 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / December 2004Fat cat contest, it's wrong!
Hello, I just read the January 2005 issue of Cat Fancy magazine. They have an article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win cash prizes. This burns my bisquits--instead of helping cat owners maintain (or lose) their pet's weight, they are encouraging it! A better contest would have been to *help* the three biggest cats lose weight. If you want to write magazine and let them know how you feel, the email is: letters@catfancy.com Rene >Hello, > >I just read the January 2005 issue of Cat Fancy magazine. They have an >article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they >have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win >cash prizes. >If you want to write magazine and let them know how you feel, the >email is: letters@catfancy.com > >Rene I don't like Cat Fancy at all. At best, it's a storybook with nice pictures. The way they prostitute themselves to their advertisers makes me sick. I quit reading it long ago when they ran an article about the "possible advantages" of feeding zoo cats DRY FOOD. With a big endorsement and advertisement by Iams of course. I didn't see the article you mention, since I don't read it regularly, but did you look to see which advertiser sponsors that contest? Sherry Sorry to follow-up my own post, but I wanted to add that instead of a subscription to Cat Fancy, your money is much better spent on Cornell's Cat Newsletter. Particularly if you're not interested in purebreds and just want good, solid cat health/behavior articles. There is some good stuff in there, and you know it's reliable information. Sherry > Sorry to follow-up my own post, but I wanted to add that instead of a > subscription to Cat Fancy, your money is much better spent on Cornell's Cat > Newsletter. Particularly if you're not interested in purebreds and just want > good, solid cat health/behavior articles. There is some good stuff in there, > and you know it's reliable information. Put out by Cornell University?  Signaturehttp://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/pages/hodge.html >Sorry to follow-up my own post, but I wanted to add that instead of a >subscription to Cat Fancy, your money is much better spent on Cornell's Cat >Newsletter. Particularly if you're not interested in purebreds and just want >good, solid cat health/behavior articles. There is some good stuff in there, >and you know it's reliable information. Another good one is Catnip, from Tufts University School of Medicine. They are similar to Catwatch, Cornell's newsletter, although in some ways I think they are actually more accurate. As for Cat Fancy, I think they don't have much choice but to cater to their advertisers, as many magazines must to survive. Cats magazine and the Whole Cat Journal did not survive financially, so that leaves Cat Fancy and they appear to be on shaky grounds as well. Your modest subscription fee does not keep a magazine like that afloat; they need advertising dollars. >As for Cat Fancy, I think they don't have much choice but to cater to their >advertisers, as many magazines must to survive. Cats magazine and the Whole >Cat >Journal did not survive financially, so that leaves Cat Fancy and they appear >to be on shaky grounds as well. Your modest subscription fee does not keep a >magazine like that afloat; they need advertising dollars. I've worked in print media all my life and am familiar with the practice of sucking up to the advertisers and politicians. Maybe that's why I notice it so much in Cat Fancy, and hate it just as much. And you're right; your subscription fee is usually just gravy to the publication; however; they depend on your subscription itself to raise their circulation numbers so that they *can* hook the big advertisers. If anybody likes reading Cat Fancy, that's fine; as long as you're reading it for the pretty pictures and cute stories and taking the other stuff with a grain of salt. Sherry >If anybody likes reading Cat Fancy, that's fine; as long as you're reading it >for the pretty pictures and cute stories and taking the other stuff with a >grain of salt. I hope readers do take their health-related articles with a grain of salt because I agree they are often rife with mistakes, but I suspect many cat owners don't know about the veterinary school newsletters. It's curious to me that the Fancy Publications do manage to survive when their competitors have failed. All the Fancy Publication magazines seem to be at least partially devoted to purebred animals--is popular interest that strong? > >If anybody likes reading Cat Fancy, that's fine; as long as you're reading it > >for the pretty pictures and cute stories and taking the other stuff with a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > competitors have failed. All the Fancy Publication magazines seem to be at > least partially devoted to purebred animals--is popular interest that strong? Is TV Guide the best-selling periodical in the United States, with the National Enquirer a close second? >>If anybody likes reading Cat Fancy, that's fine; as long as you're reading >>it [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > because I agree they are often rife with mistakes, but I suspect many cat > owners don't know about the veterinary school newsletters. So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? >So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? No, their content isn't available online but you can subscribe online: http://www.tufts.edu/vet/publications/catnip/ http://www.vet.cornell.edu/publicresources/cat.htm >>So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? > >No, their content isn't available online but you can subscribe online: >http://www.tufts.edu/vet/publications/catnip/ > >http://www.vet.cornell.edu/publicresources/cat.htm I just went and subscribed to both. Funny thing is the same guy answered the phone to takes the subscription orders. I guess some outfit in FL sells the subscriptions. -mhd >I just went and subscribed to both. Funny thing is the same guy >answered the phone to takes the subscription orders. I guess some >outfit in FL sells the subscriptions. > >-mhd You'll enjoy Catwatch. I save some that are of special interest to me and pass the rest on to friends. >>I just went and subscribed to both. Funny thing is the same guy >>answered the phone to takes the subscription orders. I guess [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > You'll enjoy Catwatch. I save some that are of special interest > to me and pass the rest on to friends. I still haven't read all of those yet! SignatureCheryl > >I just went and subscribed to both. Funny thing is the same guy > >answered the phone to takes the subscription orders. I guess some [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > You'll enjoy Catwatch. I save some that are of special interest to me and pass > the rest on to friends. I used to keep the subscription forms and a copy of the Cornell Book of Cats on the table in our adoption center. That's about the best all-around book on feline care. I tremble at how little adopters know about cats. Cornell used to publish a book every year or two that was a collection of Catwatch issues. Phil >>So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? > > No, their content isn't available online but you can subscribe online: > http://www.tufts.edu/vet/publications/catnip/ > > http://www.vet.cornell.edu/publicresources/cat.htm Just in time! I'm going to subscribe to both and will also give a gift subscription to my sister. MaryL >>>So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >MaryL CatWatch does appear to be online now: http://www.catwatchnewsletter.com/ jmc usenet [at] jodi [dit] ws Any day you learn something isn't a total waste. >>>>So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? >>> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > usenet [at] jodi [dit] ws > Any day you learn something isn't a total waste. Thanks for the information. It looks like the online version is free to subscribers. MaryL >>>>>So are any of these newsletters available on line? Do you have links? >>>> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > >MaryL Yes, otherwise what you are seeing online is only the first paragraph of each article. You still have to subscribe to see the whole thing. >From: yngver@aol.comnospam (Yngver) >Another good one is Catnip, from Tufts University School of Medicine. They >are >similar to Catwatch, Cornell's newsletter, although in some ways I think they >are actually more accurate. I got a trial issue of either Catnip or Catwatch, I honestly can't remember which. They had an article about laser surgery. A vet was saying how great laser surgery is for declawing cats. Needless to say, I did not take their publication. >As for Cat Fancy, I think they don't have much choice but to cater to their >advertisers, as many magazines must to survive. Cats magazine and the Whole >Cat >Journal did not survive financially, so that leaves Cat Fancy and they appear >to be on shaky grounds as well. Your modest subscription fee does not keep a >magazine like that afloat; they need advertising dollars. I really miss Whole Cat Journal, especially before that new publisher took it over. They really had some good information in there. I do get Cat Fancy because it was a gift from my employer. To me, it seems like a magazine geared towards breeders. Rene, thanks for letting me know about the fat cat contest. I will tell them how I feel. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm >>From: yngver@aol.comnospam (Yngver) > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >laser surgery is for declawing cats. Needless to say, I did not take their >publication. There have been a few articles about declawing in both newsletters, so I don't recall which one may have said that. My guess would be Catwatch, because Tufts is pretty strongly anti-declaw. However, like a lot of the cat-related media, they do tend to depict "both sides" of the declawing issue. Obviously you can always find a vet to quote supporting "last resort" declawing (I've observed that almost all vets who support declawing say they only support it in cases where the owner has tried everything else and would otherwise abandon the cat, yet in practice you sure see a lot of vets doing routine declawing.) Tufts/Catnip often quotes Dr. Dodman for its articles, however, and of course he is very much opposed to declawing. >>As for Cat Fancy, I think they don't have much choice but to cater to their >>advertisers, as many magazines must to survive. Cats magazine and the Whole [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >I really miss Whole Cat Journal, especially before that new publisher took it >over. Yes, and I think I paid for about three years worth of issues from the new publisher, and we've received what, maybe three issues altogether? Basically she just took everyone's money who had subscribed to the original Journal and gave us practically nothing in return. They really had some good information in there. I do get Cat Fancy >because it was a gift from my employer. To me, it seems like a magazine >geared >towards breeders. I could do without Cat Fancy myself, but I also got something like a five year subscription as a gift. I do like the pictures of all the beautiful cats. I wouldn't say it's really geared towards breeders because breeders already know most of what's covered in the magazine, but I think it's more geared toward people interested in purchasing purebred cats as pets rather than showing them. I do like the show schedules because I like to go to cat shows. I suspect Cat Fancy's philosophy is derived from Dog Fancy. Dog people as a whole seem interested in learning more about all the different breeds. >Rene, thanks for letting me know about the fat cat contest. I will tell them >how I feel. