My 86 year old Mom has a sweet cat who is great company for her, and we love him so much. But she overfeeds him, and now he's overweight. He was abused about a year ago as a stray, and had his mouth wired back together, so for a long time, he was only able to eat canned cat food. He is healed and able to eat dry food as well, but she is constantly putting a little can of food in his bowl every time he meows at her. He probably eats double/triple what he needs......I'm not sure if she's just giving in to him too much, forgetting she fed him, or what. I've fussed to no avail. Told her his obesity will lead to health issues, but she either doesn't understand or care. I feel her mild dementia plays a role, and impulsive behavior. She lives alone, and I see her once or twice a week. I wrote a note and taped it to the shelf beside the canned food that says "Feed one can in morning and One can in afternoon) - nothing seems to work short of taking away all canned food and rationing.
Years later, when my mother had to go into a rehabilitation center and then a nursing home I took the cat. I fed her the same type of food but reduced the amount and frequency and she adjusted. She’s healthy and slim.
Perhaps the day will come that your mother will no longer be able to have the cat as her companion and dependent. Until then you can try to watch out for its welfare but also recognize that there are probably psychological reasons for your mother’s over feeding behavior.
They are animals depending on responsible guardians to care for them.
Pigs are very intelligent - and clean - animals.
The cat, as with people, could be traumatized. Showing compassion for the cat - and the person (over) feeding the cat will assist all concerned. Cats, pets, like people, strategize and manipulate to get their needs met. In the case of pets, food often is a huge motivator - for attention. If the adult managing the food doesn't provide a nutritious amount, blame is on the adult(s) providing the food, not the cat (unless health issues).
His cats look like sausage rolls, but I comfort myself that they're happy and otherwise well cared-for.
You have to choose your battles.
i don’t know how to fix this because of her dementia she probably thinks she didn’t feed him cause the dish is gone.
Sorry you have to go through this, PLEASE, take care of yourself.
Regarding eating, since the cat was a stray, he will eat any type of cat food put in front of him as in his mind he fears this could be his last meal and would need to forge for food.
How great that he and your Mom get along so well, he surely lucked out when he found her :)
I suggest 1/2 can in the morning and the other half at dinnertime. Hard food can suppliment the cat in between. There are feeders that can be filled for that purpose even for water. I fed my cats (4) for years like this. No overweight cats.
Does your sister stop in in the morning and then in the evening then maybe she can feed the cat. That way the food can be kept out of Moms reach and out of sight. Or, the cat can eat the dry food during the day and sister can open a can for the evening.
This (above) is more in keeping with what the vet has told me. My 19 yr eats a lot of wet because he cannot metabolise well. The plump cat only likes a small amount of weight control dry. Go figure.
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