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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Chubby Ginger female Cat

42 replies

Mharte88 · 15/04/2020 23:21

My cat is everything to me; she is 4 and a half; since I moved into a new flat (she doesn't go out), I am started to see her weight gain. I managed to slip in biscuits she wasn't keen on, until I made the transfer completely. She went back down, I was so delighted. For some reason I began to think she was too thin and would get ill. So put her on a different but more expensive food she liked. Now I cannot reverse the diet. I have always thought food equals love to her, and also I have cut her right back, so now she bolts her biscuits she is so hungry (every 4 hours under an egg cup full) then is sick. Not every time. Can anyone please help me, as I am worried she is 5 kilos and she somtimes tolls over when she is trying to lick clean her legs or paws? I am so guilt ridden, worried and I cannot lose her I love her so much , its just her and me. Thank you - Molly cat lover. username: Mharte88

OP posts:

Original poster

Mharte88 · 15/04/2020 23:25

ps: when i say food equals love to her, she just sits on my foot when she wants more biscuits, or sits next to her bowl looking really disappointed and sad!! Like I no longer love her.

OP posts:

TheStarryNight · 15/04/2020 23:45

Sometimes cats get very dehydrated on dry food only, so switching to wet food is better for them.

We had a cat that equates food with love. We got a brush so that when he came looking for good we would brush him and often he gave up asking for food because he loved the brush so much. We also used to play with him with a feather toy to distract him.

We also just had to learn how to resist his appeals.

TheStarryNight · 15/04/2020 23:47

Oh and maybe ask for this thread to be moved to “The litter tray” topic. Lots of cat experts there. Just report your first post and ask for it to be moved.

theconstantinoplegardener · 15/04/2020 23:49

Oh dear, it is difficult to resist those soulful eyes isn't it! But you must harden your heart, for your pet's sake. If she really is very overweight, she is at higher risk of developing conditions such as diabetes and some cancers, as well as problems with her joints. Her life may be shorter as a result.

I think the first thing to do is establish if she really is overweight or not. Looking down on her from above, she should go in at the waist. If she curves out, it sounds like she may be carrying too much weight (I assume there's no chance she could be pregnant). Perhaps your vet could recommend a "light" brand of biscuits. Feeding a four-year-old cat every four hours sounds quite a lot. I wonder if two meals of wet food per day would keep her full for longer, with a separate bowl of biscuits to snack on. Could you get her some table tennis balls to chase, so she gets more exercise?

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 16/04/2020 09:12

We're moving this over to the litter tray for you now, OP.

Allergictoironing · 16/04/2020 09:57

Many of the better makes of food do a special indoor version designed for cats who have less exercise than those who go out (mine have this as indoor kitties) and/or do an appetite control version. I am very lucky in that mine aren't greedy for food (treats are a different matter!) so self-regulate & can have dry down ad lib.

Also check what treats you are giving her. Dreamies for example are pretty high on the calories and the packet recommends a maximum of 20 pieces in a day. 2 Dreamies 5 times a day would be more appreciated by the cat than 10 or more Dreamies once a day.

Maybe you could consider getting her checked over by the vet? I know that costs money, but they could check whether she really IS overweight and possibly recommend a good diet for her.

Want2beme · 16/04/2020 10:51

Sounds like good advice here OP. Don't deprive her of food, but maybe get a specific food for indoor cats from your vet. Does she drink water? If not, then she needs wet food as part of her diet to save her becoming dehydrated. Try not to worry. It's all about trying different ways to get them to eat properly. Does she have access to grass to help with digestion? And toys for excersice? Do ask your vet for their advice.

Windyatthebeach · 16/04/2020 10:55

Without a pic some of us probably don't believe you even have a ginger dcat op...

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/04/2020 12:48

Does she get much play time?

Gingerkittykat · 16/04/2020 12:57

A slow feeder bowl might help as she won't be able to gobble her food down.

It might be worth changing brand to help with the sickness too.

I managed to get my fat boy to slim down by being really strict with portion sizes and not giving in to the meows. It does like she is too fat if she is struggling to groom herself.

Gingerkittykat · 16/04/2020 12:57

Oh, and a pic will also help us to see if we think she is a chubster or not!

