My cat is on a diet and I need advice.

[Arcadian]

so I don't have a lot of recs, (sorry) but you could try this treat maze

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Amazing-Interactive-Puzzle-Feeder/dp/B009R3SFBC

looks like it gets good reviews

https://www.amazon.com/BlackHole-Litter-Mat-Interactive-Stimulate/dp/B07M9ZT35W it looks...interesting. not sure how much your cat would be interested in something like that. Its stimuli at least.

 

[AlRoss0908]

You can support your cat and join a diet too. My cat looks at me with the saddest eyes when I am eating an ice-cream or something delicious.

 

[yssie]

SureFeed feeders have been a lifesaver for us.

Pet Supplies : Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 : Amazon.com

Find Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 and more at Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

With six cats - all of which have different dietary needs at different times - managing feeding was SUCH a complete, utter headache before we got these things!!
They can be programmed to a cat's microchip - or, for cats that aren't chipped, there's a tag you can snap onto a collar. Super easy to train to, super easy to use, super easy to clean (like, *actually* easy to clean), batteries last months, and even though they're not airtight they do a great job of keeping wet food wet and dry food fresh all day long.
I know I sound like a commercial, but honestly, they're worth every penny.

We've got one on a diet right now. He's a complainer like yours @winnietucker! But now that he's associated "miserly magic dispenser" with "food", he yowls angrily at his feeder rather than at us for more - it's still loud, but it's a marked improvement

@missy These might keep Ollie away from the others' meals!

 

[winnietucker]

Ooh I forgot about this thread so here’s an update. My cat has lost 4 lbs. He needs to lose 2-3 lbs more but we’ll get there.

 

[bludiva]

You can support your cat and join a diet too. My cat looks at me with the saddest eyes when I am eating an ice-cream or something delicious.

that is my dog anytime I have a tasty treat

 

[doberman]

I live in a house with bunch of food-obsessed animals. My doberman looks like a barrel on sticks, and my daughter's two cats are fat. My cats are normal weight but I have to watch Snowy. I rescued him from a hoarding situation and he was positively skeletal when he arrived. Now it's like he's making up for lost time.

I have to shut the cats in different rooms at meal time. At least my 2 cats are young and chase each other and wrestle, which should keep their weight stable. I take the dog for regular walks off leash in the woods, so she does get exercise. She's just a total pest and glutton where food is concerned.

 

[Big Fat Facets]

@winnietucker

good job on your cat's weight loss. it can't be easy limiting food to a begging cat...

for now both my sweet kittys are at a healthy weight. BUT they sure LOVE to EAT and BEG for food ALL the time.

 

[missy]

Gracie and Oliver would eat 24/7 if we let them. They are food obsessed. Seriously. And during meal times they have to be put into their playpen away from Tommy and Bobby because as soon as the food comes out they become wild and ferocious and growl and eat super fast and then want to eat the others' food. Unless you see it in person you wouldn't believe it. 30 plus years of having cats in my family and this is the first time I ever witnessed something like this. Crazy.

So we have to separate them from Tommy and Bobby three to four times a day and it isn't easy. We can never go away again. I mean after Covid because no one would be able to do this multiple times a day every day. Sharing a sort of funny but not funny video of one of their (tame) meal times.

And I swear they are well fed. We do not starve them. And on top of it this video is a tame one. IRL they generally are much worse with the jumping and the crying and the overall crazy factor. Oliver eats paper and towels and latex gloves (PICA?) etc and I have had him checked numerous times. Blood work and other tests and all show he is fine. He just eats anything he can. My sister said that some cats are just like that. Especially some rescues. It's exhausting and worrisome and we have to constantly watch him and be super careful not to leave anything out that he might be able to eat.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Gracie and Oliver would eat 24/7 if we let them. They are food obsessed. Seriously. And during meal times they have to be put into their playpen away from Tommy and Bobby because as soon as the food comes out they become wild and ferocious and growl and eat super fast and then want to eat the others' food. Unless you see it in person you wouldn't believe it. 30 plus years of having cats in my family and this is the first time I ever witnessed something like this. Crazy.

So we have to separate them from Tommy and Bobby three to four times a day and it isn't easy. We can never go away again. I mean after Covid because no one would be able to do this multiple times a day every day. Sharing a sort of funny but not funny video of one of their (tame) meal times.

And I swear they are well fed. We do not starve them. And on top of it this video is a tame one. IRL they generally are much worse with the jumping and the crying and the overall crazy factor. Oliver eats paper and towels and latex gloves (PICA?) etc and I have had him checked numerous times. Blood work and other tests and all show he is fine. He just eats anything he can. My sister said that some cats are just like that. Especially some rescues. It's exhausting and worrisome and we have to constantly watch him and be super careful not to leave anything out that he might be able to eat.

