NationStates Jolt Archive

My cousin is quite active in the Animal Rights' movement, is a volunteer at the ASPCA, and seemingly cares about animals more than people.

So recently, he came over and was telling me some horror story of a cat which had to be euthanized for obesity; it weighed in at something like 27 pounds, and couldn't move itself at all.

Suddenly concerned, I decided I'd check out my own cat, who is erm, plump, shall we say.

My cat weighed in at 26.5 pounds on my home scale :-/
She's quite content, healthy enough, can still climb a ladder to make it out of the house (We've got a system set up with a ladder to a cat window so we don't have to have a litter box.), and doesn't seem to be in any discomfort given her erm...excessive weight.

Does owning an obese cat make me a bad pet owner?

Does owning an obese cat make me a bad pet owner?Does having an obese child make you a bad parent? In some cases yes, in some cases no. But in the end, it's also the kid's own responsibility.

My cousin is quite active in the Animal Rights' movement, is a volunteer at the ASPCA, and seemingly cares about animals more than people.

So recently, he came over and was telling me some horror story of a cat which had to be euthanized for obesity; it weighed in at something like 27 pounds, and couldn't move itself at all.

Suddenly concerned, I decided I'd check out my own cat, who is erm, plump, shall we say.

My cat weighed in at 26.5 pounds on my home scale :-/
She's quite content, healthy enough, can still climb a ladder to make it out of the house (We've got a system set up with a ladder to a cat window so we don't have to have a litter box.), and doesn't seem to be in any discomfort given her erm...excessive weight.

Does owning an obese cat make me a bad pet owner?

Yes. Put that cat on a diet.

Yes.

Yes.

Why?

Why?

Your cat can't help eating what you give her. She doesn't know any better. :(

Not necessarily. I have four cats, three of normal weight and one who is obese. They are fed the same diet and have the same opportunities for exercise. It was found that the obese cat is hypothyroid (quite rare among cats). She is on medication, but still has trouble losing the weight. There are reasons, other than neglect, for such problems. As a caring pet owner, I know that you will try to have a vet check them out.

I picket PETA meetings. How ironic.

Not necessarily. I have four cats, three of normal weight and one who is obese. They are fed the same diet and have the same opportunities for exercise. It was found that the obese cat is hypothyroid (quite rare among cats). She is on medication, but still has trouble losing the weight. There are reasons, other than neglect, for such problems. As a caring pet owner, I know that you will try to have a vet check them out.

Wow, this is nearly the same situation.

I've got 4 cats. Theres sort of a "Feed yourself," system, where we feed a jug up and it'll last the 4 cats a few days, then we fill it again.

I have one very skinny cat, who seems to always be eating, 2 normal cats, and my obese cat, who I'm hypothesizing is actually part anaconda; she tends to eat large quantities infrequently compared to the other two.

Overweight? Yes, more than likely. Obese? Maybe not. How tall, and long, is your cat, and what kind is it? These are important factors in determining ideal weight for animals.

Srsly dude. That cat needs a diet. And I say this as a cat owner.

It's not abuse per se, but you really aren't looking after your animal properly if you've let him or her get so fat. It's not healthy, and the animal won't be as happy as it can be.

(Unless your cat is like massive huge tall).

I'm not saying you don't love kitty. But sometimes true love means saying no.

Take your cat to a vet and have him/her recommend a good diet. I don't think overfeeding your cat (assuming that's the problem) makes you an "animal abuser" so long as you stop doing it upon finding out it's a problem; just don't keep stuffing the poor kitty!

Overweight? Yes, more than likely. Obese? Maybe not. How tall, and long, is your cat, and what kind is it? These are important factors in determining ideal weight for animals.

Erm...calico. Roughly 14" not counting tail, 10" high.

Edit: I haven't actually measured, these are pretty rough guesses.

Overweight? Yes, more than likely. Obese? Maybe not. How tall, and long, is your cat, and what kind is it? These are important factors in determining ideal weight for animals.

17lbs is obese for a big cat.

Erm...calico. Roughly 14" not counting tail, 10" high.

Edit: I haven't actually measured, these are pretty rough guesses.

Calico is a coat color, not a type of cat. Measure your cat properly and speak to a vet, they'll give you the guidelines.

I'm guessing it's an indoor cat. They have more problems in this respect.

Erm...calico. Roughly 14" not counting tail, 10" high.

Edit: I haven't actually measured, these are pretty rough guesses.

Hold on, let me get a tape measure.

Edit: She's 18 inches long, head to base of tail, 14 high.

I'm a terrible judge of a curled up lump of fur on a couch:)