Discussion
Our moggy has just had her annual trip to the vets for her vaccinations and check up. It was commented on that she's gotten a little (well, quite a lot really) overweight (she's 5.9Kg, should really be around 4.5kg apparently)
The vet asked what we fed her, and when I said Iams launched into a rant about how it was chock full of sugar and other rubbish and it was no wonder she'd got fat. She claimed that if we stopped feeding her that then the weight would drop off.
Now at this point, I should really have asked what she suggested as an alternative, but sadly I neglected to do this.
So, has anyone got any suggestions for healthy, dry cat food? She won't eat wet food despite numerous attempts.
Thanks.
The vet asked what we fed her, and when I said Iams launched into a rant about how it was chock full of sugar and other rubbish and it was no wonder she'd got fat. She claimed that if we stopped feeding her that then the weight would drop off.
Now at this point, I should really have asked what she suggested as an alternative, but sadly I neglected to do this.
So, has anyone got any suggestions for healthy, dry cat food? She won't eat wet food despite numerous attempts.
Thanks.
I didn't know that IAMS was so bad either (i don't feed this however)
I'm surprised the vet didn't reccomend a diet, or refer you to one of their vet nurses - most vet nurses are well trained in pet diets. i'd ring the practice if i were you and ask if they do free diet advice with their nurses. Also maybe just read the packet of iams to make sure you are not over feeding.
I'm surprised the vet didn't reccomend a diet, or refer you to one of their vet nurses - most vet nurses are well trained in pet diets. i'd ring the practice if i were you and ask if they do free diet advice with their nurses. Also maybe just read the packet of iams to make sure you are not over feeding.
I believe IAMs are very concentrated, so they need much less of it than they do of other biscuits. The problem is that the cats don't know this!
My cat eats IAMs as well as ordinary biscuits and own-brand wet food, and appears to have the right aspect ratio so maybe yours is just a bit greedy? At least, pad out the IAMs with something else, Brekkies or Go-Cat for example.
My cat eats IAMs as well as ordinary biscuits and own-brand wet food, and appears to have the right aspect ratio so maybe yours is just a bit greedy? At least, pad out the IAMs with something else, Brekkies or Go-Cat for example.
How much Iams are you feeding it? Alan started refusing to eat his Whiskers (originally the only thing he'd consider the fussy bugger). So we switched him to iams but massively overfed him before realising he only needs about 45-50 grams a day.
Now we're using the scales to measure his food he's not looking so fat...oops.
Now we're using the scales to measure his food he's not looking so fat...oops.
my cats eat whiskas in jelly, and gocat complete dried food, thats the only things they dont turn thier noses up to! (except chicken, tuna etc)
my girl cat weighted 3lbs in July when we got her from the CPL, she is double that now but still not fat and needs feeding up! (mind you she looks huge at the minute with her winter coat all fluffed up like a pompom
)
my girl cat weighted 3lbs in July when we got her from the CPL, she is double that now but still not fat and needs feeding up! (mind you she looks huge at the minute with her winter coat all fluffed up like a pompom
)This is my speciality area (as a pet weight watchers veterinary nurse) I will reply in more detail but only on a quick break right now.
Most importantly do you measure in grams (or ounces, just not cup size) how much food your cat has every day. What exercise does he do. What treats does he get...include everything (milk, cheese, cat treats, bits of chicken, ham etc)
I would do a half hr free initial consult and find out what would be best for the individual, and that doesn't always mean automatically changing their main food. then follow up with regular (at least monthly chks) Hopefully there'll be a nurse that offers this at your practice, but I'm happy to offer help later if you want.
Most importantly do you measure in grams (or ounces, just not cup size) how much food your cat has every day. What exercise does he do. What treats does he get...include everything (milk, cheese, cat treats, bits of chicken, ham etc)
I would do a half hr free initial consult and find out what would be best for the individual, and that doesn't always mean automatically changing their main food. then follow up with regular (at least monthly chks) Hopefully there'll be a nurse that offers this at your practice, but I'm happy to offer help later if you want.
The vet did mention switching to something simpler, just containing something like lamb and rice. However, looking at the ingredients on all of the foods, they're all chock full of lots of other stuff. In hindsight, I should have pushed for something specific.
At the moment, I just add "some" to her bowl each morning and evening.
