Is Twinkie too fat?

Twinks is a Main Coon. Love his furry feet.

The vet said 18 lbs is fine for such a long big bones cat, but he looks fat to me. I think he gained a pound or so because we now mix the Hairball Formula Iams with Iams Kitten. We had to because the kitten prefered the adult cat food, and they all inseparatable. All three cats line up together to eat.
Any ideas on how to separate cats meals without upsetting them? I dont think its possible, but I dont want my cat to be unhealthy.

Twinks is magnificant! I don't have any answers for you - but had to tell you how gorgeous your babe is! I have a Maine Coon mutt kitty and she also weighs 18 pounds. Tried the Eukanuba restricted calorie for her for about 6 months and she only lost 1/4 of a pound! I just gave up!

I am moving this to the health and nutrition forum for you - you will get some real help there!

This is something I have heard:
To check to see if a cat is over-weight, gently stroke along your cat's sides, and apply slight pressure with your fingertips. You should be able to feel the cat's ribs easily. If you can't feel the ribs at all, it means that the cat is probably over-weight. I have also heard that you can stand over the cat while it is standing up, and look to see if there is a waistline.

oh my gosh!!!!!! that is one fat cat! 2 of my cats are fat like that. my fault, i keep food down all the time. i try and play with the biggest to help him loose weight, but he is so lazy. he is just 3. anyway, your cat is beautiful. the rib thing is true. you should be able to feel them. not see them. i can't help it, i loooooove big fat cats.

As far as I can see from the pic, I think your cat is fat... May I ask why you give kitten food to him? He surely can't be a kitten anymore, I HOPE!

I also thought that my cat was overweight ; so I went to see the vet last week . The vet had a good look at my cat and said it is a beautiful ,and also a very large and long cat !!
He has a hanging belly , but that's because he is "fixed" ...!
He weighs about 8,5 kg . I give him light dry food in the morning and in the evening . At noon , he gets a small can of wet food :tounge2: .
So , no worries about overweight !! He is healthy , and that's the most important thing !!!!

WOW!!!!BIG KITTY!

Twinkie has a hanging belly, and thats mostly what led me to believe he is fat.
I can feel some very cute ribs in that, and that tickles him!
I also have a 4 year old female and a 6 month old kitten. Thats why I mix the food. These three are absolutly inseperable!

From what we can see in the picture, I think most of us agree your tabby is tubby.

But if you're not sure, your vet can tell you.

But I have to say, a kitten on regular food is healthier than an overweight cat on kitten food.

My tubby is 21 pounds but got a clean bill of health from his vet.

He does look big in the picture. Although it could very well be the way he's laying. Go with what Lorie suggested and if you're vet feels that he's at a good weight then I wouldn't worry about it.

Cooie is really big! I guess its true everything is bigger in Texas!
So, I should just switch all the gang back to regualr adult food?
Ok, will do, should I give the baby vitamins? If so, what kind?

Well.. From that photo I would say that yes your kit looks fat

Do you have a better one, try to take one of you standign above her, while she's standing up, so we can see her true form.

Here a better view of Twinkie. He was really so tiny when I first brought him home. He was less than 5 weeks old and fit in my hand.

Ohh I love that mane... you've got da poof!

From that photo he doesn't look so bad

I would say your kitty is a bit fat. I have one kitty that is very obese, but it is because of her severe and early abuse that she is that way. The vets finally determined that her leg muscles and stomach muscles were to damaged so she walks and her belly sways. Her name is Dunkin, and if you like, you can read about her story here.

Dunkin's story

We just basically let her be who she is. She has already lived 9 years beyond what was predicted.

Oh Hissy, I love that site! I bookmarked to look at more later. Wow, Dunkin is a true survivor! And what great photos! She actually doesn't look that heavy. I love that laundry basket photo!

Dear God, whatever made us think we were "above" the animals as long as such vile bags of flesh as that have 46 chromosomes.

God bless little Dunkin. And God help mankind.