one too big one too small...
one too big one too small...
I have no idea what to do with my cats right now. When I got them, Lilo was severely overwheight, and Rory tho still under a year was also heading that way. I put them on Purina Cat Chow Lean, which did seem to work as they both lost a fair amount of weight and for about 2 years maintained a good size. They are both active, tho one likes the outside night life and the other (rory, the larger cat) just goes out to go potty. They eat at the same times twice a day and I've been supervising to make sure that rory isnt stealing Lilo's food, but Lilo has lost a large amount of weight over the last 6 months. She doesnt seem sick, or unhappy, she is still active and playful and mischievious as ever, but I know she is too thin. Any suggestions on how to take her off the lean while keeping rory on it because she is the lazier of the two and is overweight? I know milk is bad, but once a week when rory is outside i will give her a little bit, just for the fat content...but I cant feed them different foods, they would just eat eachother's anyway...any suggestions of a meal supplement like a wet food that comes in small portions? Lilo only eats a little at a time then goes back and forth for a few hours after i feed them, rory finishes her bowl and then i have to keep her away from lilo's. I dont want to add anything to rory's diet that will increase her weight, but need to do something for lilo, winter is coming and she's so skinny i dont think she has enough fat to keep her warm and she loves being outside....help! any suggestions are appreciated
eagles may soar, but buffalo dont get sucked up in jet engines 
Re: one too big one too small...
Has Lilo been to a vet to find out why she is losing weight...she needs bloodwork and tested for worms, etc to rule that out before you look at diet...
also...please keep kitties INDOOR ONLY
also...please keep kitties INDOOR ONLY
Re: one too big one too small...
Both your cats need to see a VET, and right now.
You can't take it upon yourself to put your cats "on a diet", not only is this dangerous, but is not appropriate for cats. Only your VET can determine their optimal weight, recommend suitable diets, and MONITOR their weight on a regular basis, as well as check their overall health for any signs of secondary health problems due to their weight fluctuations. Cats are not people, they should NOT fluctuate in their weight, they need to stay consistent.
Severe, sudden weight loss (or gain) are red flags that something is wrong, and you need to get both cats thoroughly evaluated by your vet for underlying health conditions. If a cat loses too much weight, too suddenly or too drastically, this predisposes the cat to numerous health conditions such as a severe condition known as hepatic lipidosis: this disease is fatal if not treated immediately and agressively. Other problems include diabetes, bone problems, insufficient nutrient/mineral imbalances, etc. You need to understand the seriousness of these issues!
Stop letting the cats outdoors, keep them INDOORS ONLY!. Read the link in it's entirety, the outdoor risks are just too dangerous. This could also be part of the weight problems, since you can't monitor what they're eating outdoors. Bugs, fleas, mosquitos are vectors for fatal disease like hemobartonella, anemic conditions, heartworm.....mice are vectors for parasites...most plants are extremely toxic to cats...the reasons are numerous.
Get them to your vet TODAY for proper exams, discuss proper nutrition, and follow your vet's recommendations only and INDOORS ONLY. NEVER put a pet on a diet on your own, this is inappropriate and dangerous! Your cats are depending on you to keep them healthy, safe and protected....vet TODAY.
You can't take it upon yourself to put your cats "on a diet", not only is this dangerous, but is not appropriate for cats. Only your VET can determine their optimal weight, recommend suitable diets, and MONITOR their weight on a regular basis, as well as check their overall health for any signs of secondary health problems due to their weight fluctuations. Cats are not people, they should NOT fluctuate in their weight, they need to stay consistent.
Severe, sudden weight loss (or gain) are red flags that something is wrong, and you need to get both cats thoroughly evaluated by your vet for underlying health conditions. If a cat loses too much weight, too suddenly or too drastically, this predisposes the cat to numerous health conditions such as a severe condition known as hepatic lipidosis: this disease is fatal if not treated immediately and agressively. Other problems include diabetes, bone problems, insufficient nutrient/mineral imbalances, etc. You need to understand the seriousness of these issues!
Stop letting the cats outdoors, keep them INDOORS ONLY!. Read the link in it's entirety, the outdoor risks are just too dangerous. This could also be part of the weight problems, since you can't monitor what they're eating outdoors. Bugs, fleas, mosquitos are vectors for fatal disease like hemobartonella, anemic conditions, heartworm.....mice are vectors for parasites...most plants are extremely toxic to cats...the reasons are numerous.
