Ragdoll Cat Forums

I am becoming a little concerned about Mocha's weight. The vet said that she would like to see him a little less rotund and I know he's put on weight since then. He actually has a fat roll on his tummy now. I free feed him and Bonkers, they get Indoor Cat Purina.

Mocha is not incredibly active, I did recently pick up a laser which he will actually chase, but that is still not a lot of exercise. He will only go after da bird if it is dragged on the floor slowly, he's not a jumper.

I'm not sure just how much food to feed him each day if I am to attempt feeding the two cats separately. He is a big cat and I don't want to under feed him. Someone suggested feeding him wet food 2x a day, and just keeping Bonkers food on a high ledge which Mocha cannot get to. Would I feed him one small can of wet food 2x a day? Any suggestions on brand?

Thank you for any help!

For an adult cat, try an adult weight control formula.

To tell if a cat is fat, you look at them from above. If they go out between the end of the ribs and the hips when standing, then they are fat. You may have to hold down the fur - or even give them a bath and look.

How old does the vet think Mocha is? How much does he weigh? I just can't imagine a ragdoll too fat, but sometimes I wonder if the vet realizes how large they are supposed to be. You know about that fat pouch they have on their belly, right?

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Oh Kitty, The other thing I was going to tell you is my boys each have 1/3 of a small (3oz) can of wet food each day, so that's 1 oz per day. It's just sort of a snack around noon. Then they have dry cat and kitten food available all the time. I don't know why cat and kitten, just because they like them both.

Thank you Jan, I will have a look.. that is really helpful. Of course, I'm sure that Mocha will wish that I had done this during his recent bath!

Katleen, I did not know about the Raggie fat pouch. When he is flopped, the fat begins at his hips and goes back to his rear. The vet thinks hes is probably around 3-4 y/o. I wonder too if she knows how big the raggies get. He weighed, I think 12.7# a few months ago, I know not big by Raggie standards normally.

Thanks so much, I will look at him from above.. hold his fur down to see if he flares out from end of ribs to hips. He seems kinda of sedentary.. but I guess that could be his personality. He does play with Bonkers, so it's not like he does nothing but sleep. I just wish that he got more exercise. I want him to be as healthy as possible.

(02-25-2010 08:38 PM)KittyGlitter Wrote: [ -> ]Thank you Jan, I will have a look.. that is really helpful. Of course, I'm sure that Mocha will wish that I had done this during his recent bath!

Katleen, I did not know about the Raggie fat pouch. When he is flopped, the fat begins at his hips and goes back to his rear. The vet thinks hes is probably around 3-4 y/o. I wonder too if she knows how big the raggies get. He weighed, I think 12.7# a few months ago, I know not big by Raggie standards normally.

Thanks so much, I will look at him from above.. hold his fur down to see if he flares out from end of ribs to hips. He seems kinda of sedentary.. but I guess that could be his personality. He does play with Bonkers, so it's not like he does nothing but sleep. I just wish that he got more exercise. I want him to be as healthy as possible.

If you put your hand under his tummy when he is standing up, you can feel that pouch hanging down. These boys even had it as little kittens.

Do all raggies have a fat pouch? Does it serve a purpose? I cant feel one or see one on Charlie but he is so furry right now it is hard to tell.

(02-25-2010 09:25 PM)nycragdoll Wrote: [ -> ]Do all raggies have a fat pouch? Does it serve a purpose? I cant feel one or see one on Charlie but he is so furry right now it is hard to tell.

Both my boys have huge fat pouches and Albus' fur doesn't cover it up but hangs low with it. Then again it's summer here...

Both my boys have a pouch, and Leo isn't even a ragdoll! Haha... I think Leo weighs about 13 pounds at almost 8 years old.

Dexter weighs the same as Mocha and he's only 10 months! We've been to the vet three times this month and the vet never said anything to me about him being overweight. He said that he's a "big boy" but not fat. I guess it could depend on the cat too, maybe for Mocha's size the vet thinks he's "wide" or something.

I had Smoke into the vet week before last and though not a ragdoll, that boy has a pouch that almost hangs to the ground (see pics in other pets, Smoke and the Snow). I made a statement to the vet that "I know he's overweight" and the vet didn't seem it all concerned..he just countered with "He's just a big cat and big boned". Smoke weighed in at 18 pounds.

You know, he may be just fine. I'll check him again more thoroughly when I can get the bum to stand long enough. He has a serious case of the floppies today.

That's good to know Matt, I think I may be overly concerned.. he is just so big and heavy. But then, he IS a raggie!

Thanks Katleen, there is definitely a fat pouch!

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Lynds and T, Bonkers has a pouch that hangs down too but with Mocha he is wide as well and that is more what concerns me. Like Jan said, he may need to be wet to really tell. Ya think Mocha would like that after just being bathed recently? LOL