Fat Cat?

[Carol Teitler]

Brutus is an 8+ yr. old mix. He's very large-boned (about the build of a small dog). He had a urinary tract problem (crystals) and was put on Hill's Prescription Diet cd/s by his vet. This food is extremely fattening but was necessary because of the crystals. Then the doctor thought he was getting too heavy and switched him to Hill's Prescription Diet wd. I feed him the least amount possible...he weighs about 18-1/2 lbs. and he gets a total of 1/2 cup dry and 2/3 can of wet. He's not very athletic for a cat but now the vet wants us to feed him even less since he isn't losing weight. There are no health problems such as diabetes that we can attribute his large size to. Is it possible that cats, like people, can be "large" and still be healthy? Also, is there a food that anyone can recommend that would keep his urine pH safe and still be dietetic? Thanks for any and all help! It's great to know that there's someplace to go to ask a question!

[Traci]

Carol, once he is acclimated to the new diet, please form an exercise program for him, ask your vet first, even though you have FLUTD management to consider, you also need to consider liver, kidney and heart health when instituting a new diet and exercise program.

C/D-s generally does not cause weight gain, while it may in some cats, the majority of cats gain because they become less active, and owners don't commit to an exercise program. You have to start out slow and monitor him carefully as he exercises, plays, etc so that he does not overexhert himself. Start with simply 5 minutes a day....over the course of a couple weeks, increase to 10 minutes a day...then end with at least 15 minutes of playtime per day. Again, talk with your vet because you want to completely ensure he is in excellent health beforehand. I'd be willing to be that the more active he becomes with your help during playtime sessions, he will gradually lose weight. Remember, you do NOT want drastic or sudden weight loss, the safest time frame is no more than 1 lb loss in one-two months (each kitty varies per individual need)

[Carol T]

Traci...We always try to get Brutus to play with us...he has more toys than a pet store...but he likes to watch us play with them! To get him into a "moving mode" is almost impossible. We throw any treats he's given so he has to run for them and we do have steps in the house that he goes up and down several times a day, but that's about it (other than jumping on or off his window perch or the furniture). I tried every gimmick I could come up with including a laser light but he just won't get physical! The vet thinks he can be off the cd/s completely and just stay on the wd, but that didn't seem to make any difference in his weight either. Is is possible that the weight he's at is just his body's set weight? By the way, I love this site...it's the most helpful I've ever found! Thank you!!!

[Traci]

Carol, you might ask your vet about trying the new Hill's Rx M/D, which is designed to alter metabolism (only thing is, I think it's higher in protein, not necessarily what you want ideally)...but it might be mixed with the W/D or fed as treats.......another option is trying R/D as it maintains body mass but has reduced calories, and can also be used for FLUTD maintenance. Combined with an exercise program, the latter might be more suitable for Brutus in particular. Your vet can also call Hill's and they will be happy to give him additional information (nutrient analysis) on the M/D if he's willing to try it. Keep in mind, it's just an option, but with this diet, you'd probably have to mix it with a more appropriate struvite diet.

As for playtime, maybe string toys would be better, like a cat-dancer, feather toys on a string, things of that nature, to get him up, stretching, using his muscles.....Not being able to see his bone structure, I wouldn't want to assume his ideal weight. My feeling is that if your vet has been concerned, he has good reason to be, and probably feels Brutus would fair much better with a good weight management program. Remember, slow weight loss is safest for cats, try to get a regular weight check on him every three months so your vet is more up to speed on how the diet is or is not working for him. Ask about the R/D first, then talk about the M/D.

Hope this helps.....

[Carol Teitler]

Traci...thanks, again. I will question the vet about the change in foods. As for string toys, wire toys, feathers on strings, etc., etc., etc., we have bought and tried them all. He'll sometimes play for 3-5 mintues but that's not often. I will have the vet check him for signs of arthritis, but I really don't think that's it. He's just LAZY! But, we keep trying. Make him go upstairs for his treats, his litter box, and his food. Most times, he's the smarter one and just sleeps up there. And, he's always looking for food. I'm glad that you agree with us in that he can't be cut back anymore. Right now, he's always hungry...boy do we feel guilty! He doesn't get lots of treats either...maybe 10 a day (spread out over the whole day) but most days less than that. We give him dental treats since he had a problem when he was younger but not since I've been brushing his teeth every day...now he has those pearly whites and his gums are healthy! Traci, thanks again for your help. Talk to you soon....

[Yzma]

Have you tried walking him?
if he is always looking for food you could also try putting small amounts of food in various places so he has to sort of hunt his dinner down... or get a treat ball that he has to play with to dispense the food...

[Carol Teitler]

Brutus is an indoor cat who's actually scared of the outdoors so walking him just doesn't seem to be an option. We haven't tried a treat ball...might be one way to get him to move. Will try, thanks!