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Which food for a fat cat?



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 5th 05, 04:40 PM
5cats
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Default Which food for a fat cat?

The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.

Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science Diet Light
canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would you choose? (and why?)
  #2  
Old September 5th 05, 05:09 PM
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5cats wrote:
The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.

Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science Diet Light
canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would you choose? (and why?)


It's a no-brainer. I would choose the R/D because it's for reducing
weight. And going from 23 to 20 is a reduction in weight.

The Light is maintenance and is more difficult to reduce weight with
it. The R/D has twice the fiber and probably a higher percentage of
nutrient density for safety. But it's not to be used for a long time
hence it's only by prescription.

The higher fiber might be useful in tricking the feline into thinking,
aha, I'm full so it's a little easier from the behavioral point of
view, using the R/D. It's a hassle because now someone has to visit the
vet and the food is supposedly sold only by prescription. So it's more
effort and more expense but I am not having much luck with the Light so
I will be seeing a vet for R/D. And possibly W/D later if this should
be an ongoing problem. R/D is only for short-term I believe.

By the way, what I just told you is not just my opinion. It's what at
least 1 vet told me. And for that matter, Royal Canin's vet told me the
same in regards to prescription diets versus "Light" diets, in general.

  #3  
Old September 5th 05, 05:15 PM
John Doe
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5cats wrote:

The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.
Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science
Diet Light canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would
you choose? (and why?)


Have you tried putting dry food some place where the cat has to
get a tiny amount of exercise with each nibble? A carpet covered
2x4 is good for that.
  #4  
Old September 5th 05, 05:31 PM
5cats
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John Doe wrote:

5cats wrote:

The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.
Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science
Diet Light canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would
you choose? (and why?)


Have you tried putting dry food some place where the cat has to
get a tiny amount of exercise with each nibble? A carpet covered
2x4 is good for that.


That sounds interesting, as George (the plump one) has been on dry R/D
for a while now and hasn't lost much (if any) weight recently. He quickly
went down from 24 to 23, but has stabilised at 23. He's the big orange
tabby type that seems to be prone to laziness & overweight.

I also have a cat who needs to be on a kidney diet and 3 who are in very
good shape and can eat just about anything.

Anyway, I'm not clear on how you'd set up the 2x4 and food. Are you
talking about standing it on end? Or up off the floor, but lengthwise
like a gymnastics balance beam?








  #5  
Old September 5th 05, 05:51 PM
5cats
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Diane wrote:


Are you controlling his portions? If he's not losing weight, cut back
some.


It's difficult to measure what he's eating because the other cats snack
freely out of his bowl. Hence the thinking about adding or switching to wet
food, as then they'd be more willing to eat in a few defined meals rather
than wanting to snack on dry all the time.



  #6  
Old September 5th 05, 05:54 PM
John Doe
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5cats wrote:
John Doe wrote:
5cats wrote:


The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.


Have you tried putting dry food some place where the cat has to
get a tiny amount of exercise with each nibble? A carpet
covered 2x4 is good for that.


Anyway, I'm not clear on how you'd set up the 2x4 and food. Are
you talking about standing it on end? Or up off the floor, but
lengthwise like a gymnastics balance beam?


Just find some place to put dry food high up off of the floor.
Then lean your carpeted 2x4 up against that structure so the
cat(s) can get up there whenever he is hungry. (People who have
disabled their cat by removing its claws might be able to do the
same with a ladder/stair structure.)

I find that especially useful when your cat runs to the food bowl
every time you move or turnaround. That way, instead of putting
their head in the food bowl, they (hopefully) just run to the
bottom of the 2x4 and look longing at you from there. At least
they will get more exercise and gain strength.

Making your cat get a tiny amount of exercise for each bite makes
sense, considering how well your cat is able to climb and whether
it is eating enough.








  #7  
Old September 5th 05, 06:47 PM
Phil P.
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"5cats" wrote in message
.. .
The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.

Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science Diet Light
canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would you choose? (and

why?)


