*sigh* Tucker's weight, again

wrote in message . ..
(Rene) wrote:

Wish I could give a positive recommendation for the m/d, but I can't,
since Tucker gained weight on it. Wow, $1.50 per can is a lot more
than I paid (though the canned was used like a "treat" so I didn't use
much). Think I paid $1 per can.

You can not use an Atkins type diet as a treat or else it simply fails
to do what it is supposed to do.

From the words of Steve Crane regarding m/d (Steve works for Hills as
Veterinary consultant)

"So yes the diet works, but *only* if pet owners follow directions. In
testing, all cats became metabolically ketogenic which is the
objective of such a low carb diet. Once the state of metabolic ketosis
is reached, that is the trigger for changing metabolism."

-mhd

I *did* follow directions. I used m/d dry as the main diet with a
teaspoon of the m/d canned as a "treat." I say treat because he used
to get more canned before he went on a diet, so I didn't want to go
completely from mostly canned to no canned. As I said before, he did
*not* receive any other treats or people food.

This diet did not work for Tucker. I don't know why, but if he gained
that much weight in that time period, it's clear it wasn't because I
wasn't "following directions."

Rene

(Rene) wrote in message m...
"Karen" wrote in message ...
"Rene" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I went in to the vet's yesterday to get Tucker weighed. (He's had a
weight problem that I've been trying to control for over two years.
He's now 6.) He was previously on Hills r/d but the vet switched him
to m/d last December.

He's gained a ton of weight! They did a full blood panel on him, in
case of an underactive thyroid, but everything came back clear. I
don't understand. He gets a specific amount of food every day, no
treats except catnip, he has a cat buddy, has to go up stairs to eat,
etc. etc.

I'm going to the vet's over lunch today to discuss food options, but
it's down to either Hills r/d again or Walthams weight control. I'm so
frustrated! I feel like I'm failing him as a kitty mom. Thoughts,
anyone?

Rene

I think that like us genetics can be involved. How much does he weigh? Do
you have a picture?

Karen,

Tucker has always been a "large boned" kitty. His paws and head are
huge! Here's a pic taken about a month ago:
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rj_...&.dnm=b412.jpg
He now weighs 21 lbs. I'm sure genetics probably have something to do
with it, but I can't understand how he'd gain so much weight in such a
short time (5 pounds in 8 months) I assued the vet he gets *no* other
food, treats, or meals, and I premeasure all food. Frustrating.

I chose Walthams Calorie Control for two reasons: 1, it has the lowest
kcals per cup, even lower than r/d, and 2, he hasn't tried it before.
It's worth a try. I'd hate to think how much he'd weigh if he were on
a regular food! Ugh.

Wow. My cat's name is Fatass and she is svelte compared to Tucker!
If you have already cut down on the amount of food and he is otherwise
healthy, let him eat - he is just a fat dude. Fatass has been a blimp
since 3. She is now 15, healthy as ever.


Bluesman

(Rene) wrote in message m...
"Karen" wrote in message ...
"Rene" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I went in to the vet's yesterday to get Tucker weighed. (He's had a
weight problem that I've been trying to control for over two years.
He's now 6.) He was previously on Hills r/d but the vet switched him
to m/d last December.

He's gained a ton of weight! They did a full blood panel on him, in
case of an underactive thyroid, but everything came back clear. I
don't understand. He gets a specific amount of food every day, no
treats except catnip, he has a cat buddy, has to go up stairs to eat,
etc. etc.

I'm going to the vet's over lunch today to discuss food options, but
it's down to either Hills r/d again or Walthams weight control. I'm so
frustrated! I feel like I'm failing him as a kitty mom. Thoughts,
anyone?

Rene

I think that like us genetics can be involved. How much does he weigh? Do
you have a picture?

Karen,

Tucker has always been a "large boned" kitty. His paws and head are
huge! Here's a pic taken about a month ago:
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rj_...&.dnm=b412.jpg
He now weighs 21 lbs. I'm sure genetics probably have something to do
with it, but I can't understand how he'd gain so much weight in such a
short time (5 pounds in 8 months) I assued the vet he gets *no* other
food, treats, or meals, and I premeasure all food. Frustrating.

