[RooRoobird14]

I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I guess I am one--this thread makes me want to cry. If you're a cat lover, PLEASE READ BELOW: If you want your cat to live a long healthy life, DO NOT allow your cat to become overweight. Feed the cat less food, get it to exercise, feed it low-cal veterinary quality food--whatever! Just keep your cat slim--if you can't see a "waist" below the rib cage, your cat is too fat. Fat cats are prone to many,many diseases/conditions that cause great suffering and even death. IMPORTANT: IF YOU HAVE AN OVERWEIGHT CAT AND YOUR CAT SUDDENLY LOSES HER APPETITE FOR EVEN ONE (YES, ONE!) DAY, GET YOUR CAT TO THE VET ASAP!!!! An overweight cat who stops eating can deteriorate very quickly because of a secondary disease (caused by not eating) called feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL). FHL can be fatal if it's not treated immediately; only 40% of cats who get FHL recover.

Hubby and I spent FIVE THOUSAND dollars trying to treat our beloved Sadie's FHL. It started on a Friday when she stopped eating for the first time. By the time we got her to the vet the following Monday morning, she had gone into major liver failure. Ten weeks of round-the-clock care (IV fluids, stomach tube feeding every 4 hours, antibiotic injections, etc.) didn't save our Sadie. Five thousand dollars and buckets of tears later, we had to put our beloved kitty to sleep.

I'll never again look at a picture of an overweight cat without feeling sad and guilty about my beautiful Sadie's suffering.

[Catnose]

What is it with German cats lately? First it was the one with 4 ears, now this one.

[Windsong]

I think with your post in mind, I will go feed my cat about 5 cats of tuna :)

[SoCal Pubbie]

Sorry about your cat. I hope you have another, or get one soon. There's nothing better to help get over the loss of a pet then another furry friend when the time is right.

I think ALL cat owners look at pictures such as the one of this obese feline and know the ramifications. I for one would do all I could to prevent any pet, dog or cat, from gaining so much weight.