Fattening up a cat?

[poiuytrewq]

Arlo came home very thin from his travels. We did get a bit of weight on him at first but now he’s allowed back out he’s not particularly interested in food, he never really was a big eater but now he just wants to go out so is eating less. He’s really scrawny looking.
We have this gps tracker on him now and he’s VERY active!
He stays in over night so I do get some food into him then.
He’s also very fussy! He will eat Whiskas pouches and whiskas biscuits, seeming to prefer the biscuits more but turns his nose up at other brands I’ve tried.
Is there anything really yummy and high calorie for cats?
Or as he’s only just 1 will be bulk out naturally?

 

[poiuytrewq]

He’s up to date on worming but is due jabs soon so will run that past the vets while I’m there

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I was told by a cat charity that sardines in tomato sauce is a very tempting food for cats. Does he like that or chicken?

 

[twiggy2]

I would not worry, most cats like other domestic animals are too fat.
He may still bulk out and you may find he is catching and eating, essentially having a healthier diet and being so active is maintaining a good weight.

 

[poiuytrewq]

He won’t eat chicken no, we can happily leave any meals on the side knowing he won’t touch them!
Yeah I know and I’m normally watching weight with the dogs but I think he’s too skinny!
May try the sardines!

 

[Snoozy]

We have two almost 1-year olds who are lean. They're really healthy, just really active and not too interested in food atm because they're constantly catching 'snacks'. Our old cat was the same and he never got fat no matter what we fed him - our vet recommended we worm him more often than the usual 3 months though, because he was such a keen hunter.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mm, ok. Arlo got his first mouse the other day. Well the first one he ever came home with it has been seen with. He was incredibly proud and has since been bringing about 3 a day! He just leaves them though, they never get eaten but maybe he’s eating the ones he doesn’t bring back.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I wouldn't worry about Arlo to much, he is young and active and sounds very similar to my two one year old cats who are very lean. The vet is really happy that they aren't overweight and as Twiggy says many domestic animals are fat 😁. My two get whiskers or Felix pouches morning and evening and ad lib Hills biscuits. They also live outside and are ferocious hunters but they never eat their kill, they would rather leave it for me to pick up and dispose of. They do get wormed more frequently than my house cats though purely because they hunt.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I forgot about the sardines 🤭 but did buy some tiny little gourmet cat food pouches... which I imagine he’ll turn his little pink nose up at 😂

 

[Pinkvboots]

Pilchards tuna most cats can't resist them and you can buy tins fairly cheap.

 

[poiuytrewq]

This gourmet food went down a storm actually! The fact the packets are so tiny might not be such a bad thing either as a normal pouch size can last two days so I put a clip on the top and have it hanging round. Tiny pouches would be preferable.
Will definitely try tinned fish though!

 

[fiwen30]

Did he get checked over by the vet? For me that’d be the first port of call for sudden weight loss. They should also be able to suggest higher calorie food as well.

Hills do a high calorie, tinned ‘recovery food’ for convalescing cats, but it’s not suitable for long-term feeding.

 

[poiuytrewq]

It wasn’t really sudden weight loss. He went missing for two months and lost a lot of weight.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

I wouldn't worry too much but I would keep an eye on his weight, eg weigh him every few days and jot it down. If he is losing weight then I would take him to the vet. If he seems well in himself and has nice pink gums and is happy and active then he is probably just fine. Photo please - what is is with all these people posting cat/kitten threads and not putting on accompanying photos?!

 

[GSD Woman]

I second the idea of Hill's a/d canned food. Most dogs and cats really like it. What unintentionally put weight on my cat was a food called Fussy Cat. I don't know if it is available in the UK though. My indoor/outdoor cats always stayed slim unlike my indoor only cat.

 

[alibali]

I have a fussy older cat with long term health issues who got a bit skinny. At his age by I need to be careful not to feed too much protien which would put strain on his kidneys. Spent a good while checking brands for high fat/low protien content. Whiskas kitten was the best I could conveniently obtain.

 

[paddy555]

James Wellbeloved biscuits. Turkey. Must be turkey. They make mine fat, he loves them but they do cause him to put weight on. They are very palatable.

 

[scats]

Our fussy little lady cat will only eat the purina gourmet pouches (red ones)

 

[Snoozy]

I was told by a cat charity that sardines in tomato sauce is a very tempting food for cats. Does he like that or chicken?

I tried ours with sardines in tomato sauce tonight - big hit!

 

[texas]

I wouldn't worry about his weight either, particularly as he's very active and hunting, just keep an eye on it. Do make sure his worming is up to date if he's hunting though. One of mine goes very lean in the summer as he's out hunting all the time, then gets fatter in the winter when he mainly spends his time by the fire.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

If you're concerned about Puss keeping weight on, I'd ask vet to take some bloods just to see what's going on.

How old is Puss?? Coz the other reason he might not be eating sufficiently is teeth problems.

I'm a Cats Protection fosterer, and recently I had a cat come into rescue who was desperately thin, even though she was eating. After bloods came back, it turned out she had a thyroid issue which was addressed by medication. She also had gingivitis and needed several teeth extracting. After we'd sorted her out by surgery and meds, she filled out beautifully and has just found a lovely home!

I'd ask vet to have a look, take bloods, and see what comes back.

 

[claret09]

mine quite like tinned tuna in spring water. it might be worth a try. mine are both definitely fish eating cats rather than meat eating cats. although they do love chip shop chicken!!!

 

[poiuytrewq]

He’s only just one. I think he is just very active and not a big eater.
I will certainly check with the vet soon as he’s due boosters