I chose Walthams Calorie Control for two reasons: 1, it has the lowest
kcals per cup, even lower than r/d, and 2, he hasn't tried it before.
It's worth a try. I'd hate to think how much he'd weigh if he were on
a regular food! Ugh.

Wow. My cat's name is Fatass and she is svelte compared to Tucker!
If you have already cut down on the amount of food and he is otherwise
healthy, let him eat - he is just a fat dude. Fatass has been a blimp
since 3. She is now 15, healthy as ever.


Bluesman

(Rene) wrote in message m...
"Karen" wrote in message ...
"Rene" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I went in to the vet's yesterday to get Tucker weighed. (He's had a
weight problem that I've been trying to control for over two years.
He's now 6.) He was previously on Hills r/d but the vet switched him
to m/d last December.

He's gained a ton of weight! They did a full blood panel on him, in
case of an underactive thyroid, but everything came back clear. I
don't understand. He gets a specific amount of food every day, no
treats except catnip, he has a cat buddy, has to go up stairs to eat,
etc. etc.

I'm going to the vet's over lunch today to discuss food options, but
it's down to either Hills r/d again or Walthams weight control. I'm so
frustrated! I feel like I'm failing him as a kitty mom. Thoughts,
anyone?

Rene

I think that like us genetics can be involved. How much does he weigh? Do
you have a picture?

Karen,

Tucker has always been a "large boned" kitty. His paws and head are
huge! Here's a pic taken about a month ago:
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rj_...&.dnm=b412.jpg
He now weighs 21 lbs. I'm sure genetics probably have something to do
with it, but I can't understand how he'd gain so much weight in such a
short time (5 pounds in 8 months) I assued the vet he gets *no* other
food, treats, or meals, and I premeasure all food. Frustrating.

I chose Walthams Calorie Control for two reasons: 1, it has the lowest
kcals per cup, even lower than r/d, and 2, he hasn't tried it before.
It's worth a try. I'd hate to think how much he'd weigh if he were on
a regular food! Ugh.

Wow. My cat's name is Fatass and she is svelte compared to Tucker!
If you have already cut down on the amount of food and he is otherwise
healthy, let him eat - he is just a fat dude. Fatass has been a blimp
since 3. She is now 15, healthy as ever.


Bluesman

"Bluesman" wrote Karen,

Tucker has always been a "large boned" kitty. His paws and head are
huge! Here's a pic taken about a month ago:

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rj_...&.dnm=b412.jpg
He now weighs 21 lbs.

Wow. My cat's name is Fatass and she is svelte compared to Tucker!
If you have already cut down on the amount of food and he is otherwise
healthy, let him eat - he is just a fat dude. Fatass has been a blimp
since 3. She is now 15, healthy as ever.


Bluesman

Nice to hear that Fatass is healthy and happy! How is your Mom?

"Bluesman" wrote Karen,

Tucker has always been a "large boned" kitty. His paws and head are
huge! Here's a pic taken about a month ago:

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rj_...&.dnm=b412.jpg
He now weighs 21 lbs.

Wow. My cat's name is Fatass and she is svelte compared to Tucker!
If you have already cut down on the amount of food and he is otherwise
healthy, let him eat - he is just a fat dude. Fatass has been a blimp
since 3. She is now 15, healthy as ever.


Bluesman

Nice to hear that Fatass is healthy and happy! How is your Mom?

"Bluesman" wrote Karen,

Tucker has always been a "large boned" kitty. His paws and head are
huge! Here's a pic taken about a month ago:

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rj_...&.dnm=b412.jpg
He now weighs 21 lbs.

Wow. My cat's name is Fatass and she is svelte compared to Tucker!
If you have already cut down on the amount of food and he is otherwise
healthy, let him eat - he is just a fat dude. Fatass has been a blimp
since 3. She is now 15, healthy as ever.


Bluesman

Nice to hear that Fatass is healthy and happy! How is your Mom?

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...

"Rene" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I went in to the vet's yesterday to get Tucker weighed. (He's had a
weight problem that I've been trying to control for over two years.
He's now 6.) He was previously on Hills r/d but the vet switched him
to m/d last December.

