Overweight rescued Feral

Its been a little over a year since my orange male feral friend became an inside cat.  His name is Kitty.  Kitty lived on the streets for about 2 years until he found me.  It took me 8 months of caring to induce him to come inside.  As I was moving, I knew I was his only hope to live-so he was coming with me.  I have used this site for tips throughout the process of gaining his trust, and then for the final move to an inside fury.

I adore my Kitty.  He is the only pet I have and receives my full attention.  I still see his feral ways daily, which are all fine by me.  Here is where I need guidance...

Kitty just keeps gaining weight.  I monitor his food, so that he receives only 200 cals a day(no treats/human food). He refuses to switch foods, and would rather starve.  Playtime is rough as very little holds his attention.  Kitty acts as if he is retired. My vet keeps suggesting play activities, none of which are working for him.  I have no stairs, so that is not an option. FlashLight play will not work as he runs thinking it is car headlights.

I am and would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions.

What are you currently feeding him and when? And what different foods have you tried already with him? How overweight is he? Can you post a picture of Kitty for us please?

Welcome, and so glad you have found TCS helpful! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thank you for your concern....I just took this photo of Kitty, in one of his fav spots.  As he is retired....he enjoys a good "sit".  

He is 15lbs 7 oz.  He just gained an oz a month for the last 3 months.  He is on "Good Life" 1/2 cup dry a day and 1/2 container of purely fancy feast (not canned).  He can have no grain/soy and limited chicken due to stomach issues.  He gets 1 tbs of pumpkin each night.  He has no worms....as I have had his stool examined several times.

The list of no-grain fish first ingredient dry food I have tired is endless.  They have all been donated to the local shelter.  

Any thoughts on enrichment activities I could engage him with.  

I do appreciate suggestions-

He's very handsome, and looks quite content! I don't see how you can cut his intake much more without him "feeling hungry." And you're right, it does seem that activity level is the real issue here. Once a former feral or stray comes inside, and gets spayed or neutered, they do tend to gain weight because they are no longer foraging and fending for themselves. It's as though their metabolism shifts. I've had this experience myself, and I was never successful at getting them very active again either once they "retired."

Will he chase a toy attached to a string/stick?

Walks in a harness would be a solution, but I doubt he would stand for being put in a harness.

I'm hoping some others will weigh in with their thoughts and experiences. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thank you for your kind words about Kitty.  He is very handsome/beautiful and so content.  I promised him if he came with me I would take care of all of his needs.  He held up his end so its up to me to take care of my end of the deal!  

I have tried toy on a string....toys that move...balls etc etc.  He has a few favs but he tires of them so quickly.  No harness, but as I live on a second floor condo, I do take him for walks each night in the interior Hallway which is very secure.  He enjoys a good bug whenever one gets inside which seems to be his only extended excerise. We want nothing to do with Cat furniture, tunnels etc.  

I am up for attempting any suggestions!

I don't have too much to add, but how many calories is he receiving in the dry food?  I recently discovered that one of my indoor cats was gaining a bit of weight.  I was a bit stumped.  Then I looked at the calorie content of his dry food.  That was the culprit.  It had so many calories and is much harder to digest than wet food.

My indoor boys received 1/2 (5.5 oz can) can per day and 1-1.25T. ( yes tablespoons) of dry food.  1/2 cup seems so much.  Yet I have no idea how many calories are in that food. 

I aim for my indoor boys to have around 180-190 calories per day.  They both are 10-11lbs. 

I feed Wellness canned food and Wellness Healthy weight dry.

This maybe where I have to research further---he is at 200-220 cal total per day. 1/4 cup dry in the morning 1/4 cup dry at night  (160 cal ) along with 1/2 pack of wet and pumpkin (40 cal).  I may cut dry a bit more in the evening with hopes it holds back the weight gain.

my thanks

Tara Higgins said:

 
This maybe where I have to research further---he is at 200-220 cal total per day. 1/4 cup dry in the morning 1/4 cup dry at night  (160 cal ) along with 1/2 pack of wet and pumpkin (40 cal).  I may cut dry a bit more in the evening with hopes it holds back the weight gain.

my thanks

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I would give more wet food and much less dry food.  That is way too many calories of dry food.