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html >Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > Sorry to follow-up my own post, but I wanted to add that instead of a > subscription to Cat Fancy, your money is much better spent on Cornell's Cat > Newsletter. Particularly if you're not interested in purebreds and just want > good, solid cat health/behavior articles. There is some good stuff in there, > and you know it's reliable information. Excellent advice. Cornell's newsletter is "CatWatch". Tuff's University also puts out an excellent newsletter: "Catnip" - its a little more technical but easy to understand. Phil > Sherry > Sorry to follow-up my own post, but I wanted to add that instead of a > subscription to Cat Fancy, your money is much better spent on Cornell's Cat > Newsletter. Particularly if you're not interested in purebreds and just want > good, solid cat health/behavior articles. There is some good stuff in there, > and you know it's reliable information. I love Cornell, had no idea about the newletter though. I look at their vet site all the time. > Hello, > > I just read the January 2005 issue of Cat Fancy magazine. They have an > article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they > have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win > cash prizes. Brilliant. Now, some morons will deliberately try to fatten up their cats to compete in an utterly stupid contest, for which the grand prize will be predisposition to diabetes and hepatic lipidosis. > This burns my bisquits--instead of helping cat owners maintain (or > lose) their pet's weight, they are encouraging it! A better contest > would have been to *help* the three biggest cats lose weight. > > If you want to write magazine and let them know how you feel, the > email is: letters@catfancy.com The best letter to send is a canncellation of your subscription with the reason for your cancellation. >> article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they >> have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >to compete in an utterly stupid contest, for which the grand prize will be >predisposition to diabetes and hepatic lipidosis. Exactly my thoughts. And don't think there's not some moron out there who will try to fatten their cat up even more to win the stupid contest. It's one of the most irresponsible things I've ever heard of any animal magazine printing. If I were a subscriber, I'd cancel and tell them why. Since I'm not, I'm telling them anyway. Sherry Sherry > >> article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they > >> have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Sherry That sounds like a good idea, but also if there were enough "letters to the editor" denouncing this practise, that might help as well. Especially if you could get a few vets you know to maybe sign a pre-written letter or something as well... Catherine > >> article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they > >> have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > try to fatten their cat up even more to win the stupid contest. It's one of the > most irresponsible things I've ever heard of any animal magazine printing. Mind boggling isn't it? Where did Cat Fancy find their editor, Zap comics? If > I were a subscriber, I'd cancel and tell them why. Since I'm not, I'm telling > them anyway. Good idea. I think I'll follow your lead. Phil > >> article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they > >> have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Sherry Sherry, Sorry I'm coming back to my post so late (out of town for Thanksgiving). I had been considering not renewing my sub to Cat Fancy, since I'm beyond most of the articles anyway. I have gotten CatWatch for several years and enjoy it very much. *That's* the type of information I need, not the fluffy stuff CF mostly runs. I will be interested to see how many (or IF) they include the letters of disgust they get for this contest. Rene > Sherry I had just been saying how stupid these eating contests are for people, most of whom are grossly over weight but to do it with cats is cruelty plain and simple. