Anyone ever deal with this?

[pnance]

I have a ~ 10 year old indoor female cat. She was a stray originally and has never been the friendliest cat. The problem is she's overweight and I've started restricting her food (not leaving it out all day) to get her to a more normal weight. Now I feed twice a day, and keep it to the exact amount recommended. Ever since I started this she's become really aggressive. She'll stand in front of where her food bowl is and just meow at me. If I don't feed her she'll get mad and if you walk into the room she'll hiss and don't even think about touching her. Last night she jumped at one of my dogs and grabbed him around the leg when he was just walking by. No damage, when he turned to look at her she let go and took off. He outweighs her by a good 60 lbs. I'm terrified it's going to get worse. She healthy other than her thyroid is a little on the high side, but the vet said we'd just keep an eye on it, not high enough to warrent meds yet. I know being overweight isn't healthy for them, but if the choice is overweight or an aggressive cat??

[tvt]

Does your cat seem to be affected from the extra weight? My cat is overweight but she still plays and carries on like a kitten, although she is 5 years old. If your cat isn't slowed down by the weight, let her keep eating, I suggest.

[RedHedd]

How long have you been doing the new feeding schedule? It does take a week or two for them to get used to it. My two weren't happy when I had to change them from free-feeding, but after a couple of weeks they did learn. Because of Mishi's illness, we're back to free-feeding, but I've found that even though she's now allowed to free-feed, the little rotund Mitzi doesn't eat all day like she used to.

Other than patience, sorry I can't be more helpful.

[sandragonfly]

hi pnance

sorry you're feeling this frustration. maybe you can consider this, my suggesion...it requires a lot of extreme patience.

from free-feed, "how much does she usually eat each a day" amount, reduce about a half cup every other day and so on..until the exact amount you've tried before.

or this second suggestion, just hand out the exact amount like you did and be firm, tough. pretend you don't hear her meows or see her faces. but do pet, give a plenty of attention (out of kitchen/a room away from kitchen definitely where she eats her meals). maybe to reinforce her more, give two treats after her meal every other day to 2 times a week and so on....so she'd not demand.

afterall with long progress, I believe she should be fine. hopefully time goes fast and by a few months, she's not over-weight as you wished. lucks sent on whatever you do!

[pnance]

Thanks everyone,

According to the vet she needs to drop a few pounds, she's gotten really lazy and won't really move around which isn't helping. I've been trying this for about a month, but I confess I hadn't tried changing gradually, I just switched, it was easier since I had to start seperating my cats, or she'd eat both bowls of food. I'll start back at the beginning and gradually switch, hopefully she'll take to that a little better.

Thanks!!!

[hellokitty]

I've had cats that have dealt with weight issues also. I really like Iam's weight management cat food. It helped my cats!

[GraciesMommy]

I get agressive when I am on a diet too..lol