Large firm belly - fat baby or health issue?

Me and my husband took in this adorable stay about 5 months ago. She was probably 3-4 months old at the time. Since then, we've gotten her spayed, de-wormed and up to date with her shots. She's very active, around us but skittish to visitors, loves to eat, chases our other cats around and overall seems normal.

There's just one thing that I've never really came to terms with. She has a rather large and very firm belly. I've taken her to the vet once regarding this issue. The vet examined her and gave her a clean bill of health, but I'm still not so sure. It could be my paranoia but everything I've read about firms bellies is not good. She is not pregnant because she has been spayed.

I need some expert advise. What should I do? She acts completely NORMAL, is not lethargic in anyway, meows a lot for attention and does normal cat like activities. I've also read that if it was parasitic, her spine would be very exposed. When feeling for her spine, they are slightly hidden; indicating that she is indeed a little butter ball but I've had a fat cat before, his belly was big but also soft and saggy, not firm like punching bag. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Dancelot

Dancelot said:

Me and my husband took in this adorable stay about 5 months ago. She was probably 3-4 months old at the time. Since then, we've gotten her spayed, de-wormed and up to date with her shots. She's very active, around us but skittish to visitors, loves to eat, chases our other cats around and overall seems normal.

There's just one thing that I've never really came to terms with. She has a rather large and very firm belly. I've taken her to the vet once regarding this issue. The vet examined her and gave her a clean bill of health, but I'm still not so sure. It could be my paranoia but everything I've read about firms bellies is not good. She is not pregnant because she has been spayed.

I need some expert advise. What should I do? She acts completely NORMAL, is not lethargic in anyway, meows a lot for attention and does normal cat like activities. I've also read that if it was parasitic, her spine would be very exposed. When feeling for her spine, they are slightly hidden; indicating that she is indeed a little butter ball but I've had a fat cat before, his belly was big but also soft and saggy, not firm like punching bag. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Dancelot

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How are your kitty's eating habits? Does she seem to eat excessively? I know a firm belly can be (not saying it is, just can be) a symptom of FIP, but usually there are other symptoms involved, I believe. Hopefully someone with more experience in this area.

Hi Donutte,

She does seem to eat excessively. If you heard her, it almost sounds as though we haven't fed her in days. She does eat a lot of her wet food and also hard food. She will also finish leftovers if the other two cats leave them.

I did not know what FIP was so I just googled it. From the sounds of it, she would show signs of depression, lethargy and also weight loss - which is definitely none of Quinn's current behavior (Quinn is the kitty in question). I hope someone can shed some light.

Thanks,

Dancelot

If she's been dewormed recently or declared parasite free, I would look at her diet.  It could be that she's just overweight or needs to trim down a bit.  She's almost a year old and so should be transitioning to adult cat food.  I would recommend that you feed her mainly canned food and supplement with dry. 

stephanietx said:

 
If she's been dewormed recently or declared parasite free, I would look at her diet.  It could be that she's just overweight or needs to trim down a bit.  She's almost a year old and so should be transitioning to adult cat food.  I would recommend that you feed her mainly canned food and supplement with dry. 

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Hi Stephanietx,

I wouldn't say recently, unless 5 months is recent? Maybe so... but her stomach is just too firm to be considered fat. Like I said, I've had a fat kitty before and his sagged down like a "fat pack" per say, not firm like a balloon. Maybe I'm just paranoid. I can certainly start monitoring her eating habits and allow her to eat only her portion and not the other cat's. Diet could be the issue. If it is, that's an easier fix.

Thanks,

Dancélot

I would get a stool specimen to the vet for a parasite check just to be sure that's not an issue.