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. >> >> article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they >> >> have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Rene >> Sherry st I haven't subscribed to CF for several years. When I first subscribed -- about 1984, it was a great magazine. In the later years, there seemed to be way too much advertising and the stories were not that great. The pictures were always beautiful. I occasionally pick one up when I go to the Pet store. MLB >I just read the January 2005 issue of Cat Fancy magazine. They have an >article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they >have a contest for the "fattest cat." The three fattest cats will win >cash prizes. The Guiness Book of world records stopped their fattest contests because it encourages unhealthy behavior. That is irresponsible of them. > >I just read the January 2005 issue of Cat Fancy magazine. They have an > >article about trimming down your fat cat. Within the article, they [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > The Guiness Book of world records stopped their fattest contests because it > encourages unhealthy behavior. That is irresponsible of them. Well, to clarify -- it's responsible of Guinness to have stopped. :) Signaturehttp://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/ > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Rene That's an abomination! It's sort of like posting high-calorie menus on a weight-loss newsgroup. Thanks for including their e-mail addy. I will write to them tomorrow (too tired tonight). MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly: >'o'< http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") Playing devil's advocate here: What if the contest brings about the education of reducing weight in cats and the problems they have being overweight? SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Rene >Playing devil's advocate here: What if >the contest brings about the education of >reducing weight in cats and the problems >they have being overweight? And what *exactly* about such a contest will "educate" people about reducing weight in cats when they are getting ACCOLADES/PAID/REWARDED/PUBLICITY to have FAT cats? Megan (shaking head yet again...) Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray How on *earth* could that be? If you read the notice, the contest says they are looking for the three fattest cats, and they ask you to submit photos. The prizes are cash payouts--no mention of health, losing weight, fitness, or diet plans anywhere in the contest. The whole idea is absurd. If you read the fat cats article that it's tied with, even that is weak. I wrote a letter to the editor b/c the only answer they gave for overweight cats is: buy prescription diet food from your vet. My Tucker is proof that's not always the answer. Rene > Playing devil's advocate here: What if the contest brings about the > education of reducing weight in cats and the problems they have being [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > > > Rene You are not looking at the big picture here. This could put a spotlight on feline health issues. You wrote a letter to the editor didn't you? Sometimes even the most unusual cat contests can open the door to educate about feline health and care. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > How on *earth* could that be? If you read the notice, the contest says > they are looking for the three fattest cats, and they ask you to [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >> > >> > Rene > You are not looking at the big picture here. This could put a spotlight on > feline health issues. You wrote a letter to the editor didn't you? Sometimes > even the most unusual cat contests can open the door to educate about feline > health and care. Zoom -- whoosh -- right over... The "big picture", myopic imbecile, is people are being *rewarded* for having an obese cat which will *encourage* others to do the same. Doncha think some idiots might start fattening up their cats for next year's contest? Instead of prizes, the "winner" should be fined for every day their cat remains overweight -- and ordered to provide community service in a municipal shelter. I kind of expected this type of post from you. Name call first before trying to make your point. A fat cat conest might have the reverse effect that is intended. More people might actually get educated about cat care and health. Some might say it will encourage others to fatten their cats up but others might see this as an opportunity to educate about healthy cats. Another factor in this contest is the possibility that some cats that are rescued may already be heavy. I think it is however you want to look at it. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > Zoom -- whoosh -- right over... The "big picture", myopic imbecile, is > people are being *rewarded* for having an obese cat which will *encourage* [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > remains overweight -- and ordered to provide community service in a > municipal shelter. >A fat cat conest might have the reverse effect that is >intended. More people might actually get educated about cat care and health. >Some might say it will encourage others to fatten their cats up but others >might see this as an opportunity to educate about healthy cats. Another >factor in this contest is the possibility that some cats that are rescued >may already be heavy. I think it is however you want to look at it. GAWD you live in La La Land. Sherry >From: sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) >>A fat cat conest might have the reverse effect that is >>intended. More people might actually get educated about cat care and health. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Sherry I think he's the mayor. ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm >>>Some might say it will encourage others to fatten their cats up but others >>>might see this as an opportunity to educate about healthy cats. Another [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >I think he's the mayor. ROFL!! Sherry > >A fat cat conest might have the reverse effect that is > >intended. More people might actually get educated about cat care and health. