Posted on 04/11/2004 8:36:36 PM PDT by BenLurkin
They are big and furry and round … very round. They are Garfield, Roly Poly Kitten and the Cheshire cat, but they don't reside within the pages of a book or a comic strip. They live in homes all across America. Mr. Bigglesworth is 3 years old and weighs in at an impressive 27 pounds. Although his doctors have put him on a diet several times, owner Kiki Wallerstein said she can't keep him away from the food dishes she puts out for the other animals in the house.
It seems nothing intimidates this rather daunting feline in his quest for food. "He'll take (food) from a big dog. He just doesn't seem to care," Wallerstein said.
When Mr. Bigglesworth was a few months old and still with the size and curiosity of an average kitten, he took on a rather large dog at the food dish. The dog attacked, nearly killing the kitten. Emergency surgery and the loving care of the Wallersteins kept the kitten alive. It was after that, said Wallerstein, that the kitten began this pattern of eating everything in sight.
"If the pantry door gets left open," said Wallerstein, "he will go in and just sit inside the dog food bag and eat."
Still, in the heavyweight feline division, Mr. Bigglesworth has some local competition.
Boo was 4 weeks old when Lancaster resident Shirley Lienhard rescued him from a grocery cart in front of a local store. He was the last of a litter of kittens and Lienhard heard a man say to his female companion, "Just leave it here. Someone will take it."
Boo is now a hefty 22-pound cat.
"He is one of three cats and the only fat one in the crowd," said Lienhard.
According to Lienhard, Boo eats the same food and she doesn't see him consuming any more than her other cats.
Daughter Vicki Lienhard works as a pet groomer and said she thinks Boo is part Maine Coon, a breed of cat known for its large stature.
"I'm still amazed every time I see Boo walk across the floor," said Vicky. "If you want to do a little weight lifting, just try to pick him up."
But the fattest cat among the entries to the Valley Press call for Fat Cats was Hobbs, tipping the scales at a whopping 35 pounds. The 4-year-old cat belongs to Cherish Gray, the daughter of Renee Lander of Rosamond. Of course, he lives in Chicago, so he can't be the biggest cat in the Valley.
Veterinarians are not so much amazed as concerned at the growing number of obese felines.
Dr. Larry Franklin Bosma of the North Valley Veterinary Clinic on Sierra Highway in Lancaster said that obesity in animals is no different than obesity in people. It is an issue of diet and lifestyle.
"The basis of good health is a good diet," said Bosma.
According to the veterinarian, good feeding habits and lifestyle should begin when a pet is still small. He recommends feeding premium brand foods. The price for the premium foods may seem higher, but because the portions do not need to be as large for the cat to get the same nutrients, the cost difference is not that great.
One of the most important benefits of a quality pet food, said Bosma, is digestibility, which comes when there are fewer by-products and more whole meat. The food is then better utilized by the body.
Changing the type of food with the life stages of an animal is also important. An adult cat doesn't need the same amount of calories as an active kitten.
Putting out set amounts of food at set times is also a way to regulate how much food a cat takes in. Bosma recommends four feedings a day until the kitten is 7 or 8 months, then three times a day until the cat is a year old. At that point, the cat needs only be fed twice a day - once in the morning and once at night.
Leaving a bowl full of food out all day leads to problems, according to Bosma.
"Give them a certain time frame in which to eat - 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon how quickly your pet eats. Then take the food away."
Bosma also recommends staying away from the use of treats, or at least using tiny morsels rather than full treats for pets. It is the interaction that the pet enjoys, he said, rather than the treat itself.
"Animals will eat out of boredom," added Bosma. "That becomes a habit that becomes obesity."
The health risks of obesity in cats include heart problems and cancer. With an increase of fat cells, the cat's liver can't detoxify at the highest level, and toxins begin to adversely affect the other body organs.
Just as exercise is important to humans, it is vital to an animal's health. Kittens are fun to play with, but it is important to continue the interaction and play to keep an animal active. One way to keep a cat mentally stimulated and active, according to Bosma, is to put small amounts of food into Kong toys, pet toys that are designed for that purpose. The cat is kept busy batting at and chasing the toy while trying to figure how to get the food out.
Bosma spoke of a trend toward raw foods for animals. This includes whole meats, legumes and vegetables, all uncooked. He explained that in the wild, cats take down their prey and go for the entrails which contain vegetable matter. In this way they are getting both the raw meat and the vegetables.
"In my opinion, the best diet is to go to raw foods."
Dr. E. L. Edwards of Lancaster Pet Clinic said there are a lot of people who promote the raw food diet, but she doesn't agree.
"Domestic animals are not out in the wild building up a tolerance or endurance. They have not been being fed raw food their whole lives," said Edwards. "They can end up with problems of obstruction in the intestines or food poisoning."
Edwards does agree with Bosma on the basic issues of maintaining good feline health and expressed her concern over the ever-increasing numbers of fat cats.
"Too much weight affects a cat's joints," said Edwards. A frame that should carry 8 to 10 pounds ends up with 18 to 20 pounds. With obesity, you get health problems including diabetes, fatty liver syndrome and orthopedic problems.
According to both Bosma and Edwards, there is a way to check if your cat is overweight. Place your hand lightly on the cat's back and run it down the length of the body. If you can not feel the ribs, the cat is overweight.
Further information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle for pets can be acquired at any local veterinarian clinic.
One of the Lurkin cats age ten years is overweight - she was spoiled with 'people food'
The other Lurkin cat is slim and trim at seven - never got 'people food'.
Though not by me.
The ladies downstairs have taken to Ralph, and they feed her. All the time.
LOL then they ask me if she's pregnant. Go figure.
Problem is, they think it's harmless "spoiling".
*sigh* Of course, Ralph demands it now... and has become increasingly picky and overweight.
Cats are that way.
Maybe your vet has an idea or two to help out (cuz this kind of thing happens all the time).
I switched her to IAMS. She lost six pounds, only because she just doesn't like the IAMS.
His name is 'Wanderer' and he was wandering since before his eyes opened. What a cat, really weird cat.
Made him read the book before he saw any movie versions (we have since rented two).
He actually thanked me for making him read the book first.
Oh-oh . . .is this thread headed for the dreaded "Chat"?
*snicker*
(don't ask about the name, I came into the picture after the fact)
But she's chicken$hit... she instigates the neighborhood kitties, then runs off when they bristle and hiss.
It's hilarious. Of course, Ralph has been enjoying her vacation since we fired her.
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