Some Advice Needed

**Anikaca77** · 05-25-2007, 10:57 AM

Hi,

As most of you know I have 5 sweet kitties.

My one baby who will be 5 yrs. seems to have problems now jumping onto of counters. She does not meow in pain; it just seems to take her a few tries to get her ready to jump.

She is the only one who is really overweight and I'd like to get her down in weight thinking that would help. She had a lot of issues when I first got her from the SPCA. She was sick with a cold, her ears were dirty, and she had consistent loose stools and I took her to the vets over and over again and we finally found out she need to eat special cat food (Hills I/D Formula Special Diet) and after a few years of that I switched her back to Purina Cat Chow Indoor Formula and she seems fine on that.

My husband and I are trying to take their food away at night time and put it out only during the day.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Melissa

**moosmom** · 05-25-2007, 11:02 AM

Is she declawed?? If she is, she may very well have arthritis in her paws.

Picking the food up at night is a good idea. Also put away any trash cans as they WILL go looking.

Is there a "light" formula of the I/D you're feeding him now? If so that might be another compromise. It's very hard to feed special food to one cat when you've got multiples. I know, I've got 5!!

Good luck!

**mruffruff** · 05-25-2007, 11:22 AM

Don't leave the food out all night, either. Give them a set amount of time like a half hour and then pick up the food. I do this in the morning and at night. All but one of my cats stay in their room while I work. The only fat cat is the one who has food available all day. He can barely get up on the dryer to eat. Time to limit his accessibility, too.

**Freedom** · 05-25-2007, 11:39 AM

What was the question? You are complaining because she CAN'T get up on the counters?

Oh, you are asking how to help her lose weight! You REALLY had me there for a moment!

**Pawla** · 05-25-2007, 11:55 AM

I'm not sure about the whole food thing. My Himalayan weighed 6.5 lbs, and my tabby weighs 11lbs. Food was/is always available when wanted. My boyfriend has two cats. He gives them 3/4 of a cup per day between the two of them, with an occasional treat of Fancy Feast. One weighs 16 lbs, the other about 18 lbs. As far as the counter thing goes, mine has done that within the last couple of years. The vet said it happens suddenly. One day they can get on the counter, the next they can't. I just lift her up there for her treats!

**catmandu** · 05-25-2007, 06:48 PM

Getting A Cat To Lose Weight Is Not Easy.
Scrappy 2s Getting A Little Heavy And Its My Fault As She Was This Tiny Thin Stray Who Had Lsot Her Kitten And I Have Spoilt Her Rotten.
And Shes At The Point Where She Ignores Her Cat Food As I Get Something Very Nice Delivered Every Day And She Knows Taht She Will Get Her Share.
I Am Going To Have To Use A Little Tough Love.
And You May Wants As Some Have Said Not To Have Food Out All The Time.
I Find Taht That Encourages Some To Overeat , Some To Under Eat.
Good Luck With Your Dear Companion.
It Must Hurt You As Much As Her To Hear Her In Pain.

**Anikaca77** · 05-26-2007, 09:19 AM

I know it seems like I was complaining but really I was not trying to seem like that.....she likes to sit on the bathroom sink especially while I'm in there doing something and it's hard watching her try to jump up...it takes her a few times but she eventually can do it. My kitties aren't allowed on the kitchen counters or table but I usually let them craw up on my dresser and stuff.

Originally Posted by Freedom

What was the question? You are complaining because she CAN'T get up on the counters?

Oh, you are asking how to help her lose weight! You REALLY had me there for a moment!

**Anikaca77** · 05-26-2007, 09:28 AM

No she is not declawed. I don't think there is a light formula of the I/D. I'm not feeding her that brand anymore. When Claudia got older she was able to handle eating Purina Cat Chow Indoor Formula.

I checked with the vet and she said there is a diet food I can buy them it's $10 for a small bag but I know I can get coupons from the company I just don't want to put everyone else on a diet when the others are okay with the weight. But I will do it if necessary.

I don't feed them any can food but thank you for that idea.

Originally Posted by moosmom

Is she declawed?? If she is, she may very well have arthritis in her paws.

Picking the food up at night is a good idea. Also put away any trash cans as they WILL go looking.

Is there a "light" formula of the I/D you're feeding him now? If so that might be another compromise. It's very hard to feed special food to one cat when you've got multiples. I know, I've got 5!!

Good luck!

**caffeitina** · 05-26-2007, 11:21 AM

Hmmm...sounds like the diet is a good idea. Too bad they don't make a Weight Watchers program for pets. I hope the diet goes well for your kitty. As for the other four..... Might not be a bad idea to give them all a lower-cal, lower-fat diet just for health reasons. Then you wouldn't have to worry about who is eating whos food.

Just an idea.