Fat Cat Refuses to Eat Any Other Foods

Question:

My cat is overweight but will not eat any other make or flavor of food besides Sea Blend Whiskas. I have tried following vet instructions and she will either drive me crazy with her howling or starve before eating anything else. Any suggestions?

- Sharon

Answer:

Sharon,
Thank you for your question. You are dealing with a very tricky situation and although it is a very common suggestion from veterinarians or well-meaning friends to "let them starve, they will eventually eat it" this can be a very hazardous thing to do with an overweight cat. A fat cat that suddenly goes off his feed for any reason can develop a condition called "hepatic lipidosis" whereby the fat that is suddenly "lost" rapidly infiltrates the liver and can actually cause the liver to cease performing its very important functions, or "fail". This is one reason that gradual weight loss is very important in an overweight cat, especially one with arthritis.

A prescription diet for weight loss would be recommended. The customary high fiber, low fat diets may not be as palatable (tasty) as the high protein diets that are normally used for helping to correct diabetes. These high protein diets are more appropriate for cats, which are carnivorous by nature and usually very agreeable to the cat. The food should be 100% refundable as well, should your cat not eat it.

As with any diet change, it is very important to do it gradually in order to avoid upsetting the cat's stomach. The gradual change may help your cat accept the new food more readily.

Good luck with this very difficult endeavor,
Sara F. Jennen DVM