Fat cats

It’s turned into cat week around here. Well, I’ve been posting my cats a lot I suppose is a more accurate statement. Since people seem to like them, and Shredder especially, here’s some more cat musings.

Shredder is the magical children’s book creature in real life that he seems to be in the photos. Everyone who has met him is taken with him. He’s the pet-me-then-I-hiss-and-swat kind. He loves attention, but then decides he’s had enough and will swat you. He doesn’t hurt people anymore—he was a big hard biter when I first got him, but he’s still borderline (I love you I hate you I love you).

What kind of cat is he?

I don’t know if he’s anything aside from a domestic longhair. He looks like he could have some Persian, some Norwegian Forest Cat, some Maine Coon, but I don’t know.

How big is he?

Shredder is about 15 pounds right now. He is a large cat, with a large and long skeleton, but he’s not quite as big as a Maine Coon. When I adopted him in 2016, he was 22 pounds—morbidly obese. Over the years I’ve had him down to 13 pounds at his lowest (any lower and he’d be too thin, as he’s got a big frame), and he seems to like to settle at around 15 to 16 pounds.

How did he lose weight?

Cats are obligate carnivores; they need meat as their primary food. Not “want,” but actual need. The carb-filled kibble we feed cats is bad for them and make them fat and often diabetic.

Shredder was nine years old when I adopted him in 2016 (He’s almost 18 now) and badly neglected by his old folks owners who couldn’t care for him. Full of mats down to the skin, and morbidly obese.

For five years I had a diabetic cat named Sophie. I learned that diabetic cats especially need meat and fat—keto for cats—to keep blood sugar under control, and no carbs. So I started feeding the cats no kibble, and selecting canned cat food that had the least carbs and the most protein (you can look charts up online for major brands). Sophie needed this in addition to twice-daily insulin injections (these are really easy and quick, you may be surprised to know).

With that diet, all the cats slimmed down naturally. Shredder lost a lot of weight, and the other cats stayed in a healthy zone.

I recommend this method of feeding for all cats whether you buy canned pate or make your own cat food.

Yes, I sometimes give them kibble if I’m going to be out of town overnight, for a treat, or when they turn their nose up at the canned food. But it’s very limited.

Does he get along with other cats?

Eventually, yes, but he’s a highly territorial male who prowls his property and defends it. It takes time for him to adjust to another cat. The exception is Mina. I got her when she was a wee baby, so she’s grown up with Shredder. From the first time I brought her home, he acted like a papa to her. Never hurt her, groomed her, played, and slept with her. They’re still good friends.

Here they are eating together right after I got Mina.

Here he is play fighting with baby Mina.

And here he is on his “birthday” being Princess Perfect Paws.

If you book a coaching session with me, you’re likely to get an on-camera appearance by one of these two. As soon as I’m paying attention to someone else, they interpose themselves.

Have a shredded day!