Overweight cat - ideas?

[emily_the_spoiled]

I have converted all my guys over to a wet food only diet (because one of them gets REALLY sick on the dry food), but they all seem to be a healthier weight now and they only eat twice a day.

[Randi]

My vet recommended Hills W/D when Fister was getting a bit plumb, that helped him lose weight. I now mix it half/half with S/D dry. There are several other good products, but ask your vet.

You also have to avoid them getting UTI's, Hills C/D is supposed to prevent that.

Good luck finding the right diet for them.

[Catty1]

I use 1/2 and 1/2 raw kibble and Royal Canin SO for urinary health. The raw kibble is ALL protein, so it is better.

My vet says videos show that cats gorge at night, so I take the bowls up for the night.

But if Pansy is a food thief, taking the dishes up between meals and at night sounds like a great idea!

[Catlady711]

If you want to know if your cat is overweight THIS is a site that has a diagram of cat shapes from thin to obese as a general guide.

I feed my kitties dry food 4 times a day. Some are allowed to eat until they walk away then I pick up the bowls, others have measured out food and when the bowl is empty I pick it up and guard the other bowls so they don't get more. I feed about 1 tbs of wet food in the morning only, mostly because Jack (and previously Dusty) require special medicine in the food and wet is the easiest way to give it. I give the wet to the others to keep them occupied so the one with the medicine can eat in peace.

A pet fountain really does help to get a cat to drink more water, which would help some with preventing UTI's.

Cutting back a bit on the food and feeding more often helps cats from feeling as hungry. More exercize helps. And you don't want them to loose too much weight too fast, a gradual reduction in food and more play time should get the results you and your vet want.

BTW: some cats are just prone to underbelly 'dingle-dangle'. I know several cats, and have a couple myself that have the 'dingle-dangle' and have NEVER been fat a day in their lives, seems to be genetic.