and if you're trying to get a kibble junkie to eat canned food, that will happen naturally.
That's it. Easy as pie. Not only will fat cats lose weight, but it and any others in the home will reap many benefits of eating a speciies appropriate diet.
See the links below for detailed information on this topic.
2007-09-27 10:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a bit of background, my 18-pound kitty recently went into diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. Diabetes is always a real threat to fat cats, so my advice is to do what you can to get the weight off of her. As to HOW to do that, well, I'm just learning myself.
As far as diabetes, if she drinks way more than you expect and then pees A LOT she's probably getting diabetes. If you EVER smell a fruity nail-polish-remover smell on her breath, she needs IMMEDIATE care as this is the sign of the beginnings of diabetic ketoacidosis...this may be your first clue she's diabetic, and that she's in real crisis. This goes for people, too.
The other thing to watch out for with big kitties is loss of appetite. If something upsets a fat kitty such as an otherwise minor illness and she stops eating for 2 days, get her to the vet immediately because she can develop a very serious condition called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. This comes from cats' carnivorous nature. They can convert fat to glucose to fuel cell activity in the absence of food...but an especially fat kitty can overwhelm its bloodstream and liver with lipids.
Work on her weight. Don't feed her too much, and pay attention to her eating, bowel movements (obstipation and constipation are problems too for fat cats....lots of Laxatone is a good thing) and her drinking / urination. Give her love, care, and attention and she'll do fine for years to come.
2007-09-27 17:05:18 · answer #2 · answered by strangefrogg 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband's cat is 14 and the vet said that she has another 7 years left in her at least. Plus cats generally start acting weird before they die, loss of appetitie.
2007-09-27 16:25:12 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda I 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oops,sorry I didn't read the whole question,um..I would say to put her on a diet,if you aren't sure WHAT to cut down on for feeding her,go to your vet,surely he/she will know what will be the BEST diet for her! :)
2007-09-27 16:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is in good health then you don't have to worry. Just give her alot of love while you are at home, and she will know she is loved.
2007-09-27 16:13:34 · answer #5 · answered by LIPPIE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