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- Mar 5, 2013
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I have two male indoor cats and they're not cooperating with my weight loss strategies for them thus far. The younger one (Prowl, 3 years old, 33'' from nose to tip of tail, built like a tiger, destructive, chews on things, breaks things accidentally, wouldn't hurt a fly) is only slightly overweight while the older one (Sylvester, 6 years old, 26, championship napper, complete bully, good health, too fat to groom certain areas, knocks stuff off tables if he's grumpy) is definitely obese. I started to limit their food, but I'll admit I have no idea what I'm doing. Their food (generic grocery brand, right now I'm too poor for the good stuff) says to give around 3/4 cup - 1 cup each to cats that are 12+ lbs, so I've been giving them a little less than 1.5 cups between them, hoping for a slow but steady weight loss. Neither will eat wet food or meat so switching away from dry food isn't really an option. I've bought every toy imaginable but Sylvester ignores them and Prowler will play with it until it breaks.
Anyways, after nearly two months, Prowler is down half a pound and Sylvester is up a pound. Syl is fiercely guarding the food and if I try to separate them and feed them at "meal times" Prowl panics since he's separated from Sylvester and Sylvester will gulp the food down as fast as he can and throw it up later. I can't feed them even ten feet apart since Syl will just follow Prowl between the bowls and keep him from eating. He's not violent, Prowl is just a wimp.
I don't know what to do. Syl is very unhealthy right now and the vet has checked to make sure its not caused by a disease. He needs to lose 5+ lbs before he gets sick, but I'm afraid to limit the food too much for Prowl's sake. Prowl only needs to lose a pound or so to be healthy. Prowl had urinary problems a year or two ago, but he's fine on any food for now. I think it was due to stress at that time.
Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with obese alpha cats? Or on a cheap food that helps with weight loss? I know I can put a little food in a Kong wobbler and Prowl will be the only one with access, but unless I keep it stocked 24-7 he will literally keep knocking it over when its empty until it breaks. He's broken three thus far.
Anyways, after nearly two months, Prowler is down half a pound and Sylvester is up a pound. Syl is fiercely guarding the food and if I try to separate them and feed them at "meal times" Prowl panics since he's separated from Sylvester and Sylvester will gulp the food down as fast as he can and throw it up later. I can't feed them even ten feet apart since Syl will just follow Prowl between the bowls and keep him from eating. He's not violent, Prowl is just a wimp.
I don't know what to do. Syl is very unhealthy right now and the vet has checked to make sure its not caused by a disease. He needs to lose 5+ lbs before he gets sick, but I'm afraid to limit the food too much for Prowl's sake. Prowl only needs to lose a pound or so to be healthy. Prowl had urinary problems a year or two ago, but he's fine on any food for now. I think it was due to stress at that time.
Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with obese alpha cats? Or on a cheap food that helps with weight loss? I know I can put a little food in a Kong wobbler and Prowl will be the only one with access, but unless I keep it stocked 24-7 he will literally keep knocking it over when its empty until it breaks. He's broken three thus far.