Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 12/17/2010

Question
Hi, I have a 3 yr old overweight british shorthair (we think) and he has most the symptoms of feline diabetes (and has shown them for the two years I've had the cat), including frequent urination and excessive water drinking, as well as a flat footed gait. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to give this cat insulin care. I would obviously like to do what I can though. I can regulate his food intake (currently eats purina one dry food) as well as give supplemental care (herbal/vitamin). He is a lazy indoor only cat in a 2 cat household. He is otherwise happy and healthy. I don't know if it's related (or matters), but he has also always had -very- odorous, but normal looking stool, as well as cat dander

What should I be doing as insulin is not an option? How effective will a non-insulin treatment be?

Answer
This cat needs veterinary care and to be put on a reducing diet to slowly reduce his weight. Then he might start getting well and reversing whatever problem he has. Unless you have taken him in to be diagnoses you have no idea what he has. Kidney problems also cause frequent water consumption and consequent urination.

His diet alone is causing a lot of this problem. Are you willing to help him lose weight? Why is insulin not an option?

His stool smelling is diet related as is the cat dander. All of this is due to feeding a cheap, low quality food. We are what we eat and cats are no different.

You need to get this cat to the vets, have it looked over and diagnosed and then put him on a reducing diet of either R/D prescription food or Science Diet Feline Adult light.

Reducing his weight is imperative at this point. He is lazy because it is difficult for him to move around. His weight is like a human being about 350 lbs. Morbid obesity.

So play with him more after he sees the vet. I don't understand why you would seek out alternatives for something you are not even sure he has.

I also do not understand why someone would not give their cat medication to help them when the problem is caused by the owner in the first place. Having a cat that is obese, not being treated medically or cared for by a vet is bordering on abuse.

Please get him to the vets and get his condition checked and treated. Start with diet!!