Chunky Monkey and Skinny Minnie: A Cat Update

Tessa

I haven't posted a cat update lately. But this week is the one-year anniversary of Emma & Tessa's addition to the Polt-erratic household, which also means it has been one-year since their last visit to the vet. I took them both in for their annual check-ups and "jabs" (shots) today.

Emma

We've noticed lately that Emma is somewhat fatter larger bigger-boned than her sister. But since they are both considerably smaller than our two previous (male) cats, we weren't sure whether Tessa was undersized or Emma was oversized. The vet's assessment? Emma is oversized. By about 20%. Fat cats are at risk for diabetes. Our last cat, White Cat, was heavy and became diabetic, requiring us to give him twice-daily insulin shots for the last 5 years of his life. Clearly we don't want to go through THAT again. So we're having to completely revise what and how we feed the cats, ie. no more grazing. Measured feedings three times a day, with the cats eating separately so that Tessa gets enough and Emma not so much. And apparently Emma needs more exercise. Perhaps it's time for the kitty treadmill?

Oh, that video makes me laugh every time. I know, I know...dangerously close to "crazy cat lady" territory...