Question:
Ollie is getting way too fat. He is a large cat anyway but I can tell that he's overweight as well. I think he's about 17.5 lbs now. I feed my kitties Innova Evo. Its a high protein low carb food, and it unfortunately has more fat in it than regular Innova. I like this food and I feel that it is very healthy for them (besides the extra fat). Jasmine and Tiger are definitely not overweight. Jazzy is actually still a little thin IMO. They all eat together out of the same bowl, so I have no idea how I would get Ollie to eat a lite food and keep feeding the others regular food. Any ideas?


Answer:
Do what I do with my hoard. Controlled feedings. I feed twice a day. Some people do 3 times a day. Either works. I put down their set amount of food, they eat it, dishes get put away. The cats get very used to their schedual. I always know when it's feeding time! And they know they're getting squat inbetween. This way I know exactly how much each cat is eating, if someones intake has changed. It also allows me to feed the different diets I have to feed.


Answer:
I agree that controlled feedings are the way to go. My guys grazed from Day One and partly as a result of that three of them are overweight. I put Hamish, Bruce and Isobel on Innova Lite approximately two months ago, and Bruce has lost 1.3 lb and Hamish almost 2 lb! I haven't weighed Isobel yet.
I have Aoife on Evo, as she was getting too skinny, and she's filled out quite nicely after only a couple of weeks at 1/2 cup of the Evo daily. My goal ultimately is to get everyone down to a healthy weight, then put them all on Evo with strict controlled feeding times.


Answer:
Aww, poor Ollie. Of course I think he is oh so cute with that extra weight on him but I know it isn't healthy.

Steph, what happened with the weight lifting?


Answer:
Awww, we love Ollie's fat butt!! I know what you mean, BB is constantly on a diet to keep her maintained at the weight she is at and she spends every waking moment (almost) trying to wheedle some food out of us. She is on a prescribed diet from the vet. It is very high in fiber so it is supposed to make her feel full. It has worked keeping her weight down. I personally don't think the ingredients are very good so I also feed her chicken soup for the cat lover's soul light along with it. If you find something else that works for Ollie I would love to hear about it.


Answer:
I'd switch to Innova Lite and restrict food as stated by others...


Answer:
Thanks for the suggestions!

Lol Denise, Sue and Annie! I love his fat bod too. Even with lite food I doubt he will ever be thin though. I don't think its in his genes. Gosh I never thought of feeding them at scheduled times. I am so used to just keeping their bowl full. They throw a fit if its empty so this is going to be difficult.


Answer:
If you find he isn't losing weight with the lite food.. you may need to get a 'reducing' food from the Vet.. then once he's down to a healthier weight, switch him to Innova Lite as a maintenance diet.. and keep to the timed feedings..
You can do timed feedings (for lets say 15 min) and then pick up the dish when the timer goes off.. that way they get to know they better chow down while it's there or they go hungry until later in the day.. just remember not to go over the recommended amount for weight loss. This way all your cats are on the same schedule and not just Mr Tubster!


Answer:
Sue, Can I ask why you recommend Innova lite vs. say another high quality light food?


Answer:
Just because that's the brand she's already feeding him.. I'm sure there are many other brands just as good.