Time to get the scales out then. Firstly for her food, and secondly for her. Anyone got any tips for weighing a cat on as set of kitchen or bathroom scales? :lol:
She doesn't have much in the way of treats. Not because I'm a meanie, but because she's such a bloody fussy eater that what you or I would deem a treat, she turns her nose up at. We'd occasionally give her tuna, but she seems to have gone of that at the moment. Possibly because she's being massively overfed?
I'll try to up the exercise as well. She's a house cat (her choice) so doesn't get a massive amount.
Thanks for all the replies.
Munter said:
we switched him to iams but massively overfed him before realising he only needs about 45-50 grams a day.
Now we're using the scales to measure his food he's not looking so fat...oops.
Now we're using the scales to measure his food he's not looking so fat...oops.
bexVN said:
Most importantly do you measure in grams (or ounces, just not cup size) how much food your cat has every day. What exercise does he do. What treats does he get...include everything (milk, cheese, cat treats, bits of chicken, ham etc)
I think this may well be the issue At the moment, I just add "some" to her bowl each morning and evening.
Time to get the scales out then. Firstly for her food, and secondly for her. Anyone got any tips for weighing a cat on as set of kitchen or bathroom scales? :lol:
She doesn't have much in the way of treats. Not because I'm a meanie, but because she's such a bloody fussy eater that what you or I would deem a treat, she turns her nose up at. We'd occasionally give her tuna, but she seems to have gone of that at the moment. Possibly because she's being massively overfed?
I'll try to up the exercise as well. She's a house cat (her choice) so doesn't get a massive amount.
Thanks for all the replies.
Ours is on Hills Science Plan, 40g per day, either the indoor range or the diet range and she also gets half a tin of meat when we get home from work. She's still fat, so we're going to drop the dry food by a further 10g.
Do not go by the guide on the back of the bag, it's inflated by at least 50%.
Do not go by the guide on the back of the bag, it's inflated by at least 50%.
Does he look big?
This is our bruiser Mitch. No idea what he weighs but he is a big unit. Odd thing is he doesnt eat that much. His brother is half the size but eats a lot more. I have a theory that he visits 7 - 8 old ladies who live nearby who all give him a sunday roast.
Yes thats him yawning in the shower tray after having been rudely awaken.
This is our bruiser Mitch. No idea what he weighs but he is a big unit. Odd thing is he doesnt eat that much. His brother is half the size but eats a lot more. I have a theory that he visits 7 - 8 old ladies who live nearby who all give him a sunday roast.
Yes thats him yawning in the shower tray after having been rudely awaken.
Edited by Davey S2 on Friday 6th January 14:49
SlidingSideways said:
I think this may well be the issue
At the moment, I just add "some" to her bowl each morning and evening.
Time to get the scales out then. Firstly for her food, and secondly for her. Anyone got any tips for weighing a cat on as set of kitchen or bathroom scales? :lol:
weigh yourself, then weigh yourself and the cat together At the moment, I just add "some" to her bowl each morning and evening.
Time to get the scales out then. Firstly for her food, and secondly for her. Anyone got any tips for weighing a cat on as set of kitchen or bathroom scales? :lol:
our cat is a bit fat too, a strict diet of 40g of hills science somethingorother food. she doesnt lose any weight and is confined to our apartment (100 m square). Not ideal but we had to move and they don't really 'do' houses here. we don't really know what we can do to get her to lose weight. less than 20g twice a day leads to a very loud cat.
SlidingSideways said:
The vet did mention switching to something simpler, just containing something like lamb and rice. However, looking at the ingredients on all of the foods, they're all chock full of lots of other stuff. In hindsight, I should have pushed for something specific.
This stuff is very good, no added craphttp://www.barkingheads.co.uk/for-cats/
As others have pointed out trying cutting down the daily food intake by approx 25%. Get a measuring cup if you are unsure how much to feed each time.
Simpo Two said:
Just like fat humans, put less in the top end. Fewer calories in = cat loses weight.
Vets will try to sell you vastly expensive 'plan diets', no need IMHO unless your cat has other issues.
Stop bloody tarring us all with the same bloody brush Vets will try to sell you vastly expensive 'plan diets', no need IMHO unless your cat has other issues.
.See my above post, we do not all try and push our diets and when we do it's for a f
kin good reason and they work. I have the cases to prove it. Sorry hate getting bad tempered on here but this really does make me so cross....and fed upitsnotarace said:
This stuff is very good, no added crap
http://www.barkingheads.co.uk/for-cats/
As others have pointed out trying cutting down the daily food intake by approx 25%. Get a measuring cup if you are unsure how much to feed each time.
