Help! My cat is obese.

[crg]

A leash is a great idea, thanks Karen! I love to go for walks, and he always enjoyed going out into the yard when we lived in the city. We're out in the country now, so I don't let him outside at all - too many things around that would love to have him for dinner - but on a leash it would be safe and fun. I could get the kitten involved too and train her while she's still young.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that you'll be able to find something that will work for Stewie. Both of your cats sure are gorgeous and they do remind me of my Storm and Pearl. You should go over to cat general and post some more pictures of them. We all love seeing pictures here.

[crg]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate all the great ideas! And Stewie appreciates them, too, even though he doesn't know it.

I will head over and post some photos! Thank you for the nice comments!

[critters]

My boy Koi came fat, worse for him since he's a spinal cord injured fella. He's getting a lot more exercise than he was, but he's still fat. We feel your pain!!

[LionHart]

We encourage the other cats to 'play chase' Munchie, and he loves it! They rip snort around, take a flying leap to one of the cat trees and down again. He's moving and that's what counts.

[kittykatharine]

Do you know what breed your baby may be? I was told by my vet that different breeds are allowed to weigh more - due to the larger frame (i.e. cats with Maine Coon in their genes). Also, the Innovo is a great food for your kitty (if he will eat it). My cats loved it a great deal. Let us know if he looses any weight!

[crg]

Thanks everyone for your ideas and comments!

I am not sure what breed Stewie is, other than Heinz 57. His coat has some characteristics of a Russian Blue (that thick shimmery silver coat), but his brother was solid black and sleek. Both he and his brother are big guys - tall, with large heads and paws. But he is definitely overweight, even for a large cat.

With the new kitten, he is getting more exercise. We discovered, though, that he has been sneaking her (much more calorie-dense) kitten food. So we've put her food up high so that he will be less likely to eat it (and if he does eat it, at least he'll have to jump up to get onto the ledge where it is). I'm hoping that will help. Of course, I suspect that she is sneaking his food, too, so we've got to get the food sorted out so everyone's eating their own.

As soon as I get a chance to go to the pet store, I am going to see about getting the Innova and a leash. If we switch to the Innova, do you think there is a problem with feeding Stewie and the kitten the same variety? She is about 12 weeks old. He is about 5 years.

I'll keep you updated. And thanks again for all of your interest and help!!