I have to admit it - Abbott is getting fat

[LynneSin]

And I need help. Evita is quite healthy at 8.5 pounds. She's a small cat and she's never had any problem getting to the food dish. But Abbott is 16lbs and well, he's just starting to look really hefty.

He is an active cat with no problems jumping, pouncing or tormenting Evita. Any ideas of how I can shave about 1-2lbs off of Abbott without Starving Evita in the process?

[sniffa]

1. exceLLant

is he about ready to be eaten yet? i order my "eggs over abbot" Long ago.

[King Of Paperboys]

2. Tell him he's a bad, fat cat.

Tear down his self-esteem. He'll develop an eating disorder! Voila!

[LynneSin]

3. NOOOOOOOO

I cuddle him every day and tell him how much I love him. I couldn't do that to him. But he is getting tougher to lift everyday!

[King Of Paperboys]

4. Enabler!

Co-dependent! Don't you see? You're feeding his addiction!

You need to get to a meeting.

[mike_c]

5. couple of thoughts...

...although I should preface them by saying that as the proud companion of 18 lb Maxwell my advice should probably be taken with a grain of salt. Actually, Max is basically just a very large kitty, and although he does run to fat he's not really very overweight for his size. All my other cats self regulate just fine, but I do sometimes have limit Maxwell's access. Which brings me to my first piece of advice....

Don't feed ad libidum. Decide on an appropriate amount and offer it only once per day (or break it up into morning/evening rations). Give it to them in separate bowls placed apart. Expect some confusion at first if this isn't what they're accustomed to, but stick with it and they'll figure it out. Take away any left over food-- especially at first-- so that Evita doesn't walk away, intending to finish later-- only to find that Abbott has scammed a double portion. Next time she'll be hungrier and more likely to finish. If Abbott attempts to drive her away from her food simply offer her his, unless he's already eaten it. In that case you might have to close him in a bed room (or put him out if he's an indoor/outdoor kitty) until she's finished. Chances are that such games won't last for long unless there's already a strong dominance relationship between them.

The second suggestion has to do with what you're feeding. Although nutritionally adequate in the sense that it contains all the necessary components (probably), many cat foods-- especially dry foods-- have the capacity to trigger obesity in susceptible cats because they're grain based, and because some cats become quite addicted to the dry food crunch factor. In that case you might want to look into BARF-- biologically appropriate raw food. This is the ultimate cat food, but it's labor intensive (there are commercial versions, but many people make their own). Do a google search on "biologically appropriate raw". You'll get mucho information. Of course you can't feed BARF ad lib, but you can offer much more satisfying meals when you do feed your cats.

[SoCalDem]

6. neutering them gives them the "swinging belly syndrome"

and packs on the pounds for some cats.. All my "boys" have it..even skinny Marvin has a swingy belly.. there's not fat in it though.. he's a skinnykitty

[LynneSin]

7. He is a big built cat

Even the vet said that. I don't think I put too much food out for both cats, usually when I get home it's pretty much all finished. And they only get one pouch of wet food a day (they split it).

Maybe I'm just a nervous first time cat mom who doesn't want my Abbott to be unhealthy.

[sus]

8. your cat is morbidly obese. for the love of god DO SOMETHING!!

and clean your carpets!

oh! burn! carpet burn, that is.

[LynneSin]

9. Hey Matcom Jr: Shut the Cheney up

I've seen your carpets - you have NO room to brag!!

[sus]

10. that's true. i'm not ashamed!

[LynneSin]

11. Of being Matcom Jr

Or how filthy your carpets are!

[sus]

12. oh, the carpets. for sure.