Go to Spitfire's Real Animal Stories
- Add a comment
- Go to Are You Killing Your Pet Without Realizing it? You Might Be.
Kay-Ren, it's fine for all of them to eat the senior diet.
No, it won't mellow anyone out!
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 11, 2005 at 12:44 PM
| link to this | reply
SpitFire70,
Cool thank you! I will switch her to a senior diet. My other cats are about 7, but Dizzy acts like a kitten, still. Will they be okay on a senior diet too? It won't make Dizzy mellow will it? Off to find a leash for Dizzy! She'd love to go out for walks.
posted by
Kay-Ren
on April 11, 2005 at 7:50 AM
| link to this | reply
Well, Sass, actually, heartworm disease is only cause from mosquito bites,
however, being fat causes
many other life threatening problems such as diabetes, joint troubles, heart disease, etc. A lot of the same problems that humans face.
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 5, 2005 at 10:10 PM
| link to this | reply
My grandmother was gulity of this
I used to say that she slopped hers animals rather then feed them. They were fat and each always seemed to get heart worms. What is worse is she kept them on a short chain so there excercise was totally limited. I give our cat canned food about once a week. No table scraps and always dry food.
posted by
Sherri_G
on April 5, 2005 at 8:51 PM
| link to this | reply
LittlemsP, I have actually given up wondering!
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 5, 2005 at 8:41 PM
| link to this | reply
wow - it's not food until you cook it....sometimes you wonder what really goes on in people's heads!
posted by
littlemspickles
on April 5, 2005 at 7:17 PM
| link to this | reply
Oh, and yeah, Kay-Ren, there are leashes for cats.
(I knew I forgot something!)
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 5, 2005 at 6:25 PM
| link to this | reply
Kay-Ren, I have NEVER mind answering questions, so don't worry
bout that. K, so you should be feeding your 18 year old a "Senior" diet cause they need different nutrients than younger cats. All cats over the age of about 7 to 9 years old should be on a Senior diet. Also, if you can continue to keep them inside, it is much better for them. I wouldn't bother with the yearly shots if she's been inside. Her immune system is of a senior citizen, yet she's built up enough through the years to probably not catch anything especially if kept indoors. The stress may be a more tolling on her anyway.
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 5, 2005 at 6:24 PM
| link to this | reply
Great advice! Two of my cats are skinny, because I buy the light Iams for my old lady kitty. She'd 18 and even though we get her to play a bit every day or so, her only real exercise is going from one sleeping or petting place to another. Does purring burn calories? She does that a lot when she's getting her chin scratched. I'm scared to take her to the vet for her yearly shots, because she's gotten so frail that I'm afraid the 20 minute car ride in the carrier (which she hates!) would hurt her. Any advice? None of my cats go outside anymore. Too many hawks and coyotes in the area to feel good about them going out. I hate not letting them out, though, but my spouse keeps winning the argument to keep them in. I do take Dizzy for walks outside in my arms because she's the only one that jones to go out. Is there a leash for cats?
I guess it's ask Dr. Spitfire today. Sorry for all the questions at once. I should have spread them out. 
posted by
Kay-Ren
on April 5, 2005 at 2:18 PM
| link to this | reply
Mia, Geez! I certainly hope you're not!
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 9:09 PM
| link to this | reply
spitfire
So that milkbone probably is too big for the rat...am I overfeeding my rat now, geesh....lol....I think I may be the kill them with kindness type...lol
posted by
MiaElla
on April 4, 2005 at 7:57 PM
| link to this | reply
Mia, it all depends on what kind of food you're feeding her,
how much, and how many "occasional milk bones" you give her. Some popular brands of milk bones contain the same amount of fat and calories as a whole cup of dog food!
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 5:55 PM
| link to this | reply
spitfire,
What do you do in the case of my dog who is overweight and eats nothing but diet senior dog food...and an occasional milkbone? lol...could it be in her genes
posted by
MiaElla
on April 4, 2005 at 12:12 PM
| link to this | reply
Wham, how tempting...
4
me, I mean. Do ya think I could get one for free? hehe
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 2:34 AM
| link to this | reply
He is still trying to find them homes.