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > > GAWD you live in La La Land. I'll say. How about educating about healthy cats USING HEALTHY CATS as an example? Hmmm. Signaturehttp://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/ >> >A fat cat conest might have the reverse effect that is >> >intended. More people might actually get educated about cat care and [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >I'll say. How about educating about healthy cats USING HEALTHY CATS as >an example? Hmmm. I suppose a few people might actually be proud of how fat their cat is, but most people I know would be too embarrassed to enter that kind of contest. Or defensive. We have a couple of relatives who have obese cats, or rather, one of them was obese until he developed hyperthyroidism, and in both cases, they would get insulted or miffed if we commented on their cats' weight problems. I know they would never enter a contest bragging about how fat their cats are or were. "Yngver" <yngver@aol.comnospam> wrote > > > I suppose a few people might actually be proud of how fat their cat is, but > most people I know would be too embarrassed to enter that kind of contest. Or [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > know they would never enter a contest bragging about how fat their cats are or > were. My sweet Buddha is way too fat and it makes my heart lurch. Since we had the ultrasound and it showed no obvious heart disease she has been on a diet and exercise program (LASER POINTER, hahaha!) and I will find out if she has lost any in December. But it is an uphill battle as she was fat before her hyperthyroid was corrected, so now she is even fatter. >My sweet Buddha is way too fat and it makes my heart lurch. Since we >had the ultrasound and it showed no obvious heart disease she has been on >a diet and exercise program (LASER POINTER, hahaha!) and I will find >out if she has lost any in December. But it is an uphill battle as she was >fat before her hyperthyroid was corrected, so now she is even fatter. Mary, why don't you give Hills M/D a try? I've had Gus on it for ~3 months and it has really helped him to lose weight. He always was a whiner for continuous handouts but since going on the M/D he seems more satisfied with what he gets. -mhd > Mary, why don't you give Hills M/D a try? I've had Gus on it for ~3 > months and it has really helped him to lose weight. He always was a > whiner for continuous handouts but since going on the M/D he seems > more satisfied with what he gets. Hi, thanks, I will! I should have asked if anyone knew of a good food. I'll see if my vet has it. > "Yngver" <yngver@aol.comnospam> wrote > > > > I suppose a few people might actually be proud of how fat their cat is, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > out if she has lost any in December. But it is an uphill battle as she was > fat before her hyperthyroid was corrected, so now she is even fatter. Mary, what type of weight loss program is Buddha on? If you're interested, I can tell you about the weight-loss program we've had success with. Also, you might want to think about getting a good pediatric scale so you can monitor her weight more closely. Its hard to notice subtle weight losses or gains in a cat you're with everyday. Seeing small losses every few days reduces the frustration and lets you know the program is working. I highly recommend the Tanita 1583. The 1583 has gradations down to .5 oz (10 g). I've had mine for a few years and I have absolutely no complaints. Tanita makes excellent scales. I also have a BLB-12 that I use for weighing cats on fluid therapy. The gradations go down to .1 oz, but you don't need a scale that accurate (and expensive) for normal weighing. Here's how simple it is: http://www.maxshouse.com/weighing_a_cat_made_easy.htm Phil "Phil P." <phil@maxshouse.org> wrote > > Mary, what type of weight loss program is Buddha on? I cut her dry food down to 1/4 cup a day that I give her in sprinkles if she begs too much. (This cat is intense--stares at me like "I will KILL you if you don't FEED me and screams at me!) Then she gets half a can of the only cat food she loves *wince* FF Chopped Grill-- every 12 hours. We play every night, her galloping after the pointer. >If you're interested, > I can tell you about the weight-loss program we've had success with. Also, > you might want to think about getting a good pediatric scale so you can > monitor her weight more closely. Its hard to notice subtle weight losses or > gains in a cat you're with everyday. Seeing small losses every few days > reduces the frustration and lets you know the program is working. I'd love to hear about the program you have had success with. Perhaps you will post it hereso others can benefit too? > I highly recommend the Tanita 1583. The 1583 has gradations down to .5 oz > (10 g). I've had mine for a few years and I have absolutely no complaints. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Phil I'll ask for it for Christmas. I already take her heart rate twice a day, by the way, with the stethascope I bought. It is down around 180 most of the time now--down from 300+! > "Phil P." <phil@maxshouse.org> wrote > > > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > by the way, with the stethascope I bought. It is down around 180 > most of the time now--down from 300+! That's some drop! Was her heartbeat as fast at home as at the vet's office? Might have been due to excitment/fear/stress. Speaking of stethoscopes, I have an electronic model (Littmann 4000) that amplifies and records the hearbeat and sends the recording to a computer via IF. Its great for comparing HB and sounds in different body positions and situations. Its also great for recording *purrs*. Instead of one of those sound machines, I can fall asleep to my cats' purrs. Nothin' better than