when has a cat "filled out" to much?

othie

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I've noticed Mai Sai is starting to grow a bit of a belly. When we got him from the shelter he was a bit on the thin side, not to the point where I thought he was sick, but as if, well, he came from a shelter. At first this seemed good, and if he was another cat i wouldn't worry about it much, but he is half saimese (sp?). He himself is solid gray/silver but his sister (who was adopted before I was there) I am told looked full siamese. I thought he had the build of a saimese, though he is growing quiet long. Now his belly is getting alittle more...well alittle lower, though its not overly round....

Should I be watching how much food he gets? At the moment he is getting one can of wet food every other day and his fill of dry food (we have a dish we keep filled for both the cats). He is only 7 months old, so I dont want to risk his health by cutting it down to much....

What do you think?
 

meowers

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have you weighed him?

This sounds silly, but took me awhile to figure out. Stand on a scale to get your own weight. Then weigh yourself again while holding the cat. The difference is what the cat weighs. For a 7 month old, he should weigh about 7 pounds I think.

Holly was very thin when I got her, and has since been a little over what I think she should weigh, but not too fat IMO. Once they are neutered/spayed they tend to gain weight easier too. I wouldnt feed a weight controlling food. just get him to be a little more active and feed a good quality food. If you think its a medical issue, the vet is only a phone call away.
 
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othie

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Originally Posted by Meowers

have you weighed him?

This sounds silly, but took me awhile to figure out. Stand on a scale to get your own weight. Then weigh yourself again while holding the cat. The difference is what the cat weighs. For a 7 month old, he should weigh about 7 pounds I think.

Holly was very thin when I got her, and has since been a little over what I think she should weigh, but not too fat IMO. Once they are neutered/spayed they tend to gain weight easier too. I wouldnt feed a weight controlling food. just get him to be a little more active and feed a good quality food. If you think its a medical issue, the vet is only a phone call away.
we just took him to the vet were he was weighted. He weights 7.8 I'm sorry I should have writen that down. thank you the advise, I think your right about the weight controlling food.
 

optionken

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Most likely if you cut out the dry food and just feed canned no gravy, you shouldn't have to worry about a weight problem
 

yosemite

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Actually, what you are describing sounds to me like "spay sway" Bijou is a full Siamese (Traditional) and weighs in at around 18+ lbs and his sister Mika is 8+ lbs. They both have the hanging tummy near the back legs. This is quite a normal happening.

Weight issues would be measured more by the profile of their back and whether they have a nice "waist line" so to speak.

Although Bijou is heavy, he is not abnormally overweight. He is large but very muscular. True he could lose a couple pounds, but he is vey solid.

Can you get a picture of what you are describing?
 
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othie

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Originally Posted by Yosemite

Actually, what you are describing sounds to me like "spay sway" Bijou is a full Siamese (Traditional) and weighs in at around 18+ lbs and his sister Mika is 8+ lbs. They both have the hanging tummy near the back legs. This is quite a normal happening.

Weight issues would be measured more by the profile of their back and whether they have a nice "waist line" so to speak.

Although Bijou is heavy, he is not abnormally overweight. He is large but very muscular. True he could lose a couple pounds, but he is vey solid.

Can you get a picture of what you are describing?
I would if I could, but I'm still a few posts away from being able to send pictures, but yes, thats what it sounds like...I had no idea that was normal, thank you
 

spudsmom

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Originally Posted by Yosemite

Actually, what you are describing sounds to me like "spay sway" Bijou is a full Siamese (Traditional) and weighs in at around 18+ lbs and his sister Mika is 8+ lbs. They both have the hanging tummy near the back legs. This is quite a normal happening.

Weight issues would be measured more by the profile of their back and whether they have a nice "waist line" so to speak.

Although Bijou is heavy, he is not abnormally overweight. He is large but very muscular. True he could lose a couple pounds, but he is vey solid.

Can you get a picture of what you are describing?
My Siam topped out at around 16 lbs at his healthiest...about a year and 1/2.
He was a Lynx point Siamese mix. He had the spay sway also, but he also was very long and had very long legs. He didn't really look fat, just had a "hangy"
When I had him sent to the Rainbow Bridge from cancer, he was 9 lbs and was very thin, 9 lbs doesn't sound thin, but it was for him. I think Siamese just are a long muscular breed and can handle their wieght very well.

Everyone give their cats a big smooch from me tonight. I miss my Siam so much and I'm worried about my baby Thai. Love your babies!
 
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