msj@drutx.UUCP (JanssenMS) (10/04/85)
My cat is fat. While this does not bother me too much, I am wondering how bad it is for the cat. Kiku, my cat, is a two-year old female who lives inside. Other than a daily game of fetch (yes, she retrieves almost anything) with me, I know she gets little exercise. I took her to the vet to have her pendulous stomach checked (just to be sure the cat was overweight and did not have some other problem). The vet had only one suggestion for a diet and said that some cats are just fat just like some people are just fat. So far, cutting back on kiku's food has not helped (she gets about 1/4 cup of dry science diet cat food each day). She is still chubs. Does anyone know of any cat diets or have any information about whether being overweight is bad for a cat in the same way it is bad for people (heart problems, etc.)? Thank you. Maggie Janssen, AT&T Information Systems, Denver, Colorado.
booter@lll-crg.ARpA (Elaine Richards) (10/07/85)
Re: cats who are MASSIVE. If your kitty has a BIG BOD and is not eating more than 1/4 c of Science Diet, I suggest you check out your neighbors. I have met meny cats at my back door, bumming victuals. Also, sometimes a pendulous tummy may just be loose skin. I have (a now, no doubt, infamous) cat who had been 6 lbs when I met her. She is "petite". She had 5 kittens (looked like she swallowed a melon) and weaned them all. She balooned up to 12lbs post-spay and is now 7-8 lbs of fighting furry fury. She has a very loose paunch. No tummy tucks for alley cats. Maybe when she passes on, I wil have her made into a handbag. (A very baggy one). E *****