My 2-year-old, SPAYED* cat has put on about 2 pounds/1 kg over the last couple of months from being indoors for the winter. I've just noticed a couple of swellings on her belly right around where her rearmost pair of nipples are. At first I was frightened but I don't think they're likely to be mammary tumours 'cos they're symmetrical on each side, and soft, not lumpy. (Granted I'm obviously not a vet so I'm just guessing from the instructions for "self breast exams" handed out to human women.)
Just wondering if anyone's seen this kind of thing in their cats when they get chubby. Is this a typical place to accumulate fat? A vet student answering someone else's question called it a "fat pad". "Catboobs"?
Oh and in case anyone wants to go health nut on me, I've started taking her for walks to work the chub off.
2007-12-28 16:20:04 · 4 answers · asked by Xenobiologista 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Edit: This is my first time keeping a cat indoors. I'm in North America now, but I'm from a tropical country where nearly all dogs and cats are "outside" pets...so I wasn't thinking about her getting fat by season. I adopted this one in April '07.
She hates leashes, but she follows me around like a dog when we're outside. It's pretty funny.
2007-12-28 16:32:36 · update #1
Yes, that is the location of the "fat pad", all cats have this to some degree. This is where cats store fat first, kind of like a "beer gut" on us. You may find that it droops lower with each passing year, even if she does not gain weight at all.
2007-12-28 16:24:39 · answer #1 · answered by lizzy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some cats have this pocket of fat that hangs down in front of their back legs. Maybe that is what you are seeing?
Good for you, taking her for walks! Does she actually WALK with you? On a leash? That's very RARE for a cat!
If you are really worried, it might be time for a trip to the vet...
Good luck.
2007-12-29 00:24:44 · answer #2 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as I can remember my female cats have developed these little underbelly wings of flab. But if you notice that there is any hard feeling matter or the cat exhibits fatigue or any other general signs of not feeling like herself its always best to visit the vet just in case.
2007-12-29 00:26:21 · answer #3 · answered by wksalter 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
HELLO Indoors during the winter? It's eating more so it gets fat.
2007-12-29 00:25:46 · answer #4 · answered by Riflegirl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