Problems have popped up....

Both Orei and Princess are overweight. Orei is 12 pounds, and Princess is 14. Princess is a small cat, with a huge belly. There is a sagging bit between her legs. Orei also is sagging. They both eat Max Cat for overweight cats. Its low calorie. Orei refuses to excercize. What should I do to get the two back in shape?

Also, Princess's anal opening seems to be infected. Its red, and dirty. I tryed cleaning things up, but she seems to be in too much pain.

I would say stop feeding kibble and investigate homemade, protein-rich, properly supplemented diets. And, if not homemade, premium, meat-based prepared foods. Standard kibbles are full of carbs that the metabolism of an obligate carnivore isn't really suited for.

Originally Posted by Ilovecats

Both Orei and Princess are overweight. Orei is 12 pounds, and Princess is 14. Princess is a small cat, with a huge belly. There is a sagging bit betwen her legs. Orei also is sagging. They both eat Max Cat for overweight cats. Its low calorie. Orei refuses to excercize.

What should I do to get the two back in shape?

Also, Princess's anal opening seems to be infected.

Its red, and dirty. I tryed cleaning things up, but she seems to be in too much pain.

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I would take Princess to the vet. For Orei, does he not play with any toy at all? Will he play with any ball toys at all, will he climb for something he wants? The blitz turbo scratcher is good even for an unenergetic cat, simple balls toys that can be chased are ping pong balls, or for tossing for him (cats like that too) try crinkeballs or simple pompom balls - easy for him to pick up and carry after he's "captured it".
Try toys for wrestling with - I've recently been working to slim Miss Alix down as she had become alarmingly plump - she loves to rabbitkick and wrestle with toys such as kirbysticks, crawly critter - any toy with some length and flexibility to it will do. And she has slimmed down gradually on a mix of wet food, though mainly nutro natural choice complete care weight management. We've also been testing new wand toys that she likes...these get her leaping a bit, which is great exercise...try to find a wand Orei will respond to...they come with catnip stuffed toys on the end, feathers, toys with squeakers and ribbons..there are a bazillion different wand toys and feather teasers out there...or simply get a peacock feather and tickle his face with it...if he's like most cats, he'll swat at the offending feather...and voila, a bit of exercise...even better if it makes him get up and stalk off then he's moving!

I'd consider placing his food up or down - a basement, or upstairs bathroom, so he must move to get to his food. I'd stop free-freeding if you are, and since dry food gives a range i.e. feed x amt to x amt. if cat is 11-15 lb.s, go for the lower end of that recommended amt to feed - divide it into two feedings per day.

If you can, try decreasing the amt. of dry, and add in instead a good quality canned food (good quality means few carb's, mainly protein from meat/poultry/fish sources versus corn gluten meal).

Jenny although Rosie and Sophie play with their toys, Stephanie sent them one of those cat dancers and they both love it. Theres pictures of them playing with it in their thread in fur pages.

You can sit in the comfort of your chair watching t.v. holding onto it while the cats jump about after it!

Like Pat said, Kirbysticks are great... Baylee loves them! And I have yet to find a cat that can resist a Cat Dancer... both toys are cheap and fabulous! Good luck!

Originally Posted by portdevoix

I would say stop feeding kibble and investigate homemade, protein-rich, properly supplemented diets. And, if not homemade, premium, meat-based prepared foods. Standard kibbles are full of carbs that the metabolism of an obligate carnivore isn't really suited for.

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That sounds like a good idea. Do you have any recipes?

I have some idea for feeding insted of free feed. How about taking the bowls away, and then take the cats into a hallway, and flick food across the hall. They would run to place to place to get the food. Does that sound okay? Orei takes one swat at wands. That is pretty much it.

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Like Pat said, Kirbysticks are great... Baylee loves them! And I have yet to find a cat that can resist a Cat Dancer... both toys are cheap and fabulous! Good luck!

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Thanks!

Originally Posted by Ilovecats

I have some idea for feeding insted of free feed. How about taking the bowls away, and then take the cats into a hallway, and flick food across the hall. They would run to place to place to get the food. Does that sound okay? Orei takes one swat at wands. That is pretty much it.

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I've done that with Baylee before... have them chase after the kibble? Try and see if it works... I'm sure they'll love it - it's like a game! I'm also sure you'll get fed up after a while, lol!

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

I've done that with Baylee before... have them chase after the kibble? Try and see if it works... I'm sure they'll love it - it's like a game! I'm also sure you'll get fed up after a while, lol!

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Yes, exactly! I hope they like it. Some people think chubby kitties are cute, but I think its sad.....plus they get sick easier.

Originally Posted by Ilovecats

Yes, exactly! I hope they like it. Some people think chubby kitties are cute, but I think its sad.....plus they get sick easier.

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Well you're doing good by being concerned and trying to help them get a bit more exercise. I was horribly offended when a vet's assistant asked if my cat was fat... or just pregnant. Excuse me, neither. She's just got that flab underneath that makes her look pudgy... but the vet did say that while she's fine, she wouldn't want her to gain more (unless she grew more).

Anyway, I've started running up and down the stairs with Baylee (helps me workout a bit too), playing with the cat dancer or a feather wand toy, tossing a toy with her while I'm watching TV... it's FUN, even if it doesn't help your cat lose weight!

It didn't work... They just sat and stared....then walked up very slowly, and ate it. Finally they got scared of the flying kibble. Perhaps I should wait till they're hungry? I just took they're "free lunch" away. Maybe a less discracting room? Maybe I should try the same game with treats? Not as healthy, but they will go for it.

Any other exercize ideas?

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Well you're doing good by being concerned and trying to help them get a bit more exercise. I was horribly offended when a vet's assistant asked if my cat was fat... or just pregnant. Excuse me, neither. She's just got that flab underneath that makes her look pudgy... but the vet did say that while she's fine, she wouldn't want her to gain more (unless she grew more).

Anyway, I've started running up and down the stairs with Baylee (helps me workout a bit too), playing with the cat dancer or a feather wand toy, tossing a toy with her while I'm watching TV... it's FUN, even if it doesn't help your cat lose weight!

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It should help the cats lose weight though. Ugh.... Baylee isn't fat, she's beautiful! Much thiner then my two.