[firstkid4me]

We got our cat from the Humane Society last May and she's been a welcome addition to our family. She's 7 years old and very fat. I measure out her food and feed her half in the morning and half at night (it's always gone by morning and she acts like she's starving in the morning when we get up. After going to the bathroom, I have to go feed her because she makes that much noise, in fact, she tries to wake us up to go feed her!) I change her water every morning, and sometimes a second time during the day. She likes to drink from the sink faucet and it's starting to bother me because she'll lay on the counter and just watch the water, she won't drink! We leave it on as little of a stream as we can, but she'll just watch it for a few minutes before drinking (if she doesn't run off first.) I can't sit there and watch her to wait to see if she starts drinking, but I also can't keep our faucet on all day for her like she'd like. I'm trying to keep her from drinking out of the faucet, and when we wash our hands after going to the bathroom, she looks at the faucet expecting us to turn it on for her. The past few days I've just walked away, and dh says that I'm being mean to her. I want to break her of the habit of drinking out of the faucet, it's not like she doesn't have fresh water. Am I expecting too much of my cat?

 

[broodymama]

I don't think you're being mean to her. DH doesn't like our cats drinking from the faucet either. Have you thought about getting her a running water dish? We have <a href="http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778449&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025542&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1177954285584&itemNo=2&In=Cat&N=2025542&Ne=2" target="_blank">this one</a> and our cats really like it, especially the one who likes to drink from the faucet.

 

[pumpkin]

I would get a cat fountain.<br><br>
Many, if not most, cats prefer running water. If my cat does not have running water available, she bangs her paw into the water and tries to drink the splash. It makes a mess. She also drinks alot more water if its running. It was worth every penny.<br><br>
I should also note that I originally balked at the outrageous price for a cat fountain and made my own using an aquarium motor and some supplies from around the house. My homemade version was pretty cool and ceramic instead of plastic, but cleaning it was a major pain. It can be done though.

 

[zeldabee]

When I put my obese cats on a diet, they never got over it. They were <i>convinced</i> they were on the verge of starvation for the rest of their lives. They broke everything I had that was breakable (and went for the things I actually cared about, like they <i>knew</i>). It was very sad.<br><br>
My current cat has the potential to be a basketball kitty, so her food is measured also. She was obviously used to that when I got her (at about 5 years old), so she's not as much of a problem as far as feeling entitled to having food available at all times. She is a pest in the morning, and I've taken to leaving our bedroom door open in the place I just moved into, otherwise she scratches to get in. (Don't know why she didn't do that in the old place.) I tell her to hush if she meows, and she does. Then she just stares a hole in me until I get up, but I can sleep through that.<br><br>
My old cats used to love drippy faucets as well. The running water dish is a good idea. Maybe I'll try one for my cat. Anything to keep her life more interesting. Unfortunately, she doesn't tolerate other cats, so she's alone all day long.

 

[firstkid4me]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Red Sonja</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7993491"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I don't think you're being mean to her. DH doesn't like our cats drinking from the faucet either. Have you thought about getting her a running water dish? We have <a href="http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778449&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025542&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1177954285584&itemNo=2&In=Cat&N=2025542&Ne=2" target="_blank">this one</a> and our cats really like it, especially the one who likes to drink from the faucet.</div>
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That's a good one! The only one we've seen is upwards of $70 and dh was like, "NO FREAKING WAY!"

 

[polyhymnia]

Try to encourage exercise too. Are you feeding a high-high-quality food? Some kitties really do best on a "kitty Atkins" diet which is very high protein, little to no carbs. When the cat is getting a very small amt of food per day it is important that every morsel is high-nutrient just like with kids.<br><br>
We got my cat this fabulous toy that hangs from the doorway and he LOVES it. He will play with it for ages on his own or with us. He even prefers it on his own I think. I think it has really helped him lose weight (lost 2 lbs in 3 months, starting from 18 lb so it is not THAT drastic I promise!).

 

[2tadpoles]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>crayolaab</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7994100"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Are you feeding a high-high-quality food? Some kitties really do best on a "kitty Atkins" diet which is very high protein, little to no carbs.</div>
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My thoughts, as well.<br><br>
Actually, ALL kitties do best on an Atkins type diet. Cats are true carnivores (unlike omnivorous dogs). In the wild, the only carbs they get are the miniscule stomach contents of their prey. They need extremely little in the way of grain and vegetable matter.<br><br>
Most commercial cat foods have way too much grain and other fillers in them. Aside from stretching the "meat" in the product, it ensures that your cats will get fat, have bad teeth, shed, have oily coat/dandruff, urinary tract problems, etc.<br><br>
Feed a high quality food and continue to feed the appropriate amount. Your cat will not starve and it will not make you a "meanie."

 

[broodymama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>2tadpoles</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7994200"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Most commercial cat foods have way too much grain and other fillers in them. Aside from stretching the "meat" in the product, it ensures that your cats will get fat, have bad teeth, shed, have oily coat/dandruff, urinary tract problems, etc.<br><br>
Feed a high quality food and continue to feed the appropriate amount. Your cat will not starve and it will not make you a "meanie."</div>
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Totally not trying to derail this topic <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"> but what would be a good high quality food?

 

[firstkid4me]

My cat is really picky. She won't eat wet food, only certain types of dry food. She turns her nose up at soooo much. She won't even eat tuna that we offer her from a can! (My cats growing up would wail the entire time they smelled tuna, until you finished eating it, so this cat is just weird too me.)