Get them to your vet TODAY for proper exams, discuss proper nutrition, and follow your vet's recommendations only and INDOORS ONLY. NEVER put a pet on a diet on your own, this is inappropriate and dangerous! Your cats are depending on you to keep them healthy, safe and protected....vet TODAY.
..........Traci
Re: one too big one too small...
Rory, the larger cat has not had a severe weight change, she has always been overweight. It was a vet who told me what to feed them and how much. They are vaccinated and checked annually. Lilo, the underweight cat, has lost the weight over a period of about 6 months. I know what I need to do basically, and have spoken to my vet. She thinks Lilo may be depressed and it makes sense as there have been many changes at home in the last year, change of room mate and living arrangement, also, my past room mate had a rabbit who was free roaming in a bunny proofed area of the house and they all got on very well. What I need is advice from anyone who has had the experience of having to use two different foods and keep them from eating eachothers. Just looking for tips and ideas other than the obvious.
As for indoors only, they wont hear it. They have been out since before I adopted them. They are New Orleans cats and strangely they seem to enjoy canadian winters, they are very odd little creatures.
As for indoors only, they wont hear it. They have been out since before I adopted them. They are New Orleans cats and strangely they seem to enjoy canadian winters, they are very odd little creatures.
eagles may soar, but buffalo dont get sucked up in jet engines
Re: one too big one too small...
You're not listening, and you need a new vet, or you need to be getting these cats TO your vet SO he can monitor them and their weights! No competent vet in their right mind would tell you that fluctuating weight in cats is ok, because it is not.
Again, you cannot expect these cats to lose or gain just because you feed them something specific, or schedule feeding, or watch their weight fluctuate back and forth, this is NOT appropriate for cats! To do so is going to cause a host of illnesses, some of them serious and even deadly.
It's not necessarily how much they are eating, it is the quality of the food, specific amount required for their weight, age, lifestyle, activity level and overall health status. Are they getting exercise? With all the stress they've been enduring, it's not surprising they are health compromised. Stress needs to be reduced at all costs! They cannot handle stressful situations like humans can, stress causes health issues rapidly and you need to address the stresses, and ensure there is NO stress for them.
Purina Cat Chow, no matter what the formula, is not a high quality diet. Your vet could have, and should have, done better in advising you on an appropriate diet for your cats. Irregardless of the diet, you have an overweight cat and an underweight cat, and you don't see the problem? The underweight cat "doesn't seem to be sick or unhappy"....again, diseases take time to develop outward signs of illness, at this very moment, she could be developing serious illness internally, or her organs being severely affected because she is underweight, she could also be suffering vitamin/mineral deficiencies in the food, malabsorption problems, have too fast a metabolism, etc etc. Likewise, the overweight cat may also have underlying developing disease. Obesity predisposes ALL cats to diabetes, increased urinary/tract health issues, bone and arthritic problems and heart disease. Many organs and systems are affected by weight!!
"Rory, the larger cat has not had a severe weight change, she has always been overweight." Again, no competent vet would tell you that is ok. Obesity in pets is deadly, and I explained some of the health problems that occur due to obesity or due to when they lose too much weight too rapidly or suddenly. Your VET should have explained that to you, but since he didn't, you do need to seek a more experienced, competent vet.
You are anthropomorphizing on the cats wanting to be outdoors. They are depending on YOU to protect them, keep them safe from harm, NOT put them at risk for various/numerous outdoor dangers. They're not toddlers whom you must remind every time they cross the street, it is YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY to acclimate them indoors and provide for their needs, their interests, their activity and playtime, etc. When you provide an interesting, safe and healthy environment for them, they do not feel the need to be outdoors. That's your responsibility to them.
Um, NO cat enjoys canadian winters when the temperature drops to below 30 C, nor winds, nor wind chills, nor snow, ice, etc. This is only one amoung many outdoor hazards YOU are putting them at risk for.
Please, for the sake of your cats, who are depending soley on YOU to do right by them, see a new, more experienced (preferrably feline-only) vet to address the weight issues, to address the diet, to address the problems associated with obesity and underweight, and to address the stress factors. A competent vet can help you choose the appropriate diet and give you tips on feeding both cats, but it's up to you to make sure they are indoors only, getting activity and playtime, ensuring a safe and protected environment and reducing their stresses.
Again, you cannot expect these cats to lose or gain just because you feed them something specific, or schedule feeding, or watch their weight fluctuate back and forth, this is NOT appropriate for cats! To do so is going to cause a host of illnesses, some of them serious and even deadly.