that! Phil >> It is down around 180 > > most of the time now--down from 300+! > > That's some drop! Was her heartbeat as fast at home as at the vet's office? > Might have been due to excitment/fear/stress. Actually, it was around 300 at home and may have been higher than that at the vet's office. (When the heart rate gets that high it is almost too fast to count, at least to the human ear--so it is hard to get an accurate count.) This is why she was having fainting spells--the vet said she might be going into episodes of fibrillation. Since he put her on the beta blocker and Tapazole no more episodes. I was so relieved that her heart looked healthy on the ultrasound! I was convinced we were too late and she already had advanced heart disease. Doc says we can take her off the beta blockers soon, since the Tapazole is keeping her heart rate down. > Speaking of stethoscopes, I have an electronic model (Littmann 4000) that > amplifies and records the hearbeat and sends the recording to a computer via > IF. Its great for comparing HB and sounds in different body positions and > situations. Its also great for recording *purrs*. Instead of one of those > sound machines, I can fall asleep to my cats' purrs. Nothin' better than > that! Ahh, now that sounds neat! >> My sweet Buddha is way too fat and it makes my heart lurch. Since we >> had the ultrasound and it showed no obvious heart disease she has been on [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >http://www.maxshouse.com/weighing_a_cat_made_easy.htm I second Phil's advice--in fact, I followed it myself and bought the Tanita scale about a year and a half ago. We weigh all three cats once a week. It's been invaluable in helping the two pudgy ones lose weight, while trying to keep the slim one's weight up to where it should be--she has had a very hard time adjusting when we had to quit free feeding and it's taken almost a year to get her weight back up to what it should be. It's true, you can't really tell whether a cat is gaining or losing a little weight just by looking or even whether or not they feel heavier or lighter. We used to do that and were almost always wrong. Now we can see when one of the cats' weight is creeping up a few ounces and cut back with the treats or increase the amount of playtime. > >> >A fat cat conest might have the reverse effect that is > >> >intended. More people might actually get educated about cat care and [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > or > were. People with fat cats seem to think they're depriving their babies if they feed them less. I find Hodge is healthy enough on what doesn't seem to me like much food, but then I'm not a cat. :) Signaturehttp://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/pages/hodge.html I also agree that Cat Fancy is wrong to promote this kind of contest. Our cat Stinky is a little overweight,as she gets the best of care , and a high fiber diet. However she had some health issues in her kittenhood. Her only treat is fresh turkey, from the deli. >I also agree that Cat Fancy is wrong to promote this kind of contest. >Our cat Stinky is a little overweight,as she gets the best of care , and >a high fiber diet. However she had some health issues in her >kittenhood. Her only treat is fresh turkey, from the deli. You know, I finally got around to looking at the Jan. 2005 issue of Cat Fancy to see the article "Trim Down Your Fat Cat" along which is the sidebar describing the fat cat contest. So I pose the question: how many of you posting in this thread, aside from the OP, have actually seen the article? I do agree the contest can be understood as a "fattest cat" contest (and obviously promoting obesity is not a good idea) although that's not what it actually says. It sounds more like a photo contest to me. Since the winners will be published in the Nov. 2005 issue, and the rules say that Cat Fancy can use the photos any way they please, I wonder if they will not be used to accompany another "how to trim down your fat cat" article. There is also a spoiled cat contest in Cat Fancy sponsored by Precious Cat Products. Do you think this contest promotes spoiling your cat? I guess it depends on what someone considers spoiled. > I do agree the contest can be understood as a "fattest cat" contest (and > obviously promoting obesity is not a good idea) although that's not what it > actually says. It sounds more like a photo contest to me. Since the winners > will be published in the Nov. 2005 issue, and the rules say that Cat Fancy can > use the photos any way they please, I wonder if they will not be used to > accompany another "how to trim down your fat cat" article. People rarely read what anything actually says, alas. Signaturehttp://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/ >I do agree the contest can be understood as a "fattest cat" contest (and >obviously promoting obesity is not a good idea) although that's not what it [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >use the photos any way they please, I wonder if they will not be used to >accompany another "how to trim down your fat cat" article. I really don't see the difference in a "fattest cat" contest and a "photo contest" restricted to fat cats. The owners are still compensated with a cash prize for having an obese animal to photograph. I suppose it remains to be seen in what light Cat Fancy chooses to display the contest winners though. Sherry >>I do agree the contest can be understood as a "fattest cat" contest (and >>obviously promoting obesity is not a good idea) although that's not what it [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >contest winners