Do you say something to others

When their cats are overweight?

Or do you just assume they're aware of it?

We went to a BBQ the other night with coworkers of my roomie and they had three kitties! On was a brown tabby with white who was just... round... another was this big black cat who was either round under all the fur or she ate a balloon... and then third was this delightful little patched classic tabby (silver, brown, red? I dunno, was still pretty young though). The kitten was in good shape, but the older cats were huge!

I didn't say anything, especially when she mentioned that the oldest tabby was a seizure kitty that she'd taken in when the former owners threw the cat out because of the seizures and the kitten she found outside...

Do you say something? Or do you mind your own business?

I don't say anything. It isn't my business. It would be like me walking up to someone and saying "Geez! Your kids fat!" or telling them that they're fat. It's rude.

I will say something, just because most people don't know it's bad for cats to be obese. Cats can't go to the fridge to over-eat, they are being supplied the food by their owners.

There are plenty of ways to do this tactfully, by suggesting dietary changes to help the cats have a more healthy diet.

I have to my brother. I told him they will die young if something isnt done about them being obese.

You could use humor. Try googling for "fat jokes".

Yes, not just 'in theory I would', but 'I have done so'. We have a friend who we don't see that often and when we were invited around to his place we met his very beautiful and soft-coated cat, who also unfortunately looks as if she swallowed a beachball. She's getting on in years and both Nate and I gave our friend a lengthy lecture (you know there are friends who will take that and people who won't, judge the way you approach any situation depending on how well you know the person involved!) about diet and nutrition and the risk of diabetes in obese cats. I am pleased to report that she has since lost a little weight!

I am a little overweight myself, that is my doing and mine alone, but I think it lessens the blow a bit when I hint to someone that they are overfeeding their pet and laugh about having a bit of excess weight myself with the comment that I am intelligent enough to know that I should try to lose a bit of weight but a cat doesn't think that way and we have to help them to keep healthy and fit

I mind my own business. I think it's like when people tell others they're overweight. I find it rude & insulting. My cat is overweight, I know she is. I absolutely hate it when people say "Oh, she's a...really...big cat" & don't mean it in a nice way. Some people joke around & I don't mind. Those people that look down upon her, or me as her owner get on my nerves. She's on a diet, & she's healthy, so I don't want to hear it.

I guess it depends on how close of friends you are..But I think the owner must know if their cat is overweight and it is not my business..I take care of my own cats and I feel it is the same as saying your kids are fat or you are fat. Just my opinion, though.

D & D's Mum

It's like telling a friend they're overweight, the truth is they dont need to be told. My friend has a very overweight cat, when I dared to mention it I found out his diet is very regulated (vet visits, recommended food etc) and nothing shifted the fat, it's a health problem that the vet cant seem to help.

What do you do if you have more than one cat though? My Dude is a chunky guy, getting close to borderline overweight (though nowhere near obese I hasten to add!) but Pipsi is borderline underweight, how do i get her to eat more and him to eat less?!

I have the same problem with my 2 cats. Pandora is as skinny as a bean pole and Thor is a big sack o'taters. I feed them separately and give him a little bit less (he practically inhales it anyway) and watch to make sure he doesn't eat her share.

She seems not to eat much when they were both sharing a plate because Thor would "throw his weight around" and knock her right out of the way

I have to say I understand both points of view. On one hand, no one wants to be called fat, on the other hand it is controllable and very bad for kitty's wellbeing. The owner most certainly does see that their cat is overweight, but they may not know they can do something about it like switching to scheduled meals, cutting down dry food, getting kitty some exercise etc.

Since your friend already noted that the one cat had medical problems, I probably would have asked if the weight was linked to treatment for the seizures...more than likely that will open the door for the discussion...tread carefully though

They may be one of those folks who just like fat cats.

i don't know if i would say anything or not. i guess, like others have said, it would depend on how well you know the person. i have a chubby kitty and EVERYONE who meets him says "wow that cat is fat!" that really hurts my feelings. i would never do something so rude as that. it would be easier for me to start a discussion about a chubby kitty since i have my own, but it would depend on the situation.

i know my kitty is overweight. i am trying my hardest to get him to lose weight. i used to be part of the spca back home and every time the manager would see my chubby guy she would say to me "you know you are killing your cat!" i have been working with vets for years to get him to lose weight. now he is on a strict calorie-counted diet and is SLOWLY losing weight, i think. i just can't seem to get the weight off.

I have a friend who is a sweet guy and he loves his kitty. And his kitty is the sweetest, friendliest, dumbest cat I have ever met. But his cat is fat. He isn't disgustingly fat. After all, he's a huge cat anyway! But he's definitely fat... And I know my friend feeds the cat Science Diet.

So I have been carefully slipping my friend links about feline nutrition and health, then getting into discussions and debates with him about why people should feed their pets different things. This way, he learns about how he might help his kitty without me pushing things down his throat! He's a very smart guy and LOVES to read and argue about things, so we get to have fun and he gets to learn!

I did find out that his kitty has had UTI problems in the past, and the vet has him on Science Diet C/D dry food. I am hoping to discover (through research and recommendations) a wet food that will be safe for a UTI prone kitty so that my friend can combine wet and dry and help his chubby cat lose some weight. I'm afraid the kitty will end up with diabetes or something.

So yes, I would tell them! But sneakily.

With most people I bite my tongue. I *want* to say something, but it would come off as rude and preachy so I don't. My in-laws have a fat cat, and I tell them all the time, but that is a different relationship...they're like my own parents. I've finally got them feeding their cats measured amounts at least.

Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

I will say something, just because most people don't know it's bad for cats to be obese

Click to expand...

And many seem to be in denial that their cat is overweight, passing it off as just being a big kitty.

I don't say anything because Andrea is a plump kitty. She had so much fat around her middle that when she got spayed, the vet removed quite a bit. She puts weight on very easily, and has very high exercise needs. Her vet checks are all fine, so healthy so far, but it's a real challenge with some cats.
However, since your friend's other cats are also plump, I suspect they are getting more treats that should be allotted. I think that the Dog Whisperer's theory also works for cats - give exercise instead of fawning attentions and treats. It's alot more work ,but better for our furbabies

Originally Posted by Forensic

When their cats are overweight?

Or do you just assume they're aware of it?

We went to a BBQ the other night with coworkers of my roomie and they had three kitties!

On was a brown tabby with white who was just... round... another was this big black cat who was either round under all the fur or she ate a balloon... and then third was this delightful little patched classic tabby (silver, brown, red? I dunno, was still pretty young though). The kitten was in good shape, but the older cats were huge!

I didn't say anything, especially when she mentioned that the oldest tabby was a seizure kitty that she'd taken in when the former owners threw the cat out because of the seizures and the kitten she found outside...

Do you say something? Or do you mind your own business?

Click to expand...

Okay, so the couple are coworkers of your roommate. How well do you like your roomie? Are they coworkers or superiors? Do you value your roommate's friendship and are both your names on your lease?

The couple rescued a sick kitty with seizures when the owners didn't want her. Since the cats are obviously loved and taken care of, it is up to their vet to tell them.

Don't get involved. It is not your place, no matter how much you love cats.

I've been known to say something to people that I know ( I flat out told my boss that her cat was way over weight but we're friends as well so she took it well) others I've just started talking about my kitties and slowly started a conversation about kitty health and slid in how important a cats weight really is and let them figure it out themselves

It depends how big they are?. Some think my kids are fat, but my vets said their ok so i'm happy at hearing that.

If they were so fat that they could hardly walk like some videos that's been found and put up on the site here, then i would say something, but apart from that no i wouldn't.