It's not necessarily how much they are eating, it is the quality of the food, specific amount required for their weight, age, lifestyle, activity level and overall health status. Are they getting exercise? With all the stress they've been enduring, it's not surprising they are health compromised. Stress needs to be reduced at all costs! They cannot handle stressful situations like humans can, stress causes health issues rapidly and you need to address the stresses, and ensure there is NO stress for them.
Purina Cat Chow, no matter what the formula, is not a high quality diet. Your vet could have, and should have, done better in advising you on an appropriate diet for your cats. Irregardless of the diet, you have an overweight cat and an underweight cat, and you don't see the problem? The underweight cat "doesn't seem to be sick or unhappy"....again, diseases take time to develop outward signs of illness, at this very moment, she could be developing serious illness internally, or her organs being severely affected because she is underweight, she could also be suffering vitamin/mineral deficiencies in the food, malabsorption problems, have too fast a metabolism, etc etc. Likewise, the overweight cat may also have underlying developing disease. Obesity predisposes ALL cats to diabetes, increased urinary/tract health issues, bone and arthritic problems and heart disease. Many organs and systems are affected by weight!!
"Rory, the larger cat has not had a severe weight change, she has always been overweight." Again, no competent vet would tell you that is ok. Obesity in pets is deadly, and I explained some of the health problems that occur due to obesity or due to when they lose too much weight too rapidly or suddenly. Your VET should have explained that to you, but since he didn't, you do need to seek a more experienced, competent vet.
You are anthropomorphizing on the cats wanting to be outdoors. They are depending on YOU to protect them, keep them safe from harm, NOT put them at risk for various/numerous outdoor dangers. They're not toddlers whom you must remind every time they cross the street, it is YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY to acclimate them indoors and provide for their needs, their interests, their activity and playtime, etc. When you provide an interesting, safe and healthy environment for them, they do not feel the need to be outdoors. That's your responsibility to them.
Um, NO cat enjoys canadian winters when the temperature drops to below 30 C, nor winds, nor wind chills, nor snow, ice, etc. This is only one amoung many outdoor hazards YOU are putting them at risk for.
Please, for the sake of your cats, who are depending soley on YOU to do right by them, see a new, more experienced (preferrably feline-only) vet to address the weight issues, to address the diet, to address the problems associated with obesity and underweight, and to address the stress factors. A competent vet can help you choose the appropriate diet and give you tips on feeding both cats, but it's up to you to make sure they are indoors only, getting activity and playtime, ensuring a safe and protected environment and reducing their stresses.
..........Traci
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: one too big one too small...
paradox, I can not read everyone elses posts but knowing them I know what was said.
I am appalled that you have not taken these cats or at least the one that has lost a significant amount of weight to the vet as of yet.
You want advice for how to feed them two separate kinds of foods, Do you have a degree from a Vet school to back you up in thinking this is all just going to go away with changing diets? I am sorry if you do not like what I am saying although I will not apologize for it since I have seen this sort of thing before and have lived it myself as a matter of fact.
Someone or animal is sick and either the person taking care of the animal blows it off as "nothing" OR the dr's that are seeing the patient (human or animal) blow it off. Steams me to no end.
STress is a factor weather you want to believe it or not.
This cat could have a thyroid issue (which is what I have and have had to have my baby put down for it)
I understand you are seeking advice but good Lord go to your vet or find a new one preferably a feline only one asap.
If you were loosing weight for no reason or didn't know why you would go to your Dr. so why oh why would you not take your kitty?
And Indoors ONLY and you say they wont hear it. You are their care giver you are the one who is supposed to protect them. They will get adjusted to being indoors only. Trust me they wont hold a grudge for long and good Lord it is for their safety, against the elements, other animals poisons...you name it. But because it hasnt happen to you you dont think it ever will.
Is this vet you have spoken to been on the phone only, did you take the cat to the vet and have bloods drawn on her to find out if there was something going on to indicate why there is weight loss? If not then stop talking to this vet pay the money for a office visit and get this looked.
You want advice or tips on something you know nothing about because you havent had the cat checked out to find out what is wrong. There is nothing we can say or do to help you with something that is not diagnosed yet.
Get your cat to the vet asap. Call them and figure this out. Any vet who is talking to you on the phone is not worth it and if they are only going by you saying oh well maybe its stress or this or that...then that vet needs to no longer be your vet as well.
You are not a vet who can diagnose this
You are not a nutritionist who can properly give amounts or change amounts of food for your cats to see if "it helps"
What you are is a person who needs to the right thing and get help by bringing kitty to vet .
also cats need to be maintained on a proper diet and that means that you have to go by what the bag says plus what your vet says plus what the ideal weight ofyour kitty shouldbe. Giving the amoutn of foodyou gave during a time of weight loss might not be the amount that is needed now for your skinny kitty. You might be underfeeding her now because of her weight loss so please get her seen , diagnose the problem and get her on a food that will be appropriate for what ever it might be.
