Weighing in…

When you’re involved with the RSPCA, they won’t let you kid yourself when your cat is getting too podgy!

I’m very guilty of turning a blind eye to little Freya’s recent weight gain.  At most, I’ve changed her biscuits to a diet variety and a prepared myself for a telling off from the vet when she goes for her jabs and check up in November….

That’s really not acceptable, is it?

That’s putting the health of my much-beloved little Freya at risk because I’m too lazy to do anything about it!

The crew came round the other evening to discuss further plans and preparations for our upcoming Crafternoon Tea event scheduled for 19th November at the Parkside Hall in Ampthill.

Oscar scarpered as he usually does but Freya, normally not much caring for folk, came in for a visit.  I think she now recognises the crew, recognises them as all being cat-daft and knows she’ll get loads of compliments about how pretty she is…

She crossed the room.

A long “Oooooooooh….” came from both Alison and Marie.  I knew immediately – as all 3 of us watched her sashay by – that, yes, Freya was larger than she should be…and I needed to fix it NOW….not wait for a telling-off in November.

The extra pounds just seem to have appeared in the last few months.  I can only think it’s because I’ve been enjoying a summer off work and so she’s been treated to a few more snacks as I’ve been home so much.  And I now leave an extra bowl of biscuits out in the hope of encouraging Oscar to nibble on some as he doesn’t seem to eat enough.  But I think biscuits are the equivalent of popcorn to Freya.  Absolutely no WAY you can walk by the bowl without snaffling a few….

So the diet started that evening.

I’ve lifted both big bowls of biscuits.  She now gets a small handful of biscuits in the morning.  If she can eke them out to last the whole day, good for her…but once that handful has gone, it’s gone for the day.  Cut her king prawn treats dramatically.  She still gets them, but not nearly as many. And a wet baggie in the morning and one in the evening.

I put myself on a diet at the same time.  If she’s cutting down, I will too.  Do us both the world of good!

Overweight and obese cats run risks of serious health issues – including diabetes, liver problems and thyroid issues – as well as putting an extra strain on their joints, which can lead to arthritis.

Letting your animal companion get fat is, effectively, you saying you think it’s OK for them to be unwell and in pain.

We recently had a VERY large tom come into Branch.  Sergeant Harry Tubbs weighed in at a eye popping 9.9kgs.  He was incredibly handsome ….but HUGE.  The stress that weight must have put on his little heart doesn’t bear thinking about.

So he’s on a very strict diet, getting plenty of exercise and, good news, he’s got his forever home lined up too.

Funnily enough, my little Freya is thoroughly enjoying the extra exercise she’s getting.  I’ve got the old laser pointer out and she’s BONKERS about it.  I give her a run around for a good half an hour each evening and she’s relishing the extra attention.

If you think your pet is overweight – don’t delay.  Get the extra pounds off them.  If unsure about the route to take, whisk them over to your vet for a check up and some advice.

Don’t hurt them with ‘love’…. x