If I had a yard, I would probably be nutty enough to take one of them in.
posted by
WHAMENATOR
on April 4, 2005 at 1:06 AM
| link to this | reply
Thanks, Whammie. Oh, and hey, what ever happened to
that litter of wolf hybrid pups? Just curious.
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 1:04 AM
| link to this | reply
Good post, Spitts!
posted by
WHAMENATOR
on April 4, 2005 at 1:01 AM
| link to this | reply
Whacky46, that could be VERY serious!
I hope it is not including chocolate of ANY kind; especially dark or baker's chocolate!
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 12:16 AM
| link to this | reply
Thanks, Reni, and I hope you had a great b-day.
I must also admit that on OCCASION, I give Stonci a small piece of food, but only like, bread crust or something. But I know what can hurt her and what can't. Most people not in the vet med field don't and they think they're just "treating" their pet with a special something that may, in reality, be seriously injuring them or kill them.
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 12:15 AM
| link to this | reply
Wiley-Pop,
I've actually been hoping you'd mention the actual name of her diagnosis. I didn't want to bring it up to you unless you brought it up. Phipps disease. Now I will look into it and let you know.
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 12:12 AM
| link to this | reply
Darrke, it can have something to do with being a female vs. male and
being neutered, but there are many neutered and fit males and females of all walks of life. It's all about the food and exercise! (Just like humans!)
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 12:11 AM
| link to this | reply
Acckkhhh, Temple! Brussel sprouts???
They smell like old socks and taste like them, too! How barfy! Well, I'm glad you listened to your vet. Most people just blow us off as if we're just preachy for our cause. 
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 12:08 AM
| link to this | reply
Um, Rach, that's actually a GOOD thing!
Try to keep it that way, K?
posted by
SpitFire70
on April 4, 2005 at 12:05 AM
| link to this | reply
If I don't watch them closely Mom gives our dog
candy. He just loves it. But it is not good for him. Have to hide it from both of them.!
posted by
Whacky
on April 3, 2005 at 11:06 PM
| link to this | reply
So true. We try to never give our dog (big Choc lab) any human food.
Although I will admit to the occasional chunk of roast beef or pork chop from the table...She is very healthy and completey normal in size. Excellent post.
posted by
Renigade
on April 3, 2005 at 9:47 PM
| link to this | reply
Spitfire
I miss my Calypso and she was so thin. Musta been the Phipps Disease did that eh luv? Have you ever heard of Phipps disease in cats luv?
posted by
WileyJohn
on April 3, 2005 at 8:34 PM
| link to this | reply
So why is it always my skinny cat I catch up on the table stealing my kid's food? (Both fixed, but I've assumed she's so much smaller because she's a girl and he's bigger because he's a boy. She does appear to eat more/first/snatch the human goodies given a chance, etc.)
posted by
DarrkeThoughts
on April 3, 2005 at 7:50 PM
| link to this | reply
It's my pet peeve...
I hate seeing fat dogs and cats. I feed mine twice a day, and now that I'm on a tight budget, the food is not the stuff I like the best so it's higher in fat....they are a little chubbier, but not fat at all. I let them lick my fingers if I'm eating yogurt (Petie's favorite) or give Scrapper a piece of tuna or some veggies (she LOVES them). Yogurt is the only human food Petie likes, not even fish! I don't eat meat, but when I did, I would give them one bite some days. My first kitty, Mittens, got really chubby (okay, fat!) and my vet told me all the reasons why that was bad....that it was a myth that it didn't matter if cats were fat and all of that. I left her feeder out all the time. Ever since then, I feed twice a day and am really careful. I was only 19 then, but it makes sense. If it's hard on our organs, why wouldn't it be on their's? I'm glad you wrote this! By the way, Mitty's favorite food was cantelope, and Scrapper actually likes brussel sprouts! :)
posted by
Temple
on April 3, 2005 at 7:30 PM
| link to this | reply
lol
Our dog has gotten so fat (well, not really...) and picky that she refuses people food. Picky bastard isn't even fun to feed anymore!
posted by
RachelAnna
on April 3, 2005 at 7:19 PM
| link to this | reply
lol
Our dog has gotten so fat (well, not really...) and picky that she refuses people food. Picky bastard isn't even fun to feed anymore!
posted by
RachelAnna
on April 3, 2005 at 7:19 PM
| link to this | reply