Overweight Cat

[Soledad]

I'm wondering if I should take my cat in to the vet to see about his weight. We don't overfeed him at all, and he's generally active around the house and occasionally outdoors. The thing is, while he's relatively small in height and length, he has a large belly. Since he eats far less than other cats I know, I'm curious to know if there could be any health reasons as to why he's a bit of a pudge. Any ideas?

[jenluckenbach]

To be honest, this is the type of thing that I would ask the vet when you go in for the yearly check up. Not somethinjg I would make a special trip for. That is assuming he is healthy in all other aspects. I am sure that there are some medical conditions that could cause this, but if he stays at a condstant weight, not gaining, and is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping normally with no vomitin or pain to be noticed I would not woory. I would just ask as a routine question at a time when you are going in to the vet anyway.
Just one person's opinion

[Randi]

I agree with jenluckenbach, but watch him carefully! Perhaps you could ring the vet and ask about this. How old id he? Have you got a picture of him?

[Karen]

Being obese is not healthy for a cat, and can contribute to all sorts of problems lomg-term. I think a nice, inbformative trip to the vet is in order, and maybe diet kitty food if the vet reccomends it!

[AmberLee]

My 2 cents worth? I'd try to increase his exercise/play time too and see if this helps. Fortunately a little exercise seems to go a long way for a cat... Good luck and keep us posted as to the vet's comments.

[Cataholic]

I am with the rest of the bunch...and I struggle with overweight issues, too (not me so much, but the herd ). I would up the exercise..in fact, a kitten would be a purrfect workout partner! Diet or less calorie food is the way to go..but, if they are like mine, they just eat more of it......I would ask the vet the next time you go in, unless it is like, 10 months from now...

[Soledad]

Thanks, guys. Boo isn't very, very large...but he is pudgy. He's only around 11 months old, so he's still on kitty food. In a month or so, I'll try to go to diet food if the vet says it's okay. He plays outdoors for at least a few hours each day and we do play with him. We feed him very little compared to what our other friends with cats do, so I was wondering if anyone knows what health conditions (if any) this could be related to? He was also neutered quite young (before ten weeks) and am wondering if that has anything to do with it.

I don't have any pictures online just yet, but will work on it. Prepare yourselves, though. His cuteness is nearly blinding.

[AmberLee]

Originally posted by Soledad
...Prepare yourselves, though. His cuteness is nearly blinding.

Dark glasses ready! Oh boy, sounds like a great test.

[jenluckenbach]

Originally posted by Soledad
Thanks, guys. Boo isn't very, very large...but he is pudgy. He's only around 11 months old, so he's still on kitty food......... so I was wondering if anyone knows what health conditions (if any) this could be related to?

He can probably be changed to an adult food. The kitten food will be higher in calories, so it could be that. I wouldn't worry yourself with the "what ifs" you'll go crazy. But if you must, the first thing that always comes to mind with weight, is thyroid. Actually, how much does he weigh?

[krazyaboutkatz]

I would call the vet to ask him about changing your cats food to a light formula. Some cats just have slower metabolisms than others. My cat Pepper is about 17lbs and he's about 3lbs overweight but he's a lazier cat than my other two. If you have not been to the vet in a while then maybe you should make an appointment for a physical and then you can discuss his weight. Good luck. I also look forward to seeing his pics.

[toughCookie]

I agree with Karen, I think you should take him to the vet. a big tummy can mean worms sometimes. and if it is just being overweight,t hats not good either, you should have the vet look at him.

[The Cat Factory]

Here's a weight chart I found...

[Soledad]

Boo is definitely in the last column of that chart. Thanks for that! I'll try to post a pic sometime this week in this thread. But remember, you were warned. BTW - Boo weighs about eight to nine pounds, which I know is not technically too much but he is a small guy.

[toughCookie]

where did you find that? thats great...Patches is definately overweight, though I knew it already. the others are all normal, except Gypsy is underweight but she will gain in time.
thanks for posting the chart!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Ooops, guess Tubby is overweight. But then again, if he wasn't, he wouldn't be called Tubby now would he.

Seriously though, that is a great picture. But even when Tubby was more svelte, he still had that little tummy hanging down. I thought I heard somewhere this was a common thing with cats that had been neutered. Anybody know if this is true? Or is it just that cats that have been neutered are less active so they tend to gain a little weight?