Freddie goes Diet
We weighed Freddie yesterday and he came in at a whopping 7 kg (15 1/2 lbs). So it’s time for Freddie to go on a diet, which basically means less of his favorite cat food and no left over tomato sauce – he loves home made tomato sauce.
The expression he shows in the image on the right, taken in his slimmer days, was basically the one he had when I gave him the news.
Of course he swears it has nothing to do with indulging himself in premium cat food, leftovers, treats or a lack of physical activity and that it’s all the genes from his father’s side.
Any tips on how I can resist the pitiful stares I will get when I dare to eat something?
17 Comments
I think he would like some more camera time, he doesn’t appear much in the videos anymore.
Stupid question: Can you calculate his BMR and TDEE? How will you keep track of his fat loss, with calipers?
Yup there is its more visual. Check out petfit.com under training and e-tools
ahhh do YOU feed Freddie or is he self fed? Our cats (6) have a community dish that is always full only ONE is over weight all others are trim and fit. The one that is overweight does not play a lot.
So if YOU feed Freddie than I dare say its YOUR fault. Cut back on the food like you would with a person say a few less grams a meal. Also if the cat is in the senior stages they do not need as much calories so cutting back or changing the type of food is required.
Also have LOTs of water (a fountain is a cats best friend) Running water will always encourage the ca to drink more.
Lastly greens. Yep cat are not just carnivores they do like green (no veggie per say). Our cats like cat mint, cat grass, etc… They eat eat and it takes time as well to mow through it. Just double check that it is not poisonous. If you cat likes cat nip keep a bag full of the herb with some cat toys in it. Once in a while remove the cat toy and let Freddie play.
Same can be done with a laser pointer. Cats love to chase those. Just be mindful they can over heat. If the cat is panting STOP.
Lastly which I really don’t recommend unless you are just getting a cat is always get cats in pairs. This way they can be self entertained during the day when you are not home.
We have one very old cat and one, from the same litter Freddie is from, that is very small. Those two usually get a go at the “community dish” first. But it’s really hard to track who eats how much.
And oh yes, they keep themselves entertained; it’s just that Freddie will partake in the entertainment for about 20 minutes and then resort to watch the others 🙂
Kitty leash? Freddie can walk you around the neighborhood :D. Maybe do some sled pulls?
I can only hope no one from Peta will watch if I take up that suggestion 🙂
Forgot to add
http://www.weightlossforall.com/pet-cat-weight-loss.htm
and
http://www.thepetcenter.com/article.aspx?id=3401
You basically have to be strong.
I adopted my dog (lab-rottie mix) when she was 9 years old, and very fat. Her back end was as wide as her front end!
I have stripped over 20 pounds off her, and adjusted for a couple metabolism changes as she ages. We weigh her every week. So if she is trending up over 3 weeks, I cut a quarter cup from one of her two meals. (Obviously with a cat you’ll have to scale the adjustment amount.)
The first week is rough. She will lay beside her bowl in the vane hope it will refill itself. You must remain strong, and not give in. Your pet will adjust.
The only treats she gets are with medication, and a bone or meaty treat once a week. No scraps at all. Praise and affection are the best treats IMO.
Pet nutrition and weight loss are a lot like that for us, the difference is we are imposing it upon a creature we can’t explain it to. 🙁
Good luck.
Oh yes, these metabolism changes are important to look out for. Our oldest cat, Daisy, is now fourteen and she has lost weight. She isn’t very active anymore and we resort to feed her with more frequent small portions.
And true words about the explaining! You are so right! 🙂
Our eldest (18) was in the same boat. She stop eating due to bad teeth (common issue) once removed she had a hard time gaining weight. Vet suggested to provide kitten food as treats it has worked very well. Also cheaper than regular treats.
Cats should be one of the most easily ones to go without food (one would think) since they are hunter which means going without a meal for a few nights. Just saying reduced calories shouldn’t be that rough except the first week.
Freddie: If you are reading this, Evil isn’t that bad of a guy he knows what’s best…. and since you are on his computer don’t even think about hacking into his emails and AskScooby account.
I think Freddie is hacking the account to get mail order food. ;P
To be honest cats are creatures of habit so reducing qty but maintaining the type and frequency is required else you get a very annoyed cat that will sleep on your head.
Hm, that explains the premium cat food pallet arriving here yesterday!
I’m hungry!
-Freddie
Did you take before pics?
Oh, I should have!
But on the other hand I never took any of me either, so it would be unfair of me to subject Freddie to it 😉
Can’t take freddie’s shirt off though..