though. >Sherry I don't know. I do think it's a good idea for people to write to them to complain, because with just a little tweaking they could have made the contest less objectionable. The contest could have been sponsored by a mfr of a weight control diet, for example, and the prizes could have been a hundred dollars worth of low calorie cat food plus a diet plan made up individually by a nutritionist. I think there is a difference in a photo contest and a "fattest cat" contest, in that usually Cat Fancy just picks the cutest pictures. Even a normal size cat, when it has attempted to squeeze itself into a shoebox a few sizes too small, looks fat and makes for a cute picture. I have a picture of one of our cats sleeping draped over the (broad) arm of a sofa--and she looks enormous, although at the time she weighed just a pound more than she weighs now. Her legs are spread out to either side, with her chin on the arm of the sofa, so it makes her look pretty fat. >People with fat cats seem to think they're depriving their babies if >they feed them less. Ahem. I have a fat cat. :-) Honestly, I feel like I'm abusing her if I feed her, and she thinks I'm abusing her if I don't. She's known hunger before, and she's been a piggish eater since I've had her. She cleans up what the others leave if I'm not right there to grab the bowls up. My other cats are like Hodge. They don't seem to eat much at all, but they're a healthy size. Sherry > >People with fat cats seem to think they're depriving their babies if > >they feed them less. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > a > healthy size. No, he'd BE a fat cat if I let him free fed (which I did at first, when he got up to 17 lbs. before the veterinarian pointed out that he can't be free fed). Now he gets fed a limited amount twice a day and is down to 12. The top photo on his page shows how enormously fat he was at 17 lbs. (which I am ashamed to admit I didn't notice because I was still thinking of my old cat, who could free feed without gaining weight). I'm sorry I wasn't clear -- I meant people who have obviously fat cats (or dogs), some of whom can barely walk, and who still feed them treats and copious amounts of food as though they would starve if not given them or as if they would be deprived like little children. I believe psychologists call it "projection." Signaturehttp://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/pages/hodge.html >No, he'd BE a fat cat if I let him free fed (which I did at first, when >he got up to 17 lbs. before the veterinarian pointed out that he can't >be free fed). Now he gets fed a limited amount twice a day and is down >to 12. The top photo on his page shows how enormously fat he was at 17 Wow, Hodge is a handsome guy. You did great, getting him to lose that weight. It's hard to slim a cat down, and that's a considerable amount of weight he lost. You're right about projection. I've seen it in fat dogs a lot too. Sherry >>People with fat cats seem to think they're depriving their babies if >>they feed them less. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >healthy size. >Sherry I have to agree--sometimes it's pretty hard to keep the weight off a particular cat. In my sister's case--and her cat, until he developed hyperthyroidism, was one of the fattest cats I've ever seen--she tried all sorts of ways to slim him down, as she is very health-conscious herself. The problem was that he was a rescue who had apparently been starving, and if he didn't get enough food to satisfy him he followed her around constantly howling. She just couldn't stand the horrible noise. I also know from experience that sometimes cats get fat without you quite realizing how fat they really are. One of our cats developed asthma, and because she didn't feel good she spent most of the day sleeping (and the rest of the time eating). Okay, we could see she was getting fat but we didn't realize she was sick--and I do think our vet should have been more forceful in telling us she needed to lose weight. He just said we shouldn't free feed her, but he didn't warn us about health problems. Once she was diagnosed with asthma and began treatment, she felt better and became more active (and we quit free feeding). She has lost a little more than two pounds now (down from a high of 14 pounds) and seeing her active, playful and happy now that she is at a near-normal weight makes us feel really guilty for letting her get so fat. I think lots of people are that way--once the cat slims down, you realize how bad it was to let him/her get fat, but at the time you don't necessarily see how bad it is. >The problem was that he was a >rescue who had apparently been starving, and if he didn't get enough food to >satisfy him he followed her around constantly howling. She just couldn't >stand >the horrible noise. It's true! That's *exactly* how Biskit is. When we have company, she even tries to lead people to the food bowl.Everytime *anyone* gets out of a chair at this house, she runs to them, meows, and runs to the food bowl. Sherry >>The problem was that he was a >>rescue who had apparently been starving, and if he didn't get enough food to [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >this >house, she runs to them, meows, and runs to the food bowl. Yes, my sister's cat was never shy around strangers either--just in case they might give him some food. So what have you been able to do to limit your cat's food intake? My sister never found anything that worked, until at age 14 he developed hyperthyroidism and lost several pounds. At first she thought he was losing weight because she had just moved to a