Fatty Liver Disease?

I've read some stuff about fatty liver disease and how bad it is etc. But I'm wondering what experiences people have had with cats who had it and what not. The stuff I read kinda seemed like it was trying to scare people, and not that this wouldn't be scary if it happened to your cat, but I just want to hear some first-hand knowlege.

My cat is overweight and I'm trying to get her to lose some of it, but haven't been having much sucess so far. I am going to take her to a vet soon and can ask them too. Anyways, right now I just want some non-professional info etc. etc.

Thanks alot!

My Tucker died of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) in February. In one week he went from running around and playing with the other cats to not eating, jaundice and ultimately death. We never could find a primary cause. He was a year and a half old. He was overweight too.

It is an awful thing to go through. I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to keep a close eye on their cats eating habits and to take them to the vet asap if they refuse food over a 24 hour period. (if they refuse food at all they should be seen, IMO...but if 24 hours passes, they need to go immediately)

I suggest trying to get your cat to exercise more, feathers on a pole work well. You want them to lose weight slowly when they are overweight. Of course, feeding a good diet and not allowing free feeding helps too.

Thank you for your advice, I've been regluating her food consumption to feeding her once a day. She has been eating, which is good, but hasn't lost weight. I'm going to make an appointment for next week. And I'm sorry for your loss it seems to have happened really quickly and I can understand how surprising that can be.
best of luck.

Please do readjust your cats meals, cats cannot cope with just one meal a day, unlike dogs. You would be best to split it into smaller meals, and dont reduce the food by more than 15% or you are risking health issues. Exercise is just as important as food reduction, and you can also combine the two, such as making them work for their food - throwing dry food piece by piece, raising their food, hiding dry food etc.

Originally Posted by booktigger

Please do readjust your cats meals, cats cannot cope with just one meal a day, unlike dogs. You would be best to split it into smaller meals, and dont reduce the food by more than 15% or you are risking health issues. Exercise is just as important as food reduction, and you can also combine the two, such as making them work for their food - throwing dry food piece by piece, raising their food, hiding dry food etc.

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One feeding at night pretty much does last her for almost 24hours until her next feeding. Her bowl is on top of the cat tree and I do have food toys (like a waterbottle with holes cut out to make food fall out slowly.) around if she needs. In other words, she doesn't eat her entire meal the moment I put it out. Which I think is good.

You may find she will lose weight slowly by changing her over to wet food twice per day with a small measured amount of dry food for nibbling during the day.

Bijou was getting pretty hefty so I started feeding him wet food with small measured amounts of dry. Dry food if full of carbs and fillers and often is the cause of overweight cats. Wet food is also much healthier as they get the moisture they need and don't get with dry food. Cats often don't drink enough water so the wet food helps counteract that.

Whatever you do, please do not put your cat on a diet without consulting with a vet.

Originally Posted by Yosemite

You may find she will lose weight slowly by changing her over to wet food twice per day with a small measured amount of dry food for nibbling during the day.

Bijou was getting pretty hefty so I started feeding him wet food with small measured amounts of dry. Dry food if full of carbs and fillers and often is the cause of overweight cats. Wet food is also much healthier as they get the moisture they need and don't get with dry food. Cats often don't drink enough water so the wet food helps counteract that.

Whatever you do, please do not put your cat on a diet without consulting with a vet.

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