Baron is a 9-month old altered MC, weighing approx. 15 lbs. While I know some may say this is normal for him (which is what my vet said when I called), I am not so sure. He is of course a big cat, but he also has a VERY large tummy (he's had a pronounced tummy pouch since he was very young). In short, I am afraid he's fat! I get the impression that cats generally aren't overeaters, but I'm worried that he's so young and will only get fatter. I also have another cat of about the same age that is not overweight at all. If I try to restrict Baron's diet, how do I make sure my other kitty gets enough to eat when they now share a food bowl? Or should I try to restrict Baron's diet at all, esp. since he is not yet a year old? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

Answers

I am in a situation similar to yours. Loki is almost a year old, he was found abandoned with his brother. I adopted him, and a friend of mine adopted his brother. Loki was 11lbs last time he was wieghed, and is probally heavier now. He also has developed a tummy pouch, and I worried that he may be overwieght. However, his body, pouch included, forms a blocky rectangular shape from a side view, which from my understanding is normal for a Maine coon. However, his brother doesn't seem to have the tummy pouch, although they look almost identical in every other way. Being a stray, I wasn't certain as to his breed, and it wasn't until I looked up the standards for the Maine coon on the Cat Fancy site that I became sure. I also wondered if I should restrict his diet, and wondered how to work that problem since I also have another cat. I decided to feed them both according to the amount recommended on the Science Diet bag for 2 cats. Since they both only nibble during the day, I figured they would get what amount they needed. I try to play with Loki often, to make sure he gets adequate exercise since he is much less active than my other cat. Since I don't want to restict his diet too much, I can see no other alternative, I am not an expert by any means, and I am as open to advice as you are!! I am relieved to see that someone else is as puzzled by the tummy pouch as I am, and it makes me wonder if this may be the norm for the Maine coon. I hope I have been a help to you in some small way at least.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2000

Fifteen pounds is a bit much for a 9-month old male since they gain weight through their second year (unless he comes from super large parents) but a tummy pouch is not desirable. I would give him a high quality food with a slightly lower fat content than you are giving him right now. Eliminate all snacks and try to make sure he gets plenty of exercise---10 minutes twice a day at least.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2001