Senior Cat questions
 

Is there a certain age at which even formerly slim cats just start to get pudgy?

I'm a little concerned that my Midnight, who is 11, has been putting on weight. She was so thin when we got her from the SPCA (about 10 years ago) that she was pretty much a stick-figure drawing of a cat.

I am taking her to the vet for a checkup next week... just to get his opinion.

Could be she's just beginning to resemble her owner.

My old cat has the opposite problem - he's a bony old man, now. Kind of like DH!

There's special food for senior kitties. Like us, she may be less active and eating the same amount. Some laser toy playing or other fun could help over time.

I would have her thyroid checked. If that is underactive, it will cause weight gain.

Vet trip is well worth doing....and maybe a change of diet to a seniors formula as moonwalk suggested. Ours tend to eat small and often as they age. Also make sure she is drinking enough, sometimes kidneys can be under strain as they age/gain weight.

I am taking her to the vet for a checkup next week... just to get his opinion.

Could be she's just beginning to resemble her owner.[/QUOTE]

This reminds me of when we got our Poms and the vet trips each year. Every year the vet would look from the dogs to the 'owners' and then make remarks about taking care of them because there are dire consequences down the road for obese pets. Reference was also made about getting more exercise because the vet didn't think our dogs were getting much. Said if owners were overweight, pets are generally overweight too. Grit my teeth and pay the bill. (They hated being on a leash and walking. Insisted on being carried after about half a block. But they do run in our fenced in yard daily.) Fast forward 8 years later and the dogs are on special Urinary food and no dog treats. They have lost a few pounds and are below their ideal weight. Maybe if their 'owner' started the same diet the pounds would drop off too. Like humans, when pets get older and move less, the pounds can creep on real fast.

Cats do get diabetes. Glad you're taking her to the vet.

I'd go along w the theory of being like their owners. I have 3 indoor cats, the smallest weighing in at 16 lbs. and I won't tell you my weight!!

I had a senior cat ( age 14). He kept loosing weight, so much so that you could see all of his bones. Vet said older cats tend to have thyroid problems and my had a hyperthyroid which increased his metabolism beyond control. Heart beat was over 200 and he died of either a heart attack or a stroke which vet said would happen.

My cats were around 18 and 20 when I lost them. The chubby one stayed chubby and the thin one stayed thin, so I woud have your kitty checked.

I lost my lovely Lulu when she was 23 and had complete kidney failure
I'm glad you're having yours checked by the vet

My mama cat was skinny when we got her but she eats almost anything and always eats first!! we also have her two girls and she must compete with them, she thinks. i feed them Science Diet and a small can of Fancy Feast in the mornings. The Vet says she is fine but she's only about 7 yrs old and having trouble jumping up high places and down again. her girls are fine.

I had two cats that got fat, and they both developed Diabetes Mellitis. Really sad. They started drinking a lot of water, thats when I noticed it. I don't let my cats overeat these days. Best to get yours to the vet and get her checked out. I hope she will be OK.

Old cat has been on medication for hyperthyroidism for several years. He's lived with us for over 17 years now -

I lost my cat last weekend. He lost weight until you could see his backbone and hip bones. He had diabetes. Signals of the disease for him were, drank lots, urine is sticky, urinated way too much. We pumped him up with a few pounds but after six months of twice daily insulin shots and begging him to eat we think he had a stroke. I force fed him many a day. My daughters cat also has diabetes. He is a chub. Guess that disease can go either way. Vet is the only answer.