As far as both of them eating separate foods, well what ever vet says for both of them you can just keep one in one room for feeding fora certain amount of time for each feeding. BUT again you need to speak to vet to figure out what the problems are first.
I am appalled that you have not taken these cats or at least the one that has lost a significant amount of weight to the vet as of yet.
You want advice for how to feed them two separate kinds of foods, Do you have a degree from a Vet school to back you up in thinking this is all just going to go away with changing diets? I am sorry if you do not like what I am saying although I will not apologize for it since I have seen this sort of thing before and have lived it myself as a matter of fact.
Someone or animal is sick and either the person taking care of the animal blows it off as "nothing" OR the dr's that are seeing the patient (human or animal) blow it off. Steams me to no end.
STress is a factor weather you want to believe it or not.
This cat could have a thyroid issue (which is what I have and have had to have my baby put down for it)
I understand you are seeking advice but good Lord go to your vet or find a new one preferably a feline only one asap.
If you were loosing weight for no reason or didn't know why you would go to your Dr. so why oh why would you not take your kitty?
And Indoors ONLY and you say they wont hear it. You are their care giver you are the one who is supposed to protect them. They will get adjusted to being indoors only. Trust me they wont hold a grudge for long and good Lord it is for their safety, against the elements, other animals poisons...you name it. But because it hasnt happen to you you dont think it ever will.
Is this vet you have spoken to been on the phone only, did you take the cat to the vet and have bloods drawn on her to find out if there was something going on to indicate why there is weight loss? If not then stop talking to this vet pay the money for a office visit and get this looked.
You want advice or tips on something you know nothing about because you havent had the cat checked out to find out what is wrong. There is nothing we can say or do to help you with something that is not diagnosed yet.
Get your cat to the vet asap. Call them and figure this out. Any vet who is talking to you on the phone is not worth it and if they are only going by you saying oh well maybe its stress or this or that...then that vet needs to no longer be your vet as well.
You are not a vet who can diagnose this
You are not a nutritionist who can properly give amounts or change amounts of food for your cats to see if "it helps"
What you are is a person who needs to the right thing and get help by bringing kitty to vet .
also cats need to be maintained on a proper diet and that means that you have to go by what the bag says plus what your vet says plus what the ideal weight ofyour kitty shouldbe. Giving the amoutn of foodyou gave during a time of weight loss might not be the amount that is needed now for your skinny kitty. You might be underfeeding her now because of her weight loss so please get her seen , diagnose the problem and get her on a food that will be appropriate for what ever it might be.
As far as both of them eating separate foods, well what ever vet says for both of them you can just keep one in one room for feeding fora certain amount of time for each feeding. BUT again you need to speak to vet to figure out what the problems are first.
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: one too big one too small...
ok..first, I never said I didnt take them to the vet. Lilo has been in 3 times in 6 weeks because I was worried about her low weight. Rory just had a physical. Blood tests were run on lilo (the underweight one) as well as other testing. I am in debt to my eyeballs from vet bills. No I do not need a new vet, I have been dealing with this one since my first dog who was put down at 16, my first cat who died of feline leukemia at 12 years, the rabbit I mentioned before who is healthy and well at 6 years old and Lilo and Rory since I have had them. Lilo's tests showed nothing wrong, and the vet has her on science diet for outdoor adult cats, and reccomended keeping rory on the Purina Lean. They also both get a vitamin suppliment daily. Do not presume to think I am an idiot for thinking I could ask a question without providing an entire life story without everyone jumping down my throat. As for outside, I live in a house with a very large fenced in yard. They never leave the property, and they also never use a litter box, they ask for the door to go outside. Maybe I wasnt clear enough or said something that sounded like I was acting on my own on my own accord, well I am not. If you have any productive advice on how to keep them separated from eachother's food, or your opinion on my question about adding wet food to Lilo's diet (also an option suggested by my vet, various brands which is why i was asking what kind many owners feed their cats) I welcom your input but dont jump all over me simply for not giving a life story first. You may stop attacking me now, and if you have no productive advice, then feel free to say nothing. Thanks.
eagles may soar, but buffalo dont get sucked up in jet engines
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: one too big one too small...
YOu did not mention that your cat went to the vet therefore you received opinions based on what you said. My post was deleted and I will not rewrite it again. I will be short and to the point which everyone here is for the most part.