Neither. Although both diets have a lower caloric density, both diets
condition the cat to eat to a larger volume of food. Neither diet is
particularly effective without portion control because cats compensate for
caloric dilution after a few weeks to a few months.

Science Diet Light is a preventative weight control diet (and not a
particularly effective one at that)- its *not* a weight loss diet. R/d is a
high-fiber diet that carries additional risks of its own. Cats eating
high-fiber diets *must* be *well* hydrated to prevent the fiber from
impacting in the colon which can result in intractable constipation.

The *only* weight loss program that has been *proven* to be effective over
the long term is caloric reduction coupled portion control. Portion control
is *essential* for weight loss and proper long-term weight maintenance.

A safe and effective weight loss program for your cat would be an initial
25%
reduction in caloric intake. A 23# (10.5 kg) neutered cat has a daily
energy requirement (DER) of about 420 kcals (calories). Reducing your cat's
caloric intake to about 315 kcals/day should result in 15% weight loss in
about 18 weeks. More rapid weight loss increases the risk of serious liver
disease (hepatic lipidosis) and also results a higher lean body mass loss-to
fat loss ratio.

You can use a regular maintenance diet such as SD Turkey & Giblets for this
weight loss program. Two cans a day minus 2 teaspoons divided into two
feedings should be just about right. If you have other cats, you *must*
feed the cats separately. You can feed the easy-keepers together but must
make sure your overweight cat can't get at their food otherwise your program
will fail.

Phil



  #8  
Old September 5th 05, 07:05 PM
Phil P.
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"5cats" wrote in message
.. .

That sounds interesting, as George (the plump one) has been on dry R/D
for a while now and hasn't lost much (if any) weight recently. He quickly
went down from 24 to 23, but has stabilised at 23.


That's a common problem with all these weight loss diets (other than Purina
DM and Hill's m/d). Cats compensate for the diluted calories and either
plateau or start gaining again..

Use a regular maintenance diet and reduce his caloric intake by 25% and you
shouldn't have any problems

See my previous post.




  #9  
Old September 5th 05, 07:15 PM
John Doe
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"Phil P." phil maxshouse.com wrote:
"5cats" CatFan invalid.com wrote in message


The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.
Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science
Diet Light canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would
you choose? (and why?)


Neither...
Science Diet Light is a preventative weight control diet (and
not a particularly effective one at that)- its *not* a weight
loss diet. R/d is a high-fiber diet that carries additional
risks of its own. Cats eating high-fiber diets *must* be *well*
hydrated to prevent the fiber from impacting in the colon which
can result in intractable constipation.


I've always heard that fiber does exactly the opposite of that.

Some people misconceive that liquids relieve constipation.

Methinks Phil is a troll giving bad medical advice.



Phil

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From: "Phil P." phil maxshouse.com
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Subject: Which food for a fat cat?
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  #10  
Old September 5th 05, 07:26 PM
Phil P.
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Default


"John Doe" wrote in message
...
"Phil P." phil maxshouse.com wrote:
"5cats" CatFan invalid.com wrote in message


The cat is 23 pounds and really should be about 20 pounds.
Let's suppose the only two food choices available are Science
Diet Light canned or Hills R/D dry. Which of *those two* would
you choose? (and why?)


Neither...
Science Diet Light is a preventative weight control diet (and
not a particularly effective one at that)- its *not* a weight
loss diet. R/d is a high-fiber diet that carries additional
risks of its own. Cats eating high-fiber diets *must* be *well*
hydrated to prevent the fiber from impacting in the colon which
can result in intractable constipation.


I've always heard that fiber does exactly the opposite of that.


Fiber absorbs water in the colon. If the cat doesn't drink enough water the
fiber will become impacted in the colon. But that's way over your head.


Methinks Phil is a troll giving bad medical advice.



That's because you're a know-nothing moron and can't tell the difference
between a hairball and a turd without tasting it.

Now post your usual "troll" message that you post every time someone says
something you don't like.





 




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