Update on Tonka and how much weight loss before you increase food?

[jmalasiuk]

I posted this in the L&L board, but to get a wider range of thoughts on ideal kitty weight, I'm cross posting here:

Just got home from a very long shift out of town and opened the door to find two very happy cats.

Tonka appears to have forgiven me for having all but a couple of his teeth removed last month (I'm bringing him into the vet for a follow-up tomorrow when they're open to see how he's been healing up) and is eating very enthusiastically. Actually, he acts like he's starving. But his blood sugars seem to be good. I tested him when I got home last night and he was 90, and this morning he was at 82. So, for a cat in remission who's almost a month past his dental, he's reading a touch higher than many, maybe he just tends to run a bit higher. The monitor that I use for him (Bravo - one of the newer ones available in Canada) does tend to read a touch higher than my old OneTouch that we used before. It's also supposed to be more accurate though (10% rather than 20% from true), so who knows. Either way, he's back down from where he was shortly after his extractions when he was no doubt in a lot of pain.

So thank you all again for all your help and advice in getting him to this point! You have no idea (well, you probably do) how much better I feel in leaving him and Teeger with our very loving and attentive (but reluctant to BG test) catsitter when I have to go away, now that he is diet controlled. I was quite terrified of the prospect of being away for much of the field season this year when I was getting him better regulated on the insulin over the winter. Getting him OTJ is such a blessing. And his legs are almost back to normal. With the exception of him getting his lip caught on his one remaining canine tooth from time to time (so undignified! poor guy), he seems quite back to normal, although slimmer than he was this time last year, before his diabetes set in. This seems to be a healthier weight, though, since he was a very stocky cat before.
I weighed them both this morning: Tonka (Mr. OTJ diabetic, toothless wonderpuss of a trouble cat) is 13.4 lb, a touch down from where he was a month ago, but only by a few ounces; Teeger (Mr. hyperthyroid, almost as toothless, poking, purring snugglebug) is 12.6 lb, also a touch down but only by a few ounces. How much weight fluctuation (percentage wise) is considered normal (this amount doesn't seem out of that range to me, yet), and when should I be concerned that they're losing weight again and maybe offering them a bit more/higher calorie food? Tonka is doing well on the food being offered so I don't want to mess with that when I'm not going to be around regularly to monitor unless it becomes concerning...

 

[BJM]

What does he weigh and what should he weigh?
There are some pics of body conditions scores for cats on the web. If he is underweight per those or your vet, start small and just add a teaspoon or two of food to each meal.

 

[jmalasiuk]

Last weight was 13.4 lb, down from 13.6 a month ago, so really not much of a difference. And according to the vet, based on his size and frame, his ideal weight is about 12 lb, which they laughed at at the time (he was a very solid 16+ lb at that point). I think he's a healthy weight - It's just that he seems so hungry right now. But his blood sugar levels are good, so it might just be that he wants to gorge for gorging's sake

 

[BJM]

Ideas:
Add a tablespoon or two of water to the wet food if not already doing that.
Spread thinly across a wide plate to slow down the consumption.
Freeze some of the meal to be eaten as it thaws.
Use a timed feeder to portion out mini-meals so he never gets too hungry.

 

[jmalasiuk]

Thanks BJM - I'm already spreading his food out, but I'll give the other ideas a shot. I'm starting to think that he's just trying to guilt trip me into not leaving the house again

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

Hi Jordi,

A fellow Canuck here. Just wanted to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed Tonka's OTJ party . What a wonderful video giving those of us who are still trying to get our kitties regulated hope. I am going to tell another Canadian member to have a peek at your video. With all that talent, no wonder you managed to get Tonka to OTJ! I am gobsmacked! Got to study Tonka's spreadsheet and get some pointers. What a beautiful kitty Tonka is!

 

[jmalasiuk]

I can't take any credit for the OTJ video - that was made by the very talented Camille. And getting him OTJ was thanks in very large part to the guidance I received from the folks on this board. That, and he is just a lucky cat, overall. Good luck to you and Menace too

 

[George-66]

Well done with the diet. My cat is still on his diet with a similar goal to yours. Reducing the calories was not too hard but getting him to exercise is an effort....