If you had given us the history our comments would have been towards those and not what we had to assume because you didnt give us anything about what you have already done.
Your vet is blowing you off about your cat because the tests came back negative. that is wrong. What blood work did he do? I wont ask the long list of ones I usually would ask since I dont want to waste your time saying no or yes to them, you just telling us what was actually done would be better. I will ask if a thyroid test was run and if so what was the levels?
Your vet found nothing wrong and told you to go home with a cat who has lost a significant amount of weight in a short peroid of time and didnt diagnose or give any reason and you except that? Not sure why but again i would say find a new vet.
Why would you supplement any cat unless your vet found something they are lacking during a routine blood test?
supplementing just because is not good enough. and if vet knows you are doing it and tells you its ok then he is wrong.
I will not comment on the food even though I am a nutritionist for animals. If your vet has not diagnosed the kitty then I can not properly speak about what type of food. THere is significant weight loss and that is a huge problem that needs to be addressed that your vet is not addressing. If he is and you have not explained what else he has done or if he referred you to someone else then again you really need to give us that pertinent information.
If you think that your kitties are safe outside just because you have a fenced in yard you are mistaken and very lucky that they have not gotten hurt by snakes,bees or anything out there. Cats at anytime can run just because.
You have no litter pan in your home for them to go potty. WOW that is a huge mistake and can lead to medical problems down the road. Your kitties should not have to wait or hold their urine or feces until you wake up to let them out to go potty. Do yourself a favor and get a litter box in the house for them. Not having one is stressful enough even if they have had it that way their whole lives.
When our animals are sick it is upto us to find out what is wrong and if that means going from vet to vet to figure it out then so be it. The vet you have seen has not diagnosed this and it needs to be diagnosed. Please find a more competant vet that will continue to try to find out what is wrong. Maybe not having a litter box in the house is the problem. Maybe the other cat is eating that ones food. You dont know.
You need to put them in separate rooms in order to eat, let them eat then let them out of the room and pick up their food. YOU will be able to monitor who is eating what and how much. Do not blow this off like your vet did , there is a reason there is weight loss it is up to you to find out what it is and that means a new vet or talk to your regular vet and demand that he figure this out.
No one is scolding you, we are simply giving you our opinions based on the information you gave us. THe more detail you give the more accurate the opinions will be. We want you to help your kitty and want to help you figure it out but we can not do this going on histories that we do not have.
If you had given us the history our comments would have been towards those and not what we had to assume because you didnt give us anything about what you have already done.
Your vet is blowing you off about your cat because the tests came back negative. that is wrong. What blood work did he do? I wont ask the long list of ones I usually would ask since I dont want to waste your time saying no or yes to them, you just telling us what was actually done would be better. I will ask if a thyroid test was run and if so what was the levels?
Your vet found nothing wrong and told you to go home with a cat who has lost a significant amount of weight in a short peroid of time and didnt diagnose or give any reason and you except that? Not sure why but again i would say find a new vet.
Why would you supplement any cat unless your vet found something they are lacking during a routine blood test?
supplementing just because is not good enough. and if vet knows you are doing it and tells you its ok then he is wrong.
I will not comment on the food even though I am a nutritionist for animals. If your vet has not diagnosed the kitty then I can not properly speak about what type of food. THere is significant weight loss and that is a huge problem that needs to be addressed that your vet is not addressing. If he is and you have not explained what else he has done or if he referred you to someone else then again you really need to give us that pertinent information.
If you think that your kitties are safe outside just because you have a fenced in yard you are mistaken and very lucky that they have not gotten hurt by snakes,bees or anything out there. Cats at anytime can run just because.
You have no litter pan in your home for them to go potty. WOW that is a huge mistake and can lead to medical problems down the road. Your kitties should not have to wait or hold their urine or feces until you wake up to let them out to go potty. Do yourself a favor and get a litter box in the house for them. Not having one is stressful enough even if they have had it that way their whole lives.
When our animals are sick it is upto us to find out what is wrong and if that means going from vet to vet to figure it out then so be it. The vet you have seen has not diagnosed this and it needs to be diagnosed. Please find a more competant vet that will continue to try to find out what is wrong. Maybe not having a litter box in the house is the problem. Maybe the other cat is eating that ones food. You dont know.
You need to put them in separate rooms in order to eat, let them eat then let them out of the room and pick up their food. YOU will be able to monitor who is eating what and how much. Do not blow this off like your vet did , there is a reason there is weight loss it is up to you to find out what it is and that means a new vet or talk to your regular vet and demand that he figure this out.
