Food to fatten up a scrawny one...

**kb2yjx** · 05-30-2008, 08:17 AM

I think I'd start out with a visit to the vet. Your boy may have an underlying medical problem, like hyperthyroid or even kidney disease.Gizmo may have been losing weight all along, but the vomiting just brought that fact out. Then you also will have the opportunity to talk to the vet about what to feed Gizmo. Gizmo is an older fellow, and that is usually the time these problems show up. Good luck and please let us know how things turn out...

**GILL** · 05-30-2008, 10:33 AM

I agree the frist place to start is a vist to the vet. Our Little Bear was very thin ( 6 lb ) and feeding a kitten. Our vet recomended that we start her on kitten food, she is still feeding the kitten but she has also gained 1.5 lb over the last 3 weeks. Her coat is now shinny and soft. The kitten food is high vitamin and high fat. We will be feeding it untill the kitten is weened. I hope to get upto about 9-10 lb.
Again please check with your vet.

**momtomany** · 05-30-2008, 06:59 PM

I agree that you should check with you vet to make sure there are not any underlying problems. It is better to be safe rather than sorry. Please keep us posted.

**columbine** · 05-30-2008, 08:03 PM

It's true - a cat can be thin for so many reasons! Your vet can decode the situation and recommend the right kind of food.

Love, Columbine

**Lorifrances** · 05-30-2008, 10:54 PM

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful replies. I think that only makes sense to let a vet evaluate Gizmo as a cat his age will be prone to diseases like kidney problems etc. I almost wish that when you buy an animal or adopt one, that they would give you a pamphlet on how to take care of your animal beyond the obvious basics. I had another dear cat that was almost humanlike in her ability to sense people's moods and was like a 'referee' whenever one of the other cats were being a bully. Anyhow I didn't realize that she'd dramatically cut back eating and by the time she saw the vet, I was so depressed and stunned to learn there is a certain kind of liver disease where the fat builds up suddenly in that organ when a cat stops eating for even a couple days. (we had to incorporate my brother's three cats for awhile and it threw her for a loop so she'd taken to being super reclusive). Plus the problems with urinary blockages, I had another cat that had that and I thought I was doing fine giving him a good quality dry food and avoiding the so-called more calorie dense wet foods. There are just so many things a new pet owner really should be made aware of.
I'm just glad to have these boards as a resource, too bad I didn't have this back then! Thanks again everyone for your advice and for the interest you took. I didn't expect to find so many replies. I really appreciate it!

**kb2yjx** · 05-31-2008, 01:00 PM

O, yes!! We have had several cats with Hepatic Lipidosis(fatty liver). Unfortunately, Nicholas had it last December, but did not make it. The others did.....Good luck with Gizmo!!! ANd please keep us posted!!!! Is he still vomiting????