We had our cat down to 11 pounds (on Iams Less Active). I'm not sure when my husband weighed her last (maybe a few months ago). We've been feeding her canned only now for the last three weeks, and my husband weighed her again this morning. She's up to 13 pounds! I'm not convinced it's just from the canned, but I'm concerned that the canned may not be bringing down her weight. We're feeding 1/2 of a 5.5 oz. can in the morning, and 1/2 in the evening. Is that right? Or is there some lower fat variety we should find for her? She's almost 11, and has chronic pancreatitis and arthritis.

Thanks for your help.

Jackie

Dear Jackie,

I've consulted with the official vet of Cat Chat, Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, about your question. Here's her reply.

This cat did not gain 2 pounds on 5.5 ozs. of canned food per day. They are feeding treats or some other calorie/carb containing item, or someone else in the household or neighborhood is. Hypothyroidism is rare in cats, but I've seen a few cases, so having a T4 done makes sense, but only after they do a complete and honest journal of everything this cat is eating. You'd be amazed at the things folks feed their cats, thinking that such items don't count. Things like high carb treats, licking the a.m. plate of pancake syrup (after the owners are done with their pancakes), neighbors feeding dry when the cat comes by for a visit (you'd be amazed at how often this one happens), etc. An eleven pound cat does not get enough calories in 5.5 ounces of canned food to store anything anyway, and such a cat does not weigh less on any dry (much less Iams) than on canned. I have had to sort out a number of these kinds of cases. They're kind of fun, because you know that there's something else going on, and it can take some sleuthing to get to the bottom of it. I always do a urine pH test on such a cat, and if the pH ends up high, I know the cat is getting carbs somewhere. I always give the owners an out by suggesting that someone in the family or the neighborhood may be feeding the cat without the primary caregivers knowing it (usually not true, but it saves me having to call them out on this). In any event, they need to look closely at what else the cat is getting besides the 5.5 ozs., which would result in weight loss for this cat, unless it has some fairly significant disease going on.

Hope this helps, Jackie.

Tracie Hotchner