No one is scolding you, we are simply giving you our opinions based on the information you gave us. THe more detail you give the more accurate the opinions will be. We want you to help your kitty and want to help you figure it out but we can not do this going on histories that we do not have.
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: one too big one too small...
If your vet is so good (which she is not), it is HER who should be giving you the advice you seek, but she isn't, so when we address what is the obvious, and you don't listen, what more do you expect?
So, Lilo has been to the vet 3 times in 6 weeks. Was that lately, or was that weeks/months ago? Other than bloodwork, what else has your vet done to address her weight? Did she even bother to do a body score condition workup? How old is she, and if older than 6, was a thyroid function test done?
Hills doesn't make an outdoor formula cat food, NO manufacturer does. They make an indoor cat food. You first told us the cats were on Cat Chow Lean, it was only your last post that you indicated your vet has Lilo on Science Diet adult.
I just have to ask, how's the Cat Chow Lean working for Rory? Is your vet bothering to monitor her weight on a monthly basis? Did she also do a body condition score on Rory? Or, is Rory simply gaining little by little or only maintaining her weight? If she's still gaining, or only maintaining her weight, and your vet is saying thats ok and not to address it further, then she's not doing right by either of your cats. How old is Rory?
Eactly how old are the cats, and exactly what are their weights?
I realize it may only be occasional, but milk shouldn't be fed to cats frequently. Most cats are lactose intolerant (causing GI tract upset, excess gas in the intestine, diarrhea and/or constipation), and milk isn't going to do a thing to add protein, caloric intake, or add weight.
Just because you've been seeing this particular vet for years does not make her a good vet. You've indicated more than once that you're worried about BOTH cats' weight issues, yet, it sure doesn't sound as if your vet is properly addressing anything. Don't you owe it to your cats to get a second opinion from a more qualifed vet?
There is no need to add supplements or other vitamins to any quality cat food. The food is already properly balanced, and adding additional supplements is risky, it can cause excesses in vitamin/mineral composition and can affect vital organs. I'd love to hear the vet's reasoning for this. What does she think the additional supplement is doing? It's obvious she either thinks or knows the Cat Chow food is deficient in quality nutrients, and thus advised a supplement. Even if that was her approach, it was the wrong approach. Even while the Cat Chow brands are not high quality foods, they do NOT need additional supplementation.
Why do you think Lilo needs canned food, in addition to her current Science Diet Adult food? If she is eating normally, there is no need to add canned food (of any variety) to her feeding routine. The Science Diet is formulated for healthy adult cats and for optimal weight, there's something else going on that is causing her to lose weight or the inability to maintain her weight as optimal. Again, your vet is obviously not addressing that.
Adding canned food as a treat does no real harm, but if she is used to dry food only, don't fix what isn't broken. She could also become dependent on canned food, or become finicky and if she developed serious signs of illness, it becomes difficult to treat a finicky cat because anorexia is almost always a condition requiring treatment. Likewise, if you feed only canned, then she could actually ADD weight, but it wouldn't necessarily be GOOD weight. Meaning, she is adding fat, not lean body mass. Your vet needed to discuss these issues with you in the beginning.
If you're scheduling their meals, it very well could be that Lilo needs more, more frequently. When cats expend their energy, they need to eat to replenish their energy reserves.
Again, as long as you are allowing them outdoors, chances are, she may be frequently infected with worms, which of course will cause weight loss, since the worms in fact, eat what she eats. Not only are parasites a serious problem for cats and cause serious health issues, but she is also at numerous risks for other outdoor hazards, which were mentioned before. She could be eating food from the neighbors, plants, vomiting excessively from eating grass or plants without your knowledge, eating other undesireable things outdoors.
A fenced in yard, particularly if there is no enclosed portion where the cats cannot escape, is NOT a gaurantee of safety. Any cat can jump a fence, or look for holes, etc. If you're not supervising, which we know you're not, it only takes one second for a cat to jump a fence or escape and be at risk for dog attacks, hit by car, getting lost, etc etc....the link we provided explains all that.
If they don't use an indoor litterbox, it is simply because you are either not providing them one, not keeping it scooped or cleaned, or because you continue to allow them outdoors. Of course they are not going to use an indoor litterbox because they know YOU are allowing them outdoors to do their elimination duties. So please stop using that as an excuse to allow them outdoors. It is easy to acclimate cats indoors only, you simply have to make their environment safe and interesting, and attend to their needs.