 

[polyhymnia]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Red Sonja</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7994317"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Totally not trying to derail this topic <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"> but what would be a good high quality food?</div>
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Not anything you can get at a grocery store, for starters.<br><br>
I posted a thread recently with this same question - I had a bunch of brands recommended to me by the local pet health food store. I have heard Innova/Innova EVO raved about on here but unfortunately I can't find it near me. Anyway hopefully I will hear back from people "in the know" and can make a decision about food for Tom <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Here is the thread: <a href="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=664587" target="_blank">http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=664587</a><br><br>
I am going to try him on the Raw Instinct soon and hope that it works for us <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Look at the ingredients, for starters. You want to see meat products high and little to no grain products (wheat, corn, corn meal, wheat gluten, etc).

 

[polyhymnia]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>firstkid4me</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7994364"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My cat is really picky. She won't eat wet food, only certain types of dry food. She turns her nose up at soooo much. She won't even eat tuna that we offer her from a can! (My cats growing up would wail the entire time they smelled tuna, until you finished eating it, so this cat is just weird too me.)</div>
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Smart cat! Tuna from a can isn't really very good for kitties.<br><br>
Your best bet is to find a really high protein food that she will eat. Keep trying, too. Don't just give it to her once and then figure "oh she doesn't like it" and go back to the old food. She will learn to adapt. She won't let herself starve. You would not let a child eat nothing but junk food because he doesn't like healthy food so why let your cat do the same thing?<br><br>
What are you feeding her, if you don't mind sharing?

 

[Mizelenius]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>pumpkin</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7993523"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Many, if not most, cats prefer running water. If my cat does not have running water available, she bangs her paw into the water and tries to drink the splash.</div>
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OH!!!!! So that is why my cat sometimes splashes his water! Duh to me!

 

[rmzbm]

My male cat, Maverick, will NOT drink from a bowl. I've never EVER seen him do it. He ONLY drinks from the sink. I hear it's a common cat "thing." <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[polyhymnia]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Mizelenius</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7994931"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">OH!!!!! So that is why my cat sometimes splashes his water! Duh to me!</div>
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Does he splash it with his paw? My cat does this. Maybe I should get him a fountain. We had to move his water bowl into the kitchen (on linoleum) because he was always spilling it even off the protective mat and onto the carpet. I was worried about mold/mildew. Hmmmmmm...

 

[broodymama]

Thanks Abigail!

 

[QueenOfThePride]

If you can't find Innova EVO, look for Nature's Variety or Royal Canin Baby Cat (not Kitten).

 

[daekini]

Running (or splashing! LOL) water has a higher oxygen content. I wonder if that's why cats like it better?

 

[heartmama]

I wouldn't use dry food. Especially with the water intake issues. I would switch to a wet diet--canned ideally, or make your own. A really good canned food that I have actually found at Wal-Mart is Natural Life. It's a high end quality food that normally sells for much more at specialty stores. My *two* cats only use one can a day (70c a can). I do supplement with a small amount of dry food as a bedtime snack.<br><br>
Wet food gets moisture into them which is important to avoid kidney problems. An all dry diet is a risk factor for kidney issues.<br><br>
I reduced weight on my cat and I really think being on wet food helped her to not freak out and feel starved. I feed three small meals rather than one large.

 

[2tadpoles]

While we're on the topic....<br><br>
I used to feed my cats wet food, with occasional kibble for snacks. I do believe that wet food is better for cats. Back when my DS was a tot, he came running to tell me that he "gave the kitties more cereal." That's when I kind of started going "hmmmm...."<br><br>
Anyway, my cats are very picky about their wet food. They won't eat the common, mushy kind of food. And I mean <b>won't</b>. I think we've gone 4-5 days at the longest stretch, with me offering it and then picking it back up after 30-45 minutes of them refusing to eat it, and trying again at the next meal with the same result. I know people say that the cats won't starve themselves, but I think 5 days is way too long to go without food and it's unhealthy.<br><br>
My problem is that the wet food they used to eat was part of the recall, and I'm irritated enough at the company that manufactured it that I won't buy from them anymore. I have yet to find another brand of food they'll eat, since they don't like stuff with peas and carrots and cranberries and all that stuff in it.<br><br>
Any suggestions? I've tried everything from Wellness down to Spot's Stew for cats. I've only looked at PetCo and the local mom-n-pop pet store.

 

[heartmama]

We use Natural Life, which was not recalled, and are very happy with it. Wal Mart sells it here--but our Wal Mart has been one of those carrying lines of organic and natural alternatives in each department over the last year. I don't know if all Wal Marts are doing this.<br><br>
I don't know how long a cat can go safely without eating. In the wild they tend to be a feast-or-famine creature, they make a kill and gorge themselves and then don't eat again until the pride makes another kill.<br><br>
I would talk to the vet. I'm pretty strict about food with the cats--I feed the best I can afford to buy or make, and that's what they get, and it changes frequently. I must be lucky as they generally eat whatever is offered--I would talk to the vet if I was dealing with extreme fickleness, just to know what behavior is safe and what is not with the cats refusal to eat.<br><br>
With all the recalls I would feel safer being tough offering homemade food. Who knows how many other foods have been poisoned? I do feel good about Natural Life, but these are scary times with store bought pet foods. I wouldn't feel good insisting on anything a cat refused, for fear it was tainted, kwim? The exception being homemade....