Overweight Cat needs new food

Hello, if anyone can help me with recommendations for non-fat food to diet an overweight 6 year old cat, I would be grateful. I'm feeding her with an all protein food from Evo thinking she would lose weight but she's not. She's drinking alot and peeing alot. Has anyone had any luck bringing down a cat's weight with food? She lives in a small apartment with me so there is limited space to run around. I'm even thinking of getting another cat for her but I'm frightened I'll have two fat cats soon enough. Please advise. Thanks, bluey.

You say she is drinking and peeing a lot. First thing you need to do is get her checked by a vet. She could very well be diabetic. Once you rule out medical problems I would suggest talking to your vet about a diet for your cat. If you are free feeding her that will have to stop and she will need to be put on a strustured feeding schedule. She will behave like you are starving her to death for awhile but it is only habitual from having food whenever she wanted. Another cat is not a bad idea but be warned they will not be fast friends in most cases. She is 6 years old and is used to being an only cat so bringing another into her territory will take a little getting used to and some time. Again check everything out with your vet first to rule out a medical issue and then ask advice.

I am sure you will get lots of other suggestions and advice here too. Please keep us updated and good luck to you both.


Michelle

Thanks Michelle.
She has one cup of Evo a day and thats it. She's long been off the endless food thing which my vet told me would be fine to do. Oscar drinks alot and pees alot because Evo food has mostly protein in it. I read on the packaging that it would make her drink more and it does. I don't think she has other serious health issues. I just want her to loose weight and be healthy.
I'll look around on the internet and do some research towards getting another type of food for her.

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Originally Posted by bluey

Thanks Michelle.
She has one cup of Evo a day and thats it. She's long been off the endless food thing which my vet told me would be fine to do. Oscar drinks alot and pees alot because Evo food has mostly protein in it. I read on the packaging that it would make her drink more and it does. I don't think she has other serious health issues. I just want her to loose weight and be healthy.
I'll look around on the internet and do some research towards getting another type of food for her.

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I suggest giving this food a try. http://www.royalcanin.com/produits/gb_chat_light.asp
I am a strong believer in Royal Canin. IMO it is one of the best and most effective foods on the market. You can even give your vet a call and ask about it. They should do a phone consult without charge.

Thanks again Michelle. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'll check out that brand and post later regarding the results.

I'm also currently feeding my cats Innova Evo. They don't need to eat much because it has a lot of calories and it's very high in protein as you stated before. It sounds like you may be feeding Oscar too much food. Mine barely eat 1/2 cup per day and sometimes a bit less than that. I think I'd try giving him less food before changing his diet. Good luck.:)

I just looked this food up and it has 612k/cal per cup. Most cats only need around 300 calories and some do well on even less. I bet that this is the reason why Ocsar's been gaining weight.:)

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Originally Posted by krazyaboutkatz

I'm also currently feeding my cats Innova Evo. They don't need to eat much because it has a lot of calories and it's very high in protein as you stated before. It sounds like you may be feeding Oscar too much food. Mine barely eat 1/2 cup per day and sometimes a bit less than that. I think I'd try giving him less food before changing his diet. Good luck.:)

I just looked this food up and it has 612k/cal per cup. Most cats only need around 300 calories and some do well on even less. I bet that this is the reason why Ocsar's been gaining weight.:)

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Tracey, I never even thought that the amount was too much. 1 cup doesn't seem like a lot but if it is above their nutriental needs then that can very well be the problem. Good call. :)

Bluey - just to be on the safe side, call your vet and just report the amount of drinking and peeing. It can be caused by certain foods, yes, but a phone call is free, I would think, for a quick consult. :)

If you change or reduce the food and the drinking and peeing doesn't change, please get it checked out.

Thanks for the suggestion. I did look at the cup size of the portion I've been feeding her and its actually half a cup exactly so I'm going to reduce that a little. She sleeps all day, doesn't have alot of room to run around and is overweight so I feel very guilty that I'm not doing enough for her. I'm away alot so there isn't alot of stimulation for her. I think its a mixture of things but I also think it might help to change her food (again!). I hate doing that.

If you want to keep feeding her the Innova brand, they do make a lighter version that would have fewer calories in it. Good luck.:)