You said: "Lilo has lost a large amount of weight over the last 6 months."
That's a big problem, and a serious problem. It may or may not be related to the Cat Chow Lean she was eating prior to the Science Diet. It may or may not be related to worms. It may or may not be related to an underlying health condition, such as hyperthyroid or other organ disfunction. It may or may not be related to her exposure to something outdoors. Even if it was related to the diet, she should never have lost a significant amount of weight in 6 months. Your vet knows that, and what you should be concerned about is her failure to address this appropriately.
And, if Rory is only maintaining added weight, your vet also knows this is a serious problem and that Rory is predisposed to serious health conditions as mentioned earlier. If she's not taking an active and concerned approach to Rory's weight, then she is failing Rory as well. You also indicated that Rory doesn't get enough exercise, did your vet bother to tell you how to increase her exercise bit by bit so that she becomes more active? Pet owners MUST be proactive in this, and encourage their pets to play and be more active. You can't just expect her to be on a "lean" diet and expect her to lose weight. Since she is overweight, however, you must approach this slowly, because you can't overexert her, or cause unecessary distress on her joints and limbs, or heart. Exercise and activity are paramount to weight management.
There are numerous ways to feed cats with different diets. It all depends on the situation, your willingness to do it. You can feed them in seperate rooms/areas, or feed them while you supervise. Stop allowing them outdoors, and make the effort to be creative in their feeding routines and making their indoor environment safe and interesting. See a new vet for a second opinion, a vet who is committed to their health and care and is comitted to preventing the major health conditions your cats may be predisposed to. You think you have large vet bills now, should your cats ever develop major illness due to their weight issues, your vet bills are going to be tripled.
So, Lilo has been to the vet 3 times in 6 weeks. Was that lately, or was that weeks/months ago? Other than bloodwork, what else has your vet done to address her weight? Did she even bother to do a body score condition workup? How old is she, and if older than 6, was a thyroid function test done?
Hills doesn't make an outdoor formula cat food, NO manufacturer does. They make an indoor cat food. You first told us the cats were on Cat Chow Lean, it was only your last post that you indicated your vet has Lilo on Science Diet adult.
I just have to ask, how's the Cat Chow Lean working for Rory? Is your vet bothering to monitor her weight on a monthly basis? Did she also do a body condition score on Rory? Or, is Rory simply gaining little by little or only maintaining her weight? If she's still gaining, or only maintaining her weight, and your vet is saying thats ok and not to address it further, then she's not doing right by either of your cats. How old is Rory?
Eactly how old are the cats, and exactly what are their weights?
I realize it may only be occasional, but milk shouldn't be fed to cats frequently. Most cats are lactose intolerant (causing GI tract upset, excess gas in the intestine, diarrhea and/or constipation), and milk isn't going to do a thing to add protein, caloric intake, or add weight.
Just because you've been seeing this particular vet for years does not make her a good vet. You've indicated more than once that you're worried about BOTH cats' weight issues, yet, it sure doesn't sound as if your vet is properly addressing anything. Don't you owe it to your cats to get a second opinion from a more qualifed vet?
There is no need to add supplements or other vitamins to any quality cat food. The food is already properly balanced, and adding additional supplements is risky, it can cause excesses in vitamin/mineral composition and can affect vital organs. I'd love to hear the vet's reasoning for this. What does she think the additional supplement is doing? It's obvious she either thinks or knows the Cat Chow food is deficient in quality nutrients, and thus advised a supplement. Even if that was her approach, it was the wrong approach. Even while the Cat Chow brands are not high quality foods, they do NOT need additional supplementation.
Why do you think Lilo needs canned food, in addition to her current Science Diet Adult food? If she is eating normally, there is no need to add canned food (of any variety) to her feeding routine. The Science Diet is formulated for healthy adult cats and for optimal weight, there's something else going on that is causing her to lose weight or the inability to maintain her weight as optimal. Again, your vet is obviously not addressing that.
Adding canned food as a treat does no real harm, but if she is used to dry food only, don't fix what isn't broken. She could also become dependent on canned food, or become finicky and if she developed serious signs of illness, it becomes difficult to treat a finicky cat because anorexia is almost always a condition requiring treatment. Likewise, if you feed only canned, then she could actually ADD weight, but it wouldn't necessarily be GOOD weight. Meaning, she is adding fat, not lean body mass. Your vet needed to discuss these issues with you in the beginning.
If you're scheduling their meals, it very well could be that Lilo needs more, more frequently. When cats expend their energy, they need to eat to replenish their energy reserves.
