Date:   10/17/2006 9:22:35 AM ( 19 y ago)
Hits:   1,484
URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=755466

I have a male cat, 12 years old, that is quite fat. It was my fault he got fat in the first place, I thought cats self-regulated and would just stop eating when they got full (yeah I actually thought that). He ballooned up fast and then I put him on diet kitty food. He has been on Science Diet R/D (reduction diet) for 3/4 of his life and just wont drop the weight. I recently put him on senior formula. I feed him 1/3 of a cup twice a day. His littermate, a female, is also 12 years old and she is only slightly over weight. They have been spayed/neutered before their first year. I dont know what breed as they were "mutts" from a shelter. He has been tested for diabetes and it came back normal.

He weighs 25 pounds and she weighs 13. I sometimes catch him eating out of her bowl and I take it away from him.

Though he doesnt meow like he's in pain, he walks stiffly, with his lower spine dipped down. The vet told me a baby aspirin will help and I've tried that, I cant tell if it is helping his pain or not. NOt even sure he is in pain or just stiff.

He does seem to want more attention now than ever, but that could also be attributed to my emotional state in the last few months. Still, at times he starts meowing at 3 am and nothing I can do will shut him up except inviting him to lay on me. Sometimes he starts meowing like he's calling for me and I'm in the room with him. I say his name and he comes over to me. This meowing thing started about 6 months ago. The vet gave me valium to give to him so he would sleep through the night, it worked one night and then...didnt.

He is still able to jump up on the bed and couch and is a very strong cat (I can tell this when I play with him and he grabs me). He still chases and fights with his sister (then they groom each other, very sweet) so I he is not immobilized.

I am about to move and want him to be as comfortable and stress free as possible. And since I am not sure how much longer I will have him due to his size, I dont want him to suffer at all. Since he doesnt seem like he is in any pain NOW, anything I can do to be proactive in this? I am especially interested in natural remedies. I've even thought of acupuncture - a friend of mine did this with one of her injured cats and it did wonders.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and feedback.
 

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