weight loss plan

[ericbakes]

Hello, everyone. I haven't been on these boards for quite a while because Melville's diabetes under control. I'm coming here today to ask about my other cat, Baxter, who is overweight.

Baxter is big cat, but at 15 pounds, he's too big. I would like to see him at 13 pounds. After Melville got sick back in December, I put all the cats on a low-ish protein diet (Frisky's Turkey and Giblets). After getting Melville under control, I began to focus on Baxter. I was surprised that he didn't lose any weight after switching from dry food, so I (very, very) slowly cut him back from 240 grams per day to 190 grams per day. This was over the course of 4 months, and he hasn't gained or lost a pound. Instead, he bounces around between 15.0 and 15.4 pounds. Much of this variation I attribute to having a flaky scale.

Based on an online calculator, Baxter is eating about 169 calories per day. According to a formula on Dr. Lisa's site, he should be eating 247 calories per day (to achieve 13 pounds). I'm worried about going much lower, but I want to start seeing some progress on his weight. Even a few ounces per week would be good.

By contrast, I feed Melville 210 calories per day, and he is maintaining 14 pounds just fine.

I would love to get some advice or hear your experiences with putting a kitty on a diet. Any thoughts?

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Does he get any excercise? Just like people, it can be that it isn't just the calories. I have bird feathers on a wand that my cat will chase; he also loves the laser. Oliver was my chubby one. For him, I found one of the treat balls. You set it so he has to chase or around the room to get it to release a treat. He would do anything for a treat....

 

[ericbakes]

I'm not sure how to gauge his activity level, but I would say he spends 95% of his day sleeping or lazying around, 2.5% playing with the other cats, and 2.5% walking on my laptop while I'm trying to watch Netflix.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

Dr. Lisa just posted updated food charts, which might help. Can you find a food that has low carbs, but less calories from fat? I would think Turkey and Giblets would be pretty low on fat, but not sure. The calories you are feeding him do sound pretty low, and I'm surprised he's not losing weight. More exercise might be your best option.

I would say he spends 95% of his day sleeping or lazying around, 2.5% playing with the other cats, and 2.5% walking on my laptop while I'm trying to watch Netflix.

:lol: :lol:

Another solution....watch more Netflix and get him to do more walking!

Carl

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

Dr. Lisa does say that the formula on her website is generous, and many cats may need less food than what it comes out to be especially if they have lower metabolisms.

Another thing that may help is a higher protein, lower fat food. I was having all sorts of issues having Bandit lose his last couple lbs until I switched to Merricks. Their Cowboy Cookout and Surf and Turf are excellent for weight loss!

And more exercise, definitely. I like to take Bandit for walks on his leash/harness a few times a week in addition to playing with him with his toys.

 

[ErinCarpenter]

Julia,
How did you get Bandit to walk on a leash? I tried it with Eddie when he was a baby but he wasn't having any part of it. I would put the harness on him and he would just fall over on his side and lay there. I would love to be able to put Eddie on a leash, especially since he will now be going camping with us since his diagnosis (we have a trailer, so he'll be safe and warm).
I'm having a little issue with the weight loss too. I need to get Eddie from his current 14lbs to 12lbs. Eddie was 14lbs 13oz at his first vist on 9/08/12, then 14lbs 4oz on 9/15/12. But since then he has only lost 1/2 on ounce. I cannot exercise him much because of the neuropathy (its pretty bad). I may try the Merricks food and see how much he loses on that. Where can I get the Merricks without having to buy a case of it? The Petco by me only sells it in a case (24 cans). I want to be sure Eddie will eat it before I buy that much.

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

How did you get Bandit to walk on a leash?

It takes some time and effort, and you have to do it in steps. First I got him acclimated to the harness by giving him a treat every time we put it on. He loves to go outside so that also worked as motivation for him to tolerate it. For a while, I alternated with just a collar & leash to get him used to being outside because he was clawing at me some times when we tried to put the harness on. I wouldn't recommend just the collar if you're leaving your property or out on the leash without your direct supervision, but it works in the beginning to get them motivated to be outside with you.

You want a long leash--in the beginning, the cat walks you more than you walk the cat. Gradually, you start nudging them in a direction with something that grabs their attention--I bring a small can of treats and shake them. Some people train their cats with a clicker. Once you have his attention, you start walking and he'll follow. Then he'll get curious about something and lead you in another direction.

You NEVER pull or yank on the leash, even lightly, to try and get your cat to go somewhere. That will cause the cat to get agitated and not want to move.

Here's a good article on the subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/garden/training-a-cat-to-walk-on-a-leash.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Where can I get the Merricks without having to buy a case of it? The Petco by me only sells it in a case (24 cans)

Use the store finder on the Merricks web site: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/find-our-products/. Most towns and cities have one or more independently owned pet food and farm supply stores that sell it for WAY cheaper than the chain stores. Most offer discounts or coupons if you buy a case at a time. For example, a can of Cowboy Cookout at Petco is about a $1.60 something a can, but it comes to $1.12 a can at the Ithaca Grain and Pet Supply after a 10% case discount, and $1.04 a can after $5 off coupons I get every month from my local Agway. That means it's cheaper for me to feed the Merricks than Fancy Feast. Call around, ask for pricing and if they offer case discounts.

You should be able to get a single can anyplace that sells it; they also have 3 oz cans.