New Cat

Friday I went to my vet's to bring home a stray that they have been taking care of since June. She's healthy, but she is OBESE! She weighs 17 lbs and should weigh about 7lbs! She's on a diet...when she came to the vets she actually weighed three pounds more! I'm going to get her a harness and have her walk in the AM with me and the dog. I'm also going to look into the two of us having our tummy tucks done at the same time! LOL!

Good luck with that harness! I know that every cat I have tried with a harness has refused to walk with it. They just lay down and refuse to move! You may have to drag her!

Just curious if it is a cat or a kitten for age? If the harness deal worksout let me know and I will try that for my cat for exercise reasons as my cat weights 22 pounds - smile - good luck Ann!

Well....I wouldn't DRAG HER! LOL! I don't know if it will work or not. I'm going to let her adjust to her surroundings for awhile before I try it. She's getting more exercise now by going up and down the stairs. Our house is bigger than the vet clinic, where she just kind of stayed in one spot. So, her exercise is increased. They estimate that she is about 6-7 years old. She was found wandering outside of a motel in Niantic...for about three weeks. Someone had owned her before as she was spayed and declawed (UGH!). She is settling in nicely here and our three dogs and other cat are starting to accept her presence in our home.

Hi Ann! I am so glad to hear that you're giving the stray a wonderful forever home! I think that the weight will come off with a diet that's managed by one person as well as the exercise. I can easily see the employees at the vet clinic giving her treats and bites from their lunch on top of her regular food. At least that's what happens with our lab kitties. I would hate to weigh Marvin in particular, what a MOOSE!!! He is easily in the mid to high 20's. And we know better!!! Oh, well, he is very loved! And it sounds like your little stray has found a wonderful home too! By the way, on the harness thing. Work at it inside the house first, let her walk around with just the harness on for few days until she gets very used to it. She'll either do the freeze thing or absolutely freak out. But mine got past it and now walk nicely. It takes persistence and time, that's all. Don't let temper tantrums sway you. Get her playing too if she will that'll also work off weight. Good luck with her, and keep us posted. What have you named her? Take good care! Heather

Actually, the vets office staff were able to get three pounds off her...she weighed 20 lbs when they got her! OUCH! I had thought about the approach to the harness thing and had decided that the way you suggested is the way I'll try. Slow and steady. I'm keeping the name(s) that the vet's had given her....she has three of them: Petunia, Miss P (that's what I call her) and Sibyl (because of her multiple personalities. She really is sweet. Last night she climbed up on my lap for a few minutes. As I said, slow and steady. Now we have our eye on a 13 year old at the Second Chance Sanctuary. We have to give our dogs and the cats a chance to settle in first and then we'll go get her.

Poor little kitty!! Or, poor big kitty! My aunt used to have a cat (nasty thing named "Punkin") that she used to put out on the leash & he would wander around. She used to walk him occasionally, although Punkin was also an obese cat. They have those foods out there now that are specialized for critters on diets, so that's a good first step. Perhaps your exercise could consist of chasing the cat around the house, teasing it! As they get older it is harder to keep the weight off (just like the rest of us!). But you've done a wonderful thing in adopting her; she'll have someone to look out for her now. We want to get a kitty as well but haven't asked the anal rententive landlord yet. Hopefully it's in the future. Lord knows neither one of us is home enough to be able to get a dog! Enjoy! Kathy F.