OMG !!
My mouth hit the floor
i shouldn't be laughing
Im sorry
Considering Tibby was a starving stray when we took him in he has really beautiful manners and will stand back and wait if Borris wants to get bit##y and go for his food
we put her plate by the mircowave where he won't jump up so he doesn't eat her biscuits as we have him on the urinary track health ones

Howeber temptations cat lollies are another story

But for regular meals he's quite happy to turn up at the door if he's hungry
he is looking trim again as he's been running around outside a lot and ive knocked off giving him a snack at lunchtime
i have 4 little (kind of big) stray kittens who have moved in at the back door im trying to tame then so i can take them to the spca - im afraid due to budget restraints they get store brand wet food in the morning and store brand biscuits at night
I leave the biscuits on the washing machine so Tibby doesn't eat them - its not that he can't jump up on things - its just that he doesn't - yet he can shimmy up the back fence in about half a second
Tibby is very good with them and will walk past them having their food to come inside to his plate - he gets the same for his breakfast - but Borris hisses and growls like a banshe and the kittens just want to play
The long haired tabby will run up to Tibby and they cat kiss - even the ginger tom kitten he isnt bothered by
These are terrible pictures but its 11.23 pm and i don't want to disturb them
one has made a bed from some cat towels sitting on a moving box i had in the tub, the other is on a plastic outdoor chair i leave for Tibby if we are out and it rains - the ginger one is in the cardboard box bed in the porch and the long haired tabby i think was on Borris' old chair - the rain tonight is coming from the other direction

Borris is being a naughty girl and dad will growl if he sees her on the printer


Sorry to go off on a tangent and also sorry for my dreadful pictures

 

[Big Fat Facets]

@missy

wow! ive never seen anything like that!! gracie and oliver are, literally, bouncing off the walls and ceilings!! They are both vigorous in their enthusiasm for meal time. I had to view the clip, twice

 

[missy]

@missy

wow! ive never seen anything like that!! gracie and oliver are, literally, bouncing off the walls and ceilings!! They are both vigorous in their enthusiasm for meal time. I had to view the clip, twice

It’s unbelievable really. If I didn’t live it multiple times a day I wouldn’t believe it. All I can say is I am grateful it’s Greg and I, and not someone else, who adopted them. Because with all we’ve been through with them and continue to go through I am quite certain they would have been either abandoned or given back to the rescue groups. But we shall persevere because they are living beings and deserve a good life. And we love them though they try me at times. Especially when they chase Tommy. That is a serious issue and we are doing all we can to dissuade them from bothering Tommy. Not successful yet but we are not giving up.

 

[Big Fat Facets]

It’s unbelievable really. If I didn’t live it multiple times a day I wouldn’t believe it. All I can say is I am grateful it’s Greg and I, and not someone else, who adopted them. Because with all we’ve been through with them and continue to go through I am quite certain they would have been either abandoned or given back to the rescue groups. But we shall persevere because they are living beings and deserve a good life. And we love them though they try me at times. Especially when they chase Tommy. That is a serious issue and we are doing all we can to dissuade them from bothering Tommy. Not successful yet but we are not giving up.

sigh...

may the powers that be supply you both with continued love, compassion, empathy, and patience. Its got to be rough, at times. i can see that. thank you for showing us a bit of it, to help us understand. I agree that an ordinary household might not be able to accommodate that level of enthusiasm. continued blessings to you both and your 4 felines

 

[missy]

sigh...

may the powers that be supply you both with continued love, compassion, empathy, and patience. Its got to be rough, at times. i can see that. thank you for showing us a bit of it, to help us understand. I agree that an ordinary household might not be able to accommodate that level of enthusiasm. continued blessings to you both and your 4 felines

Thank you for your kindness and compassion. I very much appreciate that.

 

[AlRoss0908]

My cat is also a bit overweight, and we have to diet together.

 

[yssie]

It’s unbelievable really. If I didn’t live it multiple times a day I wouldn’t believe it. All I can say is I am grateful it’s Greg and I, and not someone else, who adopted them. Because with all we’ve been through with them and continue to go through I am quite certain they would have been either abandoned or given back to the rescue groups. But we shall persevere because they are living beings and deserve a good life. And we love them though they try me at times. Especially when they chase Tommy. That is a serious issue and we are doing all we can to dissuade them from bothering Tommy. Not successful yet but we are not giving up.

Both Oliver and Gracie are so very very lucky that they found their way to you and G, Missy darling


I'm reasonably confident most people would have given up on our Garett. His bowel issues... He's never been great with the litterbox, but for the past five years it's been one episode of diarrhea after another. Everywhere. On furniture. On floors. On the bedsheets. His bowel control leaves every specialist we take him to baffled. We've talked about diapers for years, but he'd just rip them off and eat them... This is probably TMI, I know.

