I'm babysitting my mom's two cats and have come to the realization that they're incredibly overweight. I'm talking 20+ pounds. One of them knocked over my cat tree trying to get onto it. Another is out of breath just jumping onto the couch. I'm a bit shocked at how much weight they've put on. They used to be indoor/outdoor cats, but after moving they're now indoor cats with a much smaller space. Cat 1 is so overweight she refuses to clean her butt or take care of herself. She's always been that way, and always overweight, but it's worse now. Cat 2 is her sister. She's built like a bulldog (barrel cheated) so she's always weighed more, but now it's extreme. She weighs more than my friend's three month old baby!
Unfortunately my mother suffers from depression and doesn't always have time to play with them, though they get plenty of attention otherwise. I'm doubtful if I asked her to play with the cats that she would be able to keep it up. The cats are absolutely NOT neglected, they're just not active. My mother is also poor, and can't afford a ton of expensive wet food for her cats. Which is unfortunate, but it's the reality for the next year or so.
Regardless, the cats need to ditch some weight. Breathing problems run in that litter of cats. Their other sister snores loud enough to wake the dead, probably has some form of sleep apnea, and is just a loud breather. While the vet says the third sister is okay and to keep an eye on it, I worry the added weight on my mom's cats will cause heart issues. I'm not thrilled with that idea, so I'd at least like to get them on a healthier diet.
As of right now they're free fed, but I can most likely get her to feed them at specific times. They're on Purina One hairball since they absolutely love to barf hairballs even when brushed. They all suffer from dry skin for some reason and have dandruff. Which is gross. I'd like to get them switched to a kibble that will help them ditch a few (or a several) extra pounds and get them to the point where they can at least jump onto the couch without being tired.
They do have a third cat who belongs to my brother. That one is pretty active (main coon) and isn't very overweight. He's also about four years younger than the other two. That one enjoys acting like an idiot while playing so he gets played with now and then.
Is there a kibble I can put them on to help?? I can most likely get them set on a schedule so they're not free fed. I can also probably get them a separate hairball treatment if the cats will accept it. (Picky jerks) I know if they're more active my brother will be more inclined to play with them. And we definitely need to get the one skinny enough that she can clean her butt. In a year or so I can switch them to canned cat food (suggestions?) But for now that's not an option.
Unfortunately my mother suffers from depression and doesn't always have time to play with them, though they get plenty of attention otherwise. I'm doubtful if I asked her to play with the cats that she would be able to keep it up. The cats are absolutely NOT neglected, they're just not active. My mother is also poor, and can't afford a ton of expensive wet food for her cats. Which is unfortunate, but it's the reality for the next year or so.
Regardless, the cats need to ditch some weight. Breathing problems run in that litter of cats. Their other sister snores loud enough to wake the dead, probably has some form of sleep apnea, and is just a loud breather. While the vet says the third sister is okay and to keep an eye on it, I worry the added weight on my mom's cats will cause heart issues. I'm not thrilled with that idea, so I'd at least like to get them on a healthier diet.
As of right now they're free fed, but I can most likely get her to feed them at specific times. They're on Purina One hairball since they absolutely love to barf hairballs even when brushed. They all suffer from dry skin for some reason and have dandruff. Which is gross. I'd like to get them switched to a kibble that will help them ditch a few (or a several) extra pounds and get them to the point where they can at least jump onto the couch without being tired.
They do have a third cat who belongs to my brother. That one is pretty active (main coon) and isn't very overweight. He's also about four years younger than the other two. That one enjoys acting like an idiot while playing so he gets played with now and then.
Is there a kibble I can put them on to help?? I can most likely get them set on a schedule so they're not free fed. I can also probably get them a separate hairball treatment if the cats will accept it. (Picky jerks) I know if they're more active my brother will be more inclined to play with them. And we definitely need to get the one skinny enough that she can clean her butt. In a year or so I can switch them to canned cat food (suggestions?) But for now that's not an option.