Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

My cat is fat

201 replies

Monchhichi · 27/12/2022 16:36

My 6 year old cat went missing for three weeks in June this year, when he returned he was skinny, matted and full of fleas and ticks. He has always been an active outdoor cat, but since his return he just isn't interested in going out anymore, he just snuggles on the sofa asleep all day.

We feed him the same as before he went missing, one pouch of wet food a day plus a scoop of biscuits (he is a large Siberian). I've tried getting some toys to encourage exercise but no luck so far, he merely lazily swipes a paw if they're within reach.

Any suggestions for toys your cats have enjoyed?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
31
Techno56 · 27/12/2022 16:42

It won't make enough of a difference, if you want him to lose weight you will need to feed him less.

Vet nurse free clinics can give good advice on this (mine is currently on a diet)

Techno56 · 27/12/2022 16:42

My cat is on a diet not my vet nurse...😅

Original poster
Monchhichi · 27/12/2022 16:43

Yes, I think you might be right, he won't be happy 😬

OP posts:
Plump82 · 27/12/2022 16:48

My old cat went to fat cat classes. We did manage to get her weight down but it was hard work. I rehomed her and she was massive when I got her. What I would say is her weight caused her loads of health problems and was ultimately why we had to have her put to sleep so please try and get yours back to an acceptable weight. I'm so strict with my current cats and what they eat.

LateMumma · 27/12/2022 16:50

Our cat became fat as she got older, we got her down to healthy weight by cutting out biscuits. Something to do with the carb content in them and cats not needing carbs

Tannedandfake · 27/12/2022 16:56

Techno56 · 27/12/2022 16:42

My cat is on a diet not my vet nurse...😅

🤣🤣🤣

DuplicateUserName · 27/12/2022 16:58

Are you sure it doesn't have worms?

They can make cats look alarmingly fat.

RandomMess · 27/12/2022 17:05

Health check. Use a high meat brand content brand (they don't need much so isn't massively expensive).

Use feeders that mean they have to work for their food.

Cut out the pouch, the crap in most cat food is not good for them.

Original poster
Monchhichi · 27/12/2022 17:15

Thanks all, think I'll book him in for a vet check. Not worms, I worm and flea treat him regularly but it's a big squishy tummy he has, not the big bloated tummy they get with worms.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 27/12/2022 17:22

I give mine orijens kibble which is 85% meat, Eden is similar and there are a few other ones.

Summer2424 · 27/12/2022 17:30

Hi @Monchhichi try toys with catnip in them, my cat goes crazy active when we buy her a catnip toy. You can get them from any supermarket. 🐱

Original poster
Monchhichi · 27/12/2022 17:33

Summer2424 · 27/12/2022 17:30

Hi @Monchhichi try toys with catnip in them, my cat goes crazy active when we buy her a catnip toy. You can get them from any supermarket. 🐱

We've tried catnip, he's only interested if you actually put the toy on top of him, he'll then sort of cuddle it for a few minutes before giving up 🤦🏽‍♀️ he has become seriously lazy! Prior to his disappearance you could vet him to chase catnip toys around the house like a crazy thing!

OP posts:
Summer2424 · 27/12/2022 17:37

@Monchhichi awww no 😬, how about a scratching post with catnip on it 🐱

Original poster
Monchhichi · 27/12/2022 17:48

Summer2424 · 27/12/2022 17:37

@Monchhichi awww no 😬, how about a scratching post with catnip on it 🐱

That's a good idea! He does like his scratching post

OP posts:
MrsBrandonspiano · 27/12/2022 17:50

Can we see a picture of him?

idril · 27/12/2022 17:57

A complete change in behaviour does sound a bit strange so definitely get him a health check. He might have picked something up when he was missing.

If he gets a clear bill of health, you just have to control their food. We got a rescue cat who got very overweight because I'd never had a cat before who ate more than then needed so it was a complete revelation to me that such cats existed! He used to be a stray so I think he thought that every meal might be his last and I just fed him when he asked as I did my previous cats. I do wonder if there is something like this going on with your cat in that he is traumatised by going missing and worries it might happen again and that might also explain him never going out.

It look a while for my cat to start being satisfied with a normal amount of food but you just have to harden yourself for their own good.

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 18:01

I’m intrigued about fat cat classes 🤔

My cat is fat
Joopy · 27/12/2022 18:11

My fat cat is on satiety cat food which is pricey. He has a monthly weigh in with the vet nurse (free) who checks he's losing the right amount and alters the amount of food he has each month if necessary. It's slow but we're making progress.

Plump82 · 27/12/2022 18:18

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 18:01

I’m intrigued about fat cat classes 🤔

My old vets ran them weekly and it was basically weight watchers for cats!

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 18:28

@Plump82 aaaaaaw 😻

Blondeissimo · 27/12/2022 18:38

I have a large chunky cat who attends a kitty fat club at the vets. He eats satiety food which means he still gets volume of food (he's obsessed with the volume of food and will turn his nose up at small portions) but the calories are lower. So, a large looking portion has fewer calories than a 'normal' dry food. It's working well for him.

AintNobodyHereButUsKittens · 27/12/2022 18:40

I've got a fat cat: New Year's resolution is to get him on a diet.

Does anyone have any top tips for how to manage this if you've got two cats, one who is overweight, obsessed with food and can hear the rattle of a kibble packet from three floors away, and one who is a healthy weight and can totally take or leave food. How do we make sure cat B gets food without cat A scoffing it all as well as his own?

Techno56 · 27/12/2022 21:27

AintNobodyHereButUsKittens · 27/12/2022 18:40

I've got a fat cat: New Year's resolution is to get him on a diet.

Does anyone have any top tips for how to manage this if you've got two cats, one who is overweight, obsessed with food and can hear the rattle of a kibble packet from three floors away, and one who is a healthy weight and can totally take or leave food. How do we make sure cat B gets food without cat A scoffing it all as well as his own?

The only way is to get a feeder that opens in response to their microchip or a tag on their collar. We used one to stop my fat, greedy cat eating my very old skinny cats special diet before he died.

My chubby boy was absolutely furious about it and turned it over many times but never managed to get it to open (unlike the bin, oven and microwave...🤣)

HamSandwichKiller · 27/12/2022 21:42

Picture of chonk please 🙏

GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia · 27/12/2022 21:58

Techno56 · 27/12/2022 21:27

The only way is to get a feeder that opens in response to their microchip or a tag on their collar. We used one to stop my fat, greedy cat eating my very old skinny cats special diet before he died.

My chubby boy was absolutely furious about it and turned it over many times but never managed to get it to open (unlike the bin, oven and microwave...🤣)

Show quote history

We do have one. Slightly unconvinced that we'll be able to train "take it or leave it" slim cat to use it but we'll give it a go.