New fat cat --advice, please . .pix in post 7

My kiddos and grand kid have dropped off beings here on my farm now and then --so far in the 40 years of farm ownership: three horses, two dogs, 5 cats, and one child have been left with us temporarily that turned into forever. Not really a big deal since DH and I have loved them all very much.

This weekend oldest DD dropped of a lovely yellow cat, ten years old, great addition to the clowder of two indoor queens – sisters, small as cats go, probably less than 9 pounds. The new fellow, 10 years old, is close to 25 pounds of large yellow cat. Int he two days we’ve had him, he seems to eat, sleep, eat, sleep and cause no trouble at all. He is very clean.

The problem is the size of the cat door. I measured the new cat’s girth --21 inches. The circumference of the cat door is 18 inches.

So, my question is, can a cat compress enough to get through the cat door? It is a “hole in the wall” that allows access to food, water, and 5 litter boxes –

I do have a litter box for the new cat in my sun room --it is access able to him as is food and water yet the little dog we have (40 pounds) can’t get to the litter box, food, or water.

Thoughts?

I could widen the door, but it would be a project . . .

Picture soon . . .

11 Likes

Not an expert, but cats are remarkably compressible. I would think he’d be fine, even if some of the bulk gets squeezed a little. Is he just a big cat, or overweight?

Grey

2 Likes

Can’t can smash themselves down quite a bit but a cat that fat probably won’t have much interest in walking as far as it takes to get to the cat door, never mind try to squeeze through it! :sweat_smile:

5 Likes

Pics of the Chonkasaurus are now required.

5 Likes

@Grey623 overweight --not sure how to put him on a diet as all the kitties eat the same and together.

Pix Soon . . .

26 Likes

Demanding pics of New Guy! :pray:

ETA:
He is one handsome Chonk! :heart_eyes_cat:

:thinking:Can you either feed him in a different place (no need to relocate water) or feed him less?
Assuming he won’t push the sisters off their dishes.
I’m currently feeding 1 cat - with seniority :smirk_cat: - his canned food on the couch where he presides.
New guy is tolerated, but not as a companion for meals.
Newer cat gets his in the room that has water bowls, dishes of dry food & litterboxes.
Dry food gets eaten by both, but never at the same time.
We’re now almost 6mos in & mere babysteps to acceptance of New by Old :roll_eyes:

4 Likes

Have you tried Lasagna?

20 Likes

:rofl: :rofl:

3 Likes

What a loaf! :bread: :heart_eyes:

4 Likes

So cute!!! I’m such a sucker for an orange kitty. Especially when they are bread loaf looking.

3 Likes

For his health I’d work at getting a few pounds off and also getting him more active. Cats can learn to play, just need to find the toy that excites them.

He’s adorable and looks like a chill kind of guy.

4 Likes

I’m still chuckling over "can a cat compress enough . . " Somehow that tickled me. Very handsome boy you’ve got there! And solid looking :grin:.

3 Likes

Yikes! He makes my Baler (all 20 lbs of him) look like an amateur. But he’s cute. And extra cuddly. Or as my vet says - very dense. :rofl:

3 Likes

So, has he figured out the door? Does he fit?

Grey

Hey! We need to get caught up on Red Man pictures!

Ralph used to be the heaviest at 22lbs but now an old man of 16 he’s started to lose fat. The Kittens With Mittens have put everyone else to shame at the fine age of 7. Bird is 21.5lbs with very little fat, Dizzy is now 25lbs and is just a little pleasantly plump according to the vet. The Boys are just orange behemoths.

3 Likes

They can compress and squeeze through but I wouldn’t recommend it. The top of the cat door will rub their back as they squeeze through causing discomfort and possibly causing skin abrasions or fur mats.

I bought a small dog door for my guys.

This picture shows the classic look of the typical amiable orange cat. His eyes are so pleasing and pleasant.

Does Sir Plumpsalot have a name yet?

3 Likes

Put in a new door.

10 Likes