what happened to my kitten?

My little kitty, Fiona, just turned 1 and suddenly she seems like an old cat! Firstly, she has gotten a little fat, which I know I know is totally my fault for letting her eat all day. I think I will start giving her food a few times a day (suggestions?). Also, she used to play all the time, she has a little crinkle ball that she adored and now she doesn't want to play ever. She just sleeps and sleeps which I know is normal, but she seems ot sleep more than before.

On another subject, I have considered getting her fixed, but I don't know if I should. She doesn't seem to go into heat, so I don't know if she just hasn't matured enough yet or what. Any advice on any of my issues? Thanks!

Yes get her fixed.. Also exercise her

It is a good idea to seek a vet's opinion before going on a diet. Weight gain can happen when free feeding however so maybe cut back. Also dry food is more fattening so give her wet food more often. High quality food too.

About spaying. It greatly reduces the risk of her getting cancers when she is older for one. It also will prevent her from getting Pyometra which I believe is life threatening and treated with spaying.

One personal account I will share. Our cat Kinks was spayed after a year old, going on 1.5-2 years. Turns out, she had cysts on her ovaries. If we hadn't had her spayed, we wouldn't have known and that could have turned into cancer or caused major problems.

If she is a year and hasn't gone into heat yet, that would be very odd. I guess possible but I have never heard of that. Are you keeping her inside at all times? She can get pregnant even when she isn't in heat and with multiple litters at once. If she were to get out, she WILL get pregnant.

Please spay her. If my reasons don't help convince you, I don't know what will. The risk of cancer would change my mind in a second.

yes I would spay her. I would also talk to your vet prior to putting her on a diet. Otherwise, she stands a good chance of getting ill if you put her on your own self-imposed crash diet.

My cat also has cysts on her ovaries and got really sick really fast from them. It also cost three times as much to spay her because of it pogressing so quick. If you were already considering it I'd do it now as opposed to waiting. Secondly, as mentioned above, has she gotten out at all? Is it possible she is pregnant now? If you never saw a heat cycle and she got out she could be pregnant now and that would exlain the weight, the xtra sleeping and the not being interested in her toys. You may want to get her checked even if you don't think she got out!

Thanks for the advice...she's never been out so there's no chance she's pregnant, but I am going to schedule her to get spayed. I know its a good idea I have just been procrastinating (BAD I KNOW!!!) Don't worry, I won't take away her food!

Just a hint to save your future sanity - don't start feeding her 10 times a day (or a lot of times) because she'll expect it and drive you nuts. Two or 3 times is good - ours get 2 main meals (canned + dry) and 1-2 mini ones (just dry, or else people tuna, piece of crumbled cheese, etc.).

People tuna is not all that great for cats to eat continuously. If you want to feed them tuna, Solid Gold wet food is very close to people tuna.

Cheese isn't great either. Generally, table scraps and people food should be avoided. I think cheese would be the same as milk where they might not be able to digest it well and cause diarrhea. I mean, once a week or every other week is one thing, but daily, naaa not a really good idea.

The longer she goes without being spayed, the greater her chances of getting cancer. Plus one day you'll wind up with a pregnant cat cause you don't think she will try and get out.

Get her spayed. Do not leave food out 24/7 - give her a measured 2 meals a day. If she doesn't eat it within an hour, then take it away and wait till the next meal and offer again. She will learn to eat when the food is offered.

And get some new and interesting toys - they do get bored with the same toy. Try one of those laser lights - mine go nutz over them but again, don't use the toy constantly.

I have read a lot of articles on the importance of neutering/spaying your pet(s)...and even though it's been repeated a lot on this thread-it should be done!

Originally Posted by Larke

Just a hint to save your future sanity - don't start feeding her 10 times a day (or a lot of times) because she'll expect it and drive you nuts. Two or 3 times is good - ours get 2 main meals (canned + dry) and 1-2 mini ones (just dry, or else people tuna, piece of crumbled cheese, etc.).

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I just want to second this, it's very true. When Cindy was having some minor medical problems and not eating for a couple days, I was worried. When on the third day she woke me up at 2:00 AM to tell me she was hungry, I was so happy I got up and fed her. It's taken me several weeks to get her to not come and wake me up so early! She still does wake me up, but now it's closer to the time I normally feed her if I'm not up already (6 AM).