The worst part is that his issues make the other boys nervous, so they mark. So now we're cleaning up #1 and #2 constantly. Like, literally, my first waking hour every day is dealing with cat litterboxes, cat accidents, and showering. At least with WFH we can stay on top of accidents during the day, rather than coming home to all manner of ick. We choose flooring and furniture that's waterprooof and wipeable. We keep floor vents covered at all times. Our wall trim is semigloss - it's aesthetically bizarre, and I hate it, but it's our only realistic option.

We got him as an eight week kitten - thirteen years ago. The other day I told my other half that when he's gone we can finally have nice things. I felt horrible right after I said it - he's got cancer, and we'll do everything we can, but we know the clock is ticking in a very real way. We love him SO much, and he's such a sweetheart, and there isn't an ounce of malice in him. But he is exhausting.

 

[missy]

Both Oliver and Gracie are so very very lucky that they found their way to you and G, Missy darling


I'm reasonably confident most people would have given up on our Garett. His bowel issues... He's never been great with the litterbox, but for the past five years it's been one episode of diarrhea after another. Everywhere. On furniture. On floors. On the bedsheets. His bowel control leaves every specialist we take him to baffled. We've talked about diapers for years, but he'd just rip them off and eat them... This is probably TMI, I know.

The worst part is that his issues make the other boys nervous, so they mark. So now we're cleaning up #1 and #2 constantly. Like, literally, my first waking hour every day is dealing with cat litterboxes, cat accidents, and showering. At least with WFH we can stay on top of accidents during the day, rather than coming home to all manner of ick. We choose flooring and furniture that's waterprooof and wipeable. We keep floor vents covered at all times. Our wall trim is semigloss - it's aesthetically bizarre, and I hate it, but it's our only realistic option.

We got him as an eight week kitten - thirteen years ago. The other day I told my other half that when he's gone we can finally have nice things. I felt horrible right after I said it - he's got cancer, and we'll do everything we can, but we know the clock is ticking in a very real way. We love him SO much, and he's such a sweetheart, and there isn't an ounce of malice in him. But he is exhausting.

@yssie Garett is a sweetheart and so lucky he has you and your DH. All your cats are. I am so sorry Garett has cancer and I know every moment with him is precious. Despite all the hard work you guys do every single day. I get it. Every single word. It is all worth it.

I read your post out loud to Greg just now (after we spent the last 45 minutes taking care of the cats first thing this AM...part one and we have more to do after we eat breakfast and have coffee and I think I might have emailed you a few months ago detailing it all) and Greg and I feel for you. Our hearts go out to you. Only other animal lovers who have dealt with exhausting issues like that can truly understand.

Before Fred died, throughout his last few years, he wouldn't/couldn't use the litter box. Like you we took him for many tests and evaluations but the answer was unknown. We lowered the litter boxes (maybe it was due to his arthritis), changed to different ones, all for naught. We accepted it. We were lucky because most of it wasn't diarrhea though it was very loose much of the time and occasionally diarrhea most of it wasn't too bad. TMI sorry. And we were able to finally figure out he would go on wee wee pads. So we got them at Costco (still have so many left too...we miss our Fred so much) and put them all over the house and he would generally use them. Sometimes he wouldn't. But mostly he did use the wee wee pads though he missed and some always got onto the wood floors. And we were also lucky and so thankful the other cats still used the litter box. We were very fortunate despite it all.

Old age and/or illness isn't pretty. In humans and furry babies. It's hard work. We love them. They are our family. We do all we can to preserve and improve their lives while they are with us. And they are with us for far too short a time. Oh what I would give right now to have Francesca back with us. I wouldn't care what I had to do if she could be with us and have a good quality of life with us. I miss her so so much. Every day and every night I still mourn for my sweet little girl. The pain I feel still intense. What I would do to have her back.

(((Hugs))) to you J and to your DH too. And hugs to all your furry babies and especially big but gentle hugs to Garett. Your furry babies know love and security and safety and comfort and they never go hungry or cold. That is everything. So many cats cannot experience the same. So many unwanted and unloved animals who never know a moment's peace or comfort or love. Thank you for caring for your babies they way you do. XO.

 

[AlRoss0908]

I’m so glad to hear that people are taking care of cats and other pets. I’ve seen so many cases when people are torturing poor animals. I am trying to rescue them and find a new home for them. And it is so heartwarming when someone has a lot of pets. I also saved my cat, and now she looks at me with the saddest eyes when I am eating an ice-cream or something delicious. We used to share all the delicious things together, especially ice-cream, cream cheese, and some creamy desserts. Now, things have changed for both of us. I and my cat, we are both on a diet and no ice-cream for us. We are both overweight and need to get fit to look more attractive. I’m trying to do some workouts, sometimes take a walk from my work back home, and also eat healthily. I found online a healthy weight loss program, and I’m looking forward to the result.