bigger house and he had more room to walk around. In his case hyperthyroidism was probably good fortune and may actually prolong his life. >So what have you been able to do to limit your cat's >food intake? Lock her up in the bathroom to feed. That way the others can eat and I can pick up the bowls so she doesn't do clean-up. It's a pain. I don't know how else to do it. The others also like to "nibble" then come back and finish, but they're learning they better eat it before I grab the bowl. And just try not to get annoyed at her constant begging. I'm hoping she'll learn it doesn't get her any more food, and she'll stop. So far not. I had a really fat cat once. It's so hard to get them to lose. I always felt really bad about him being so fat, even though he lived relatively healthy till 17. Here he is: http://members.aol.com/sriddles/cherokeesherry.jpg http://members.aol.com/sriddles/cherokee.jpg Sherry >t's so hard to get them to lose. I always felt >really bad about him being so fat, even though he lived relatively healthy [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >http://members.aol.com/sriddles/cherokeesherry.jpg >http://members.aol.com/sriddles/cherokee.jpg A real cutie, and I have to say, I've seen fatter cats than that. One of my previous cats, who also lived to age 17, was fat for a few years, when she was middle aged, but when she got older she got slim again, and it became hard to keep her weight up. > >t's so hard to get them to lose. I always felt > >really bad about him being so fat, even though he lived relatively healthy [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > middle aged, but when she got older she got slim again, and it became hard to > keep her weight up. How did I miss this picture! It looks like my Buddha but with long hair! Sherry is that you? >How did I miss this picture! It looks like my Buddha but with long hair! >Sherry is that you? LOL, yeah, the big black and white one is me. Sherry > >How did I miss this picture! It looks like my Buddha but with long hair! > >Sherry is that you? > > > LOL, yeah, the big black and white one is me. > > Sherry No, no, I meant the woman holding the cat! >> LOL, yeah, the big black and white one is me. >> >> Sherry > >No, no, I meant the woman holding the cat! That's what I meant. Me and Cherokee are both dressed alike! I miss that cat so bad. He was the best cat I ever had. Sherry > >> LOL, yeah, the big black and white one is me. > >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > That's what I meant. Me and Cherokee are both dressed alike! I miss that cat > so bad. He was the best cat I ever had. Oh duh, I get it. You'd be surprised how much we look alike--I actually wore my hair like that ten years ago, too, though mine is dark blonde. You look taller than me, though, I am only 5'5". (I'd post a photo but I've p*ssed too many people off and would hate to see my head set atop a photo of a Sumo wrestler.) :) I'd post a photo but I've p*ssed too many people > off and would hate to see my head set atop a photo of a Sumo > wrestler.) :) Aw man. Actually, I pegged you as someone who really wouldn't care about that sort of thing. SignatureCheryl > I'd post a photo but I've p*ssed too many people > > off and would hate to see my head set atop a photo of a Sumo > > wrestler.) :) > > Aw man. Actually, I pegged you as someone who really wouldn't care > about that sort of thing. Pffft. Nice try. ;) >Oh duh, I get it. You'd be surprised how much we look >alike--I actually wore my hair like that ten years ago, too, though mine is >dark blonde. You look taller than me, though, I am only 5'5". Oooo that's uncanny. I'm not as tall as you are, not quite 5'2'' Sherry > >Oh duh, I get it. You'd be surprised how much we look > >alike--I actually wore my hair like that ten years ago, too, though mine is > >dark blonde. You look taller than me, though, I am only 5'5". > > Oooo that's uncanny. I'm not as tall as you are, not quite 5'2'' No you're not! I always pictured you as tall! ;) > >> LOL, yeah, the big black and white one is me. > >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > That's what I meant. Me and Cherokee are both dressed alike! No you're not! You're not wearing white socks! ;-> I miss that cat > so bad. He was the best cat I ever had. He sure is a handsome cat. I said "is" because his spirit will live on as long as you keep him alive in your heart. How about a picture of Yoda? Its only been about 4 years.... Phil > Sherry >How about a picture of Yoda? Its only been about 4 years.... > >Phil Oh geez, thanks for asking. Here's a pic of him with the blanket he got for his birthday in September. He loves blankets. http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/yoblanket.jpg Here's a pic of him on the cat tree we made for the shelter cats for Christmas I wanted to show you. We just used freebie material, carpet scraps and scrap lumber, and finished up with sisal when we ran out of carpet. Took it down there last week, they loved it. http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/yocattree.jpg Sherry >Oh geez, thanks for asking. Here's a pic of him with the blanket he got for >his >birthday in September. He loves blankets. >http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/yoblanket.jpg Sorry, I screwed up the link. http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/yoblanket1.jpg Sherry > >Oh geez, thanks for asking. Here's a pic of him with the blanket he got for > >his [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Sherry He's one handsome fella! I feel like I know him - like we've been through so much together! I never forgot him and how