Heavy Cat

[dklass]

I have three cats. Two males and one female. The oldest cat Joe was very heavy when he came to live with me because he was mourning the loss of my mother who had him before me. He lost a lot of weight, but now he seams to be heavier than ever. My sister suggested that I take the food dish away and only feed them (all three) once a day. I always left dry food out for them. Is it a good idea to take their dish away?

[Traci]

If you feel he is too overweight, you need to get him examined by your vet. Only your vet can determine if he may be seriously overweight and can then discuss dietary management with you.

Please know that drastic or sudden weight loss can fast lead to liver failure, if hepatic lipidosis occurs, this can be fatal if not detected and treated agressively ASAP. Diabetes is also a serious concern when a cat loses too much weight in a short amount of time.

For this reason, it's best to get your kitty fully evaluated by your vet...he can form a weight management plan and suggest the appropriate diet for him, feeding schedule, etc. Never approach this on your own. Dietary modifications for overweight pets must be approached slowly and cautiously. If your kitty is also older than 7 years of age, it would be wise to get a full blood profile done on him before approaching a weight management plan. Your vet can discuss this more in detail with you.