My cat is fat

[Monchhichi]

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?

The vet said cut down their bowls of Go Cat that they have at night so I reduced it to about half of the usual portion last night. I know it's crap but little girl cat likes it.

@Papergirl1968 he's erm certainly "solid".

Make him work for all his food - puzzle feeder, throw the biscuits etc. he will be so energised when he loses a few kg.

We have to separate and supervise our cats as the boys inhale food compared to the girl.

The good games is also good enrichment for them mentally.

Isn't go-cat kitty "junk" food?

Solid, I like it, RandomMess!
Go Cat is absolutely junk food. The kitty equivalent of Maccies.
Funnily enough they aren't addicted to Dreamies. They're used to having a few at night - about five for fat boy, 10-12 for girl cat.

@Papergirl1968
he is such a lovely cat, I expect you are worried about him? 7.7kg is about the highest weight for a British shorthair apparently, so achievable with some of the advice on here, honestly I’d take you to PPC if you were near me 🥰

Aww, thanks TwoMonthsOff.
I am worried about him. It's a vicious cycle really because the bigger he gets the less he wants to move.

Yes and I don’t think winter helps, mine hates wet and cold and sleeps most of the time so not burning off any calories really.

there are some good suggestions on the thread though, what age is Matt ?

I would bin the go cat and give them a different treat, perhaps just their usual kibble?

Oh god I have a fatcat too. He’s 6, and 8kg. He is the absolute laziest. He’s spent all day asleep today, got up twice for some food and both times went back to bed.

Mine has started on a diet. Two pouches a day , first thing in the morning and five ocklock at night. She doesn’t get anything at all in between. She’s already looking thinner. I think the dry food is a killer . She sleeps all the time in the winter and is food obsessed, but I’m holding firm!

@Papergirl1968 www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/supplements_specialty_cat_food/cat_diet_foods

I have posted a link form Zooplus for weight loss dry kibble

I have no idea if these are any good, but some other people may have advice

Matt is eight.
They don't have any kibble. Just the Go Cat. I'll wean them off it and try them on some healthier alternatives.

They will likely sulk but if they are hungry enough they will eat something else (eventually)

Omg that is so funny.

Would love photos of all these (fat) cats or slim cats

Sorry I've not rtft, my cat is overweight at nearly 6kg, and always has been. He's 15yo now and diabetic. I inject him with insulin twice a day. What I've learnt from all this is that cat food is full of crap. It's like junk, honestly. From lots of research I would now only consider sheba meat or equivalent. Much lower sugar and carbs. You can look on the back at the content. Yes, it costs more, but it's worth it to keep your cat healthy. And if it's about money then diabetes is proving expensive!

Reading this with interest, our cat has gone from solid to fat this winter. He was a stray for many years, and very notably has a summer/winter cycle where he starts over eating and piling the weight on from around September, then slims down a lot once spring comes. But this winter he’s taken it a bit too far! He’s obsessed with pouches, tops up with biscuit, so I think I need to do some research as to what’s the best wet food. I’m working on the basis that the higher meat content the better.

This is a great thread, lots of helping tips . We are also trying to get our cats weight down . He is 7. And goes out for the odd half hour but mostly sleep . And looks like garfield . Pic is him right now fast asleep 😆

You can get biscuit and wet food that is 85% meat.

It's often referred to as "raw fees" but it's still safe for pets/TB and other disease free.

So what does your cat eat?

Emerald is 6.5 kg.
She won't move much and despite nine months of Cat Slimming World, lowering the quantity of satiety cat food all the time, she has lost no weight.
We have actually given up now.
Nothing works.

Our fat girl gets Smilla Light and likes it enough to eat it, but not reject it completely. Concept for Life was also ok for her - I weighed out a portion so I could see what was recommended based on her weight and wet food consumption.

Some adorable kitties in this thread!

Where can I get it?

There are several brands including orijen and Eden.

https://www.petplanet.co.uk/p31908/orijencattandkittennfood.aspx

Eden;

https://www.edenpetfoods.com/shop/for-cats/food-for-cats

Although it looks expensive at first glance they need less than bulked out food and best of all far less 💩 out the other end and it smells less.

Bella & Duke but don't think they do kibble.

www.bellaandduke.com/learn/cat-nutrition/raw-feeding-guide-for-cats/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Cat%20Food%20Generic%20Raw%20UK%20ENG%20SPART%2050%&utm_couponcode=CAGA156&utm_term=raw%20cat%20food%20uk&gclid=CjwKCAiA-8SdBhBGEiwAWdgtcAK57uDFDbRp3Gq-NSWaJRWx_Z8WHp-P2vTGqT_MKlVDLcso_rAv4hoCcG4QAvD_BwE

I'm sure there are more out there though.

My boy is 6.5kg but hes a healthy weight as he is a really big cat, thick tail and legs, and paws. When he gets treatment from the vet he has to have the large cat dose is Emerald a large built cat because she doesn't look particularly hefty in that photo, she is lovely
This chart is helpful

hes young! plenty of time for him to get a beach bod ready for summer 😍

Thanks I will look into this. I think most cat food is crap. Cats develop insulin resistance like humans as too many carbs.