Again, as long as you are allowing them outdoors, chances are, she may be frequently infected with worms, which of course will cause weight loss, since the worms in fact, eat what she eats. Not only are parasites a serious problem for cats and cause serious health issues, but she is also at numerous risks for other outdoor hazards, which were mentioned before. She could be eating food from the neighbors, plants, vomiting excessively from eating grass or plants without your knowledge, eating other undesireable things outdoors.
A fenced in yard, particularly if there is no enclosed portion where the cats cannot escape, is NOT a gaurantee of safety. Any cat can jump a fence, or look for holes, etc. If you're not supervising, which we know you're not, it only takes one second for a cat to jump a fence or escape and be at risk for dog attacks, hit by car, getting lost, etc etc....the link we provided explains all that.
If they don't use an indoor litterbox, it is simply because you are either not providing them one, not keeping it scooped or cleaned, or because you continue to allow them outdoors. Of course they are not going to use an indoor litterbox because they know YOU are allowing them outdoors to do their elimination duties. So please stop using that as an excuse to allow them outdoors. It is easy to acclimate cats indoors only, you simply have to make their environment safe and interesting, and attend to their needs.
You said: "Lilo has lost a large amount of weight over the last 6 months."
That's a big problem, and a serious problem. It may or may not be related to the Cat Chow Lean she was eating prior to the Science Diet. It may or may not be related to worms. It may or may not be related to an underlying health condition, such as hyperthyroid or other organ disfunction. It may or may not be related to her exposure to something outdoors. Even if it was related to the diet, she should never have lost a significant amount of weight in 6 months. Your vet knows that, and what you should be concerned about is her failure to address this appropriately.
And, if Rory is only maintaining added weight, your vet also knows this is a serious problem and that Rory is predisposed to serious health conditions as mentioned earlier. If she's not taking an active and concerned approach to Rory's weight, then she is failing Rory as well. You also indicated that Rory doesn't get enough exercise, did your vet bother to tell you how to increase her exercise bit by bit so that she becomes more active? Pet owners MUST be proactive in this, and encourage their pets to play and be more active. You can't just expect her to be on a "lean" diet and expect her to lose weight. Since she is overweight, however, you must approach this slowly, because you can't overexert her, or cause unecessary distress on her joints and limbs, or heart. Exercise and activity are paramount to weight management.
There are numerous ways to feed cats with different diets. It all depends on the situation, your willingness to do it. You can feed them in seperate rooms/areas, or feed them while you supervise. Stop allowing them outdoors, and make the effort to be creative in their feeding routines and making their indoor environment safe and interesting. See a new vet for a second opinion, a vet who is committed to their health and care and is comitted to preventing the major health conditions your cats may be predisposed to. You think you have large vet bills now, should your cats ever develop major illness due to their weight issues, your vet bills are going to be tripled.
..........Traci
Re: one too big one too small...
ok...gonna try to remember all the questions from both of your posts...I am not sure of all the tests she ran on Lilo, but there was a thyroid test done I called today to make sure. I have an appointment for Lilo again next week. According to the scales/charts I have been looking at, lilo is not 'underwieght' but a 'thin cat' It's just strange for me because she was once overweight. The vet said that yes stress of all the changes, which I have honestly tried to make easier on them by keeping their blankets, toys etc available to them and they have ajusted to my move from an upstairs room to the basement well..tho they still want in my old room at times they. She is also far more active than she used to be, her previous owner stayed in her room all day and her laziness rubbed off on her cat. I have put the litter tray back out, shown them where it is, that way they can use it if they cant get let out, thank you for that tip. Lilo is 5 Rory is 3, they have been with me since rory was 6mos and have always stayed in my yard enclosure. I have a cat jungle gym out there, water at all times and they have never left. I keep them in if I am not home. We dont have snakes or poisonous spiders or anything where I live, so I am not worries about that. umm... Oh yeah, Rory- she isnt obese, but when I try to change her to regular food, even gradually as you're supposed to, she gets sick. She seems to have a sensitive digestive tract, and she is heavy and quite lazier than Lilo so I just think its best for her to stay on it. I'm sorry if my last post seemed rude, but I felt very attacked, I am a cat owner not an expert and was looking for advice and felt ambushed so I apologise for that. I am taking all you are saying as good advice, but there are some things, like forcing them inside, I am just not willing to do. I tried that the first 6 months they were with me and all they did was try to escape, I prefer having control of when they are out, so that they dont try to run everytime the door is opened.
Thanks for the advice, anything further is welcomed.
Thanks for the advice, anything further is welcomed.
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