Free samples as well! I'm tempted to get a sample and see what the tubby one thinks.http://www.barkingheads.co.uk/for-cats/
As others have pointed out trying cutting down the daily food intake by approx 25%. Get a measuring cup if you are unsure how much to feed each time.
SlidingSideways said:
The vet... claimed that if we stopped feeding her that then the weight would drop off.
bexVN said:
This is my speciality area (as a pet weight watchers veterinary nurse)... I would do a half hr free initial consult and find out what would be best for the individual, and that doesn't always mean automatically changing their main food. then follow up with regular (at least monthly chks) Hopefully there'll be a nurse that offers this at your practice
I'm sorry but you can't both be right. The cat is fat. So first off, give it less food.If it still has issues (as I said before) THEN of course take it further. My neighbours have a diabetic cat with weight and eating issues and so wisely they're off the the vets for regular checks and treatment. All fine and dandy. But do the simple obvious things first
5.9kg???? pah! when i first met the other half and was introduced to her 'cat' she was 8kgs!!!!!!! ideal weight for a cat her size is 4kg. She was literally a ball with a face. If you ever read your kids the 'Mog' books that was about her size.
Thankfully she is on a strict diet and has been for 18 months she is now 5.9kgs. The problem with her is that she is happy to laze about the house and never goes out so getting her to be 'active' is a real challenge.
She is on 60g of Hills r/d diet and her last meal is at 6.00pm so she doesn't have much in her to sleep on. She is getting there....slowly.
Thankfully she is on a strict diet and has been for 18 months she is now 5.9kgs. The problem with her is that she is happy to laze about the house and never goes out so getting her to be 'active' is a real challenge.
She is on 60g of Hills r/d diet and her last meal is at 6.00pm so she doesn't have much in her to sleep on. She is getting there....slowly.
Simpo Two said:
SlidingSideways said:
The vet... claimed that if we stopped feeding her that then the weight would drop off.
bexVN said:
This is my speciality area (as a pet weight watchers veterinary nurse)... I would do a half hr free initial consult and find out what would be best for the individual, and that doesn't always mean automatically changing their main food. then follow up with regular (at least monthly chks) Hopefully there'll be a nurse that offers this at your practice
I'm sorry but you can't both be right. The cat is fat. So first off, give it less food.If it still has issues (as I said before) THEN of course take it further. My neighbours have a diabetic cat with weight and eating issues and so wisely they're off the the vets for regular checks and treatment. All fine and dandy. But do the simple obvious things first
Simpo Two said:
SlidingSideways said:
The vet... claimed that if we stopped feeding her that then the weight would drop off.
bexVN said:
This is my speciality area (as a pet weight watchers veterinary nurse)... I would do a half hr free initial consult and find out what would be best for the individual, and that doesn't always mean automatically changing their main food. then follow up with regular (at least monthly chks) Hopefully there'll be a nurse that offers this at your practice
I'm sorry but you can't both be right. The cat is fat. So first off, give it less food.If it still has issues (as I said before) THEN of course take it further. My neighbours have a diabetic cat with weight and eating issues and so wisely they're off the the vets for regular checks and treatment. All fine and dandy. But do the simple obvious things first
Funny, I've just had a very similar conversation with my wife about one of ours. She was weighed at 6.1kg so we know she's a bit porky.
In our defence we have 3 others (who are fine weight wise) and as they have dry food down all the time its a bit hard to restrict food to one and not the others. The kittens (ok they're 2) need the calories I imagine.
Other thing is that this cat has been through alot over the last 2 years, cranial surgery etc, so does tend to be pampered a bit.
Anyway she needs to go on a diet do we will have to sort something out.
Our vet wasn't unduly concerned at her weight but then again she has seen her looking very very poorly and anything is an improvement!
In our defence we have 3 others (who are fine weight wise) and as they have dry food down all the time its a bit hard to restrict food to one and not the others. The kittens (ok they're 2) need the calories I imagine.
Other thing is that this cat has been through alot over the last 2 years, cranial surgery etc, so does tend to be pampered a bit.
Anyway she needs to go on a diet do we will have to sort something out.
Our vet wasn't unduly concerned at her weight but then again she has seen her looking very very poorly and anything is an improvement!
Edited by DKL on Sunday 8th January 22:42
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