Original poster

Mharte88 · 17/04/2020 19:34

Thank you all for your help. To the person who doesn't believe I have a cat without a picture, surely you can work out I would not go to all the trouble of appealing for help for her, if she didn't exist? Can anyone tell as I am new, when you get an answer how do you respond to that person. I have put my username as I imagined that would be helpful. I can then reply individually rather than this block msg. Thank you also for the tip to move it to litter tray, I wouldn't have ever thought of that; it seems as though Mumsnet has already done that for me. I haven't posted a picture of her as it is rather depressing how she has gained weight, but just look up any ginger cat pictures that are a bit overweight you will get the idea!! Once she loses the weight then of course I will happily post a picture of her, as she is a very pretty cat. Thank you to the person who mentioned the brush idea; as this has really worked, like children its better to divert their attention as opposed to getting upset. I am not sure how much she understand's about what I am trying to achieve? She came from a litter of 5 boy ginger toms she was the only girl; it has occurred to me she didn't get much of a look in food wise, but surely she would have forgotten that? Anyway I am keeping her on dry food, I have had cats for a very long time and see no real reason to change, being in a flat and her being an indoor cat - wet food can be very smelly both when eaten and when got rid of in the litter tray. She is on Lily's Kitchem costing $11.per 800 gram bag. Sorry that is pounds sterling my keyboard does not have the pounds sign!!! I was surprised that 3 half an egg cup full of biscuits a day is too much? I am getting my scales out and continuing to use this method of diverting her attention. Also buying a larger scratch post with more levels she can jump on; I play with her a feather toy on a wand which drives her mental, so for now I think I have covered all aspects. Photo will be posted as soon as I can see she is back to 3 to 4 kilos :)

OP posts:

AwkwardPaws27 · 17/04/2020 19:40

If she is bolting her food too fast and then vomiting up the undigested food, try a "gobble stop" bowl - like this www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_bowls_feeders/plastic/slow_feed_cat_bowls/195568

They have raised sections so it takes the cat longer to eat the food, meaning they have to eat more slowly.

You should weigh her food (it's surprising how much what looks like the same amount in a container can vary, depending on how the kibble is sitting) and aim for slow steady weight loss.

Windyatthebeach · 17/04/2020 19:40

Before and after pics would be great!
May spur some humans on also..
Imo.
.

Toddlerteaplease · 17/04/2020 20:47

OP, the not believing there isa car until shown a picture is a litter tray joke. All posts must be accompanied by pictures of cats!

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/04/2020 20:48

If you want to respond to another mumsnetter press @ and a list of who’s on the thread comes up and you click on the right name.

We just like seeing cute cats so we demand photos but it’s just a joke.

Gingers & tabbies do tend to be on the large size. It’s not an absolute rule but you see more well-padded cats with that coat colour than torties & black & white cats.

Has the vet commented on her weight at all?. Ours was 6.8kg Bengal boy but he was pure muscle.

There’s a lot of toys on zooplus they can play with when your not there. They do get bored of the same toys so rotating them can help.

Veterinari · 17/04/2020 20:53

OP you need to slow her feeding to stop the vomiting - use puzzle feeders or 'no-bowl' feeders

Also you need to move away from the food=love mentality.

What else do you do with her? Do you use laser pointers or fishing toys?
You need to increase her activity and slow her feeding by using puzzle feeders (which will also occupy her )

iklboo · 17/04/2020 20:56

@Mharte88 - don't worry. It's a running joke that all cat threads must contain a photo of said cat so we can all coo and squeee over it. The poster wasn't having a go at you. We're lovely people on here really ☺️

Windyatthebeach · 17/04/2020 21:06

Sorry op no offense meant. A dcat pic cheers up the coldest mner's heart!!

WatcherintheRye · 17/04/2020 21:32

For the sole purpose of posting a pic of my cat comparison, here's my ginger cat, who is big boned

drspouse · 17/04/2020 21:37

Ginger females are unusual I believe so we'd really love to see her!

iklboo · 17/04/2020 22:09

@WatcherintheRye - she is GORGEOUS

Original poster

Mharte88 · 17/04/2020 23:56

Where does it say all messages must be accompanied by a photo of cats?

OP posts:

BrazenBrat · 18/04/2020 00:13

It's just a long standing joke amongst us long time members on the Mumsnet forum! You know, a kind of "we absolutely love all cats and you simply MUST share your photos of your gorgeous fur babies at any given opportunity so that we can all ooh and ahh over them!" type of thing. In good humour, that's all.

Gingerkittykat · 18/04/2020 03:45

It's not in the formal rules that you need to post a picture of cats, it's just that people there love to see them. We will still find a fat cat adorable, no need to wait till she is thin to post her pic.

I don't want to sound like I'm pressurising you to post a pic btw.

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