He's gained a ton of weight! They did a full blood panel on him, in
case of an underactive thyroid, but everything came back clear. I
don't understand. He gets a specific amount of food every day, no
treats except catnip, he has a cat buddy, has to go up stairs to eat,
etc. etc.

Rene

I used to let Holly free feed on dry cat food. I thought it was successful
because her health always seemed good. Then, over the course of a year or
so, I noticed that she looked a little heavier. Sure enough, she had
gained
a pound, and that is a substantial percentage of a cat's weight. It was
about that same time that I changed to Wellness and Felidae canned.
Holly's
weight dropped back to her optimal level. I was amazed, because I didn't
change food for weight-reduction reasons. I changed cat food because I had
recently adopted Duffy (who clearly needed better nutrition than what he
had
been receiving), and I had also started to read recommendations for canned
food instead of dry food. She and Duffy are both thriving on the diet,
have
luxurious coats, and display lots of energy. In both cases, their weight
has
now remained completely stable at what I (and the vet) consider their
optimal weights. Moreover, neither cat seems hungry on this diet.

I stick to a 12-hour feeding schedule, or as close to that as possible.
Each
cat gets 1/3 can twice per day (sizes are 5.5 oz. cans of Wellness or 6.0
oz. cans of Felidae). I open one can for one meal and use 2/3 of it,
divided
between the two cats; then repeat the process for the next meal.

This will leave 1/3 can from two separate cans for one meal the following
day. I microwave the portions that have been refrigerated for a short time
to gently warm it. (Note: I am feeding twice a day, not three times) This
doesn't cost as much extra as I expected because my furbabies don't eat as
much as when I used dry food (and free feeding). Nevertheless, they always
seem satisfied. Duffy weighs a little more than 8 pounds, and Holly weighs
9
pounds. I don't know how much your cat weighs, but you would obviously
need
to adjust the quantity commensurate with his weight.

I have noticed that I feed fewer calories than the 30 calories per pound
recommendations that I have read on some sites. It is also less than the 1
can per day that Wellness says is typical for an 8 to 10 pound adult cat.
Other friends have noticed the same thing with their cats. This may be
because indoor cats do not need as many calories as outdoor cats - but,
for
whatever reason, I think the "recommended" caloric intake is likely to
lead
to fat cats. For example, one 5.5 oz. can of Wellness chicken formula has
181 calories. This means that my cats are getting between 13 and 14
calories
per pound per day, and their weight has remained constant on this diet.
Other types of Wellness will vary slightly, but this gives a reasonable
approximation.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")



My vet commented one day that cat food mfgs are in business to sell cat
food. The more you feed the cat the more they sell. They tend to be very
generous with their label recommendations.

W

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...

"Rene" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I went in to the vet's yesterday to get Tucker weighed. (He's had a
weight problem that I've been trying to control for over two years.
He's now 6.) He was previously on Hills r/d but the vet switched him
to m/d last December.

He's gained a ton of weight! They did a full blood panel on him, in
case of an underactive thyroid, but everything came back clear. I
don't understand. He gets a specific amount of food every day, no
treats except catnip, he has a cat buddy, has to go up stairs to eat,
etc. etc.

Rene

I used to let Holly free feed on dry cat food. I thought it was successful
because her health always seemed good. Then, over the course of a year or
so, I noticed that she looked a little heavier. Sure enough, she had
gained
a pound, and that is a substantial percentage of a cat's weight. It was
about that same time that I changed to Wellness and Felidae canned.
Holly's
weight dropped back to her optimal level. I was amazed, because I didn't
change food for weight-reduction reasons. I changed cat food because I had
recently adopted Duffy (who clearly needed better nutrition than what he
had
been receiving), and I had also started to read recommendations for canned
food instead of dry food. She and Duffy are both thriving on the diet,
have
luxurious coats, and display lots of energy. In both cases, their weight
has
now remained completely stable at what I (and the vet) consider their
optimal weights. Moreover, neither cat seems hungry on this diet.

I stick to a 12-hour feeding schedule, or as close to that as possible.
Each
cat gets 1/3 can twice per day (sizes are 5.5 oz. cans of Wellness or 6.0
oz. cans of Felidae). I open one can for one meal and use 2/3 of it,
divided
between the two cats; then repeat the process for the next meal.

