Tino kindly requests that breakfast be served ASAP. Laura Gilbert
I've learned a lot since putting my cats on a diet. First off, I now know just how easy it is to get an animal to diet (provided you don't mind their 3 a.m. renewed bursts of energy). But I'm also finding out there's a lot of great info out there. Between my own searches and e-mails from friends who've been following the saga, I've got a whole little library going.
A coworker forwarded this article about how to gauge proper portions for your pet. Since many pet food bags recommend a ratio based on the animal's current weight, your pets can get too much food. It's better to feed them the correct amount for their ideal weight.
My friend Laurie and her cat Mr. Scrubby sent me an article about National Pet Obesity Awareness Day (it was last month, but you can still send me an e-card if you find one appropriate). This article has tips on easy ways to help your big babies burn more calories.
One of my favorite resources is still this article from Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine that shows how to tell if a cat's overweight just by its silhouette. (Tino used to be a 4, I swear.)
PetFit.com has a human-to-animal weight calculator that shows you just how un-funny animal obesity is. My cats may be "only" five pounds overweight, but that's the equivalent of an extra 53 pounds on me. I guarantee I would not find that very adorable.
So far, however, I have yet to read about a reliable way to weigh my cats. Any suggestions? I knew my bathroom scale wasn't exact since I can vary by as much as two pounds within the same minute, but today it said that DeeDee had dropped three pounds since last week. Ah well, we'll chalk it up as a win and see what happens next week.
Have you seen good info on overweight animals? Leave the URL in the comments for everyone to appreciate!
Week 5
DeeDee: 15.8 pounds (highly unlikely)
Tino: 17.2 pounds
DeeDee: 15.8 pounds (highly unlikely)
Tino: 17.2 pounds
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actually if you have a Wii Fit after you weigh yourself you can hold your kitty and it will tell you the exact weight difference. I had to weigh my 2 cats a little bit back for worming medicine that the vet was dropping off. But that is the only way i can think of weighing them accurately.
These tips are good, it is very easy & time driven . But in a situation to lose weight it’s a must one have to follow this. Thanks for sharing your weight loss tips.
i am missing reading about thier weightloss :( hopefully you keep us updated soon. i would like to know how they are doing.
hI, i AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAT, WHO WEIGHS IN AT 19 POUNDS. i DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED, BUT THINK THAT KNOWING SHE HAD BEEN ABUSED WHEN I GOT HER, AND WANTING TO SHOW MY LOVE...WHAT BETTER WAY FOR A MOTHER TO SHOW LOVE THAN TO FEED HER? I remember my very first thing i did when she was brought home to me, was put her down in front of a bowl of food. So, it started out as a sign of my love and continued on, and on. I think my cat feels loved when she is fed too, but in actuality i am doing her more harm with my feedings. She eats a constant diet of tuna as its her fav, along withtable food as well. Can u believe one of her favorite treats is fontenella cheese? If you have ever had it, it is a taste even humans have to develop a taste for, but she just loves the stuff!Anyway, I have tried several times attempting to put her on a diet, but i feel as though i am being so cruel to deny her the food that i have always showed my love to her with. I know its the right thing to do, but so hard. It has gotten out of hand though, i can't even go into the kitchen without her running in, in fear of missing out on a possible snack. God for bid if i have to open a can, as she thinks it is for her and knows the sound. She has her own cupboard for her food....i give her wet food in morning, afternoon, and night...and sometimes in bnetween too. She also always has a full dish of dry food to nibble on in between. I have seen her just finish eating, and if my b/f doesnt know and feeds her, she has no problem eating another meal minutes after. She is eating when not even hungry! Have you found any good tricks? Or any helpful hints? My cat is 11 yrs old btw, so her wieght is not good esp for an older cat who does not have much activity. I wish you the best and hope you have some hints i can try. Thanks!
Thanks for telling it like it is!