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Junior Member
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Last Login: 6/12/2008 6:01:05 PM
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| My boyfriends mother has an old tabby cat, but she can no longer keep weight on him. He is definatly up there in years, so I know what the weight loss could mean. But I was wondering if anyone knows is there is any supplement we could place in his food to try and fatten him up a bit? There are several reasons why he can be losing weight, but is there anything over the counter (other then a high protein diet) to keep meat on his bones? Thanks A Bunch, TheZoo
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Supreme Being
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kitten food. It's loaded with more calories and proteins than anything else on the market, he should gain back pretty quickly on that.
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen 
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Supreme Being
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There's the possibility of hyperthyroidism; that can be treated with prescription pills (methimazole, generic for Tapazole) or radioiodine treatment. Also, as cats age, their digestive systems don't function as effectively, so they need more food for them to get proper nutrition. Doctors Foster and Smith sell food supplements; one is Vita-Cal, the other is Nurish-UM. Both are pastes which claim to be high-calorie nutritional supplements, but I'd run the idea past your vet first. The kitten food idea sounds pretty good, though.
Some cats are more special than others.Read my monthly blog: http://www.myspace.com/cataholic1
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Supreme Being
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There are many veterinary / medical reason why he can't maintain his normal weight: hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, liver failure.
All of the above are treatable. Before your friend's mother wastes money trying different over the counter products, please encourage her to take kitty to a vet ASAP.
Momcat
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Supreme Being
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Try the kitten food, and if that doesn't help, a Full Health Panel at your vet will need to be done. This will check the thyroid, liver, kidneys, blood glucose, ect, to make sure that nothing is wrong.
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: 11/15/2009 2:22:37 PM
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| Kitten food is good idea but only if cat has not liver or pancreas problems. Too much fat in food could be imposiible to digest, so check these issues first. Or give kitten food with ferments supplements.
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Supreme Being
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I agree with Elena Russian. If the cat has liver disease or pancreatitis, kitten food or any high fatty food would exacerbate the disease. It would better to first find out what is causing the problem, THEN embark on treatment plan.
If you have a good relationship with your boyfriend's mother, perhaps you can explain some of our ideas to her.
Momcat
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 6/12/2008 6:01:05 PM
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| Thank you everyone...I will tell her....I am not sure when the cat was last at the vet. But I will definatly ask her about it.... Thanks Agian..... TheZoo
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 11/3/2009 11:34:12 AM
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Most likely, your senior is showing signs of declining health. Our 13 yr old senior died within weeks of losing extreme amounts of weight. We tried everything to make him eat, but he just seemed to be telling us it was his time. I'd take your cat to the vet, but even if they can prescribe a "cure" for him, at his age (if over 13 yrs.) his quality of life will be compromised.
Live, and let live. "true profit is measured by quality of life." "We have cats to enhance our lives, we owe it to them to allow them to enjoy theirs."
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Forum Guru
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Are you sure the cat is even "old"
Old for a domestic cat would be well into 20's or even over 30.
Most cats that are kept as pets ( those that don't get sick/die from outdoor diseases/dangers, get hit by cars, or pts in shelters)die slowly over a period of years from the garbage/ low grade diets they are given by well meaning, but misinformed owners.
My advice is to go with a grain free canned, or raw diet and see what happens
cats as pets
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