This will leave 1/3 can from two separate cans for one meal the following
day. I microwave the portions that have been refrigerated for a short time
to gently warm it. (Note: I am feeding twice a day, not three times) This
doesn't cost as much extra as I expected because my furbabies don't eat as
much as when I used dry food (and free feeding). Nevertheless, they always
seem satisfied. Duffy weighs a little more than 8 pounds, and Holly weighs
9
pounds. I don't know how much your cat weighs, but you would obviously
need
to adjust the quantity commensurate with his weight.

I have noticed that I feed fewer calories than the 30 calories per pound
recommendations that I have read on some sites. It is also less than the 1
can per day that Wellness says is typical for an 8 to 10 pound adult cat.
Other friends have noticed the same thing with their cats. This may be
because indoor cats do not need as many calories as outdoor cats - but,
for
whatever reason, I think the "recommended" caloric intake is likely to
lead
to fat cats. For example, one 5.5 oz. can of Wellness chicken formula has
181 calories. This means that my cats are getting between 13 and 14
calories
per pound per day, and their weight has remained constant on this diet.
Other types of Wellness will vary slightly, but this gives a reasonable
approximation.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")



My vet commented one day that cat food mfgs are in business to sell cat
food. The more you feed the cat the more they sell. They tend to be very
generous with their label recommendations.

W

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...

"Rene" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I went in to the vet's yesterday to get Tucker weighed. (He's had a
weight problem that I've been trying to control for over two years.
He's now 6.) He was previously on Hills r/d but the vet switched him
to m/d last December.

He's gained a ton of weight! They did a full blood panel on him, in
case of an underactive thyroid, but everything came back clear. I
don't understand. He gets a specific amount of food every day, no
treats except catnip, he has a cat buddy, has to go up stairs to eat,
etc. etc.

Rene

I used to let Holly free feed on dry cat food. I thought it was successful
because her health always seemed good. Then, over the course of a year or
so, I noticed that she looked a little heavier. Sure enough, she had
gained
a pound, and that is a substantial percentage of a cat's weight. It was
about that same time that I changed to Wellness and Felidae canned.
Holly's
weight dropped back to her optimal level. I was amazed, because I didn't
change food for weight-reduction reasons. I changed cat food because I had
recently adopted Duffy (who clearly needed better nutrition than what he
had
been receiving), and I had also started to read recommendations for canned
food instead of dry food. She and Duffy are both thriving on the diet,
have
luxurious coats, and display lots of energy. In both cases, their weight
has
now remained completely stable at what I (and the vet) consider their
optimal weights. Moreover, neither cat seems hungry on this diet.

I stick to a 12-hour feeding schedule, or as close to that as possible.
Each
cat gets 1/3 can twice per day (sizes are 5.5 oz. cans of Wellness or 6.0
oz. cans of Felidae). I open one can for one meal and use 2/3 of it,
divided
between the two cats; then repeat the process for the next meal.

This will leave 1/3 can from two separate cans for one meal the following
day. I microwave the portions that have been refrigerated for a short time
to gently warm it. (Note: I am feeding twice a day, not three times) This
doesn't cost as much extra as I expected because my furbabies don't eat as
much as when I used dry food (and free feeding). Nevertheless, they always
seem satisfied. Duffy weighs a little more than 8 pounds, and Holly weighs
9
pounds. I don't know how much your cat weighs, but you would obviously
need
to adjust the quantity commensurate with his weight.

I have noticed that I feed fewer calories than the 30 calories per pound
recommendations that I have read on some sites. It is also less than the 1
can per day that Wellness says is typical for an 8 to 10 pound adult cat.
Other friends have noticed the same thing with their cats. This may be
because indoor cats do not need as many calories as outdoor cats - but,
for
whatever reason, I think the "recommended" caloric intake is likely to
lead
to fat cats. For example, one 5.5 oz. can of Wellness chicken formula has
181 calories. This means that my cats are getting between 13 and 14
calories
per pound per day, and their weight has remained constant on this diet.
Other types of Wellness will vary slightly, but this gives a reasonable
approximation.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")



My vet commented one day that cat food mfgs are in business to sell cat
food. The more you feed the cat the more they sell. They tend to be very
generous with their label recommendations.

W