crashed metabolism

nebula11

nebula11

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with all these overweight kit threads it got me thinking about my poor Emmet

hes overweight.....but according to the vet its not my fault.....

Emmet was starved by his previous owner....i mean literally starved...it was disgusting....when we got him he was a year old and about 4 pounds.........

I thought he was going to be a little bitty thing forever...but then he blew up.....our old vet said this was due to the damage done to his metabolism when he was growing........

the only time he has lost weight was when he was hospitalized with the crystal blockage....and that was because he refused to eat for a week cause he was so sick.......

but once back on a regular feeding schedual he ballooned right back.....we have tried diet food...smaller portions, more activity...but his weight is stable...

I understand what the vet said.....but after reading all the diseases that can afflict a cat due to excessive weight....i just dont want to lay down and say..."oh well"

doofus is a perfect weight....mabby is petite, and poppy is a bit under weight....but emmet is overweight.......

emmet is on a special crystal dissoulution wet food....but we monitor that as well......

so any ideas......anyone ever heard of a "crashed metabolism"

thanx
 
cloud_shade

cloud_shade

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I haven't heard it called that, but I know that one of the cats at my boyfriend's house came to them a tiny starved kitten and now weighs 17 pounds. Some of the foods used for urinary crystals can also cause weight gain, so that might be part of the issue as well. Crystals can be deadly very quickly, so I would talk to your vet before even considering a food change. You may want to ask about wet foods though, as they can help the urinary tract as well as help the kitty feel full (because they are mostly moisture).
 
dawnofsierra

dawnofsierra

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With his Vet's approval, I, too, would advocate a wet food diet for Emmet. Have you considered trying maybe increasing his activity level? Perhaps you could get out his favorite interactive toys and have a few daily play sessions. This would be fun for you both and could get him moving to safely work off a little of his excess weight.
 
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nebula11

nebula11

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Yeah the dissolution formula hes on now is a wet food.......

i usually mix it with dry food...maybe thats the issue....

he is very active for a "big" kitty....but i guess a little more activity wont hurt...


Thanx for the advice guys...i appreciate it
 
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dr. doolittle

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I think with the right diet and excersise any cat should be able to get back to a normal weight. I would talk to your vet about a reducing diet. Most of the prescription diets are formulated for maintaining urinary tract health so once he is finished with the course of dissolution food you should be able to put him on a reducing diet. (I am currently using Medi-Cal's reducing formula on my fatty and I think she's losing!
I did a taste test at my house and she preferred it over the other brands) When you talk to your vet you should also choose the amount to feed based on your cats IDEAL weight, not the weight he currently is. Your vet should be able to help you guestimate what that weight would be.

Once you have chosen a food and a portion size feed your kitty 2-3 times per day (daily amount divided into 2 or 3 meals) and be strict. Treats count! Most commercial pet treats are very high in calories so you really have to limit them. Medi-cal makes a low cal cat treat. Pat&Alix may be able to give you more suggestions on other treats out there for fat cats.

Since your vet thinks your cat has a metabolism problem you should also ask about the Hills m/d diet. It is higher in protein and lower in carbs and designed to boost the metabolism of overweight cats. Both the MC reducing and the m/d come in dry and wet. I agree with the previous post about wet food being better. I would try to feed at least 1/2 wet and 1/2 dry. The more wet the better. Just remember to cut back on the amount of dry when you start mixing wet.
 
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nebula11

nebula11

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Originally Posted by Dr. Doolittle

I think with the right diet and excersise any cat should be able to get back to a normal weight. I would talk to your vet about a reducing diet. Most of the prescription diets are formulated for maintaining urinary tract health so once he is finished with the course of dissolution food you should be able to put him on a reducing diet. (I am currently using Medi-Cal's reducing formula on my fatty and I think she's losing!
I did a taste test at my house and she preferred it over the other brands) When you talk to your vet you should also choose the amount to feed based on your cats IDEAL weight, not the weight he currently is. Your vet should be able to help you guestimate what that weight would be.

Once you have chosen a food and a portion size feed your kitty 2-3 times per day (daily amount divided into 2 or 3 meals) and be strict. Treats count! Most commercial pet treats are very high in calories so you really have to limit them. Medi-cal makes a low cal cat treat. Pat&Alix may be able to give you more suggestions on other treats out there for fat cats.

Since your vet thinks your cat has a metabolism problem you should also ask about the Hills m/d diet. It is higher in protein and lower in carbs and designed to boost the metabolism of overweight cats. Both the MC reducing and the m/d come in dry and wet. I agree with the previous post about wet food being better. I would try to feed at least 1/2 wet and 1/2 dry. The more wet the better. Just remember to cut back on the amount of dry when you start mixing wet.
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Thanx will do...I appreciate the advice...he has his yearly in a couple of weeks....so I will discuss it with the vet then.......We also have a different vet now because we moved.....this is a feine hospital...which i thought to be more benificial...because they would know more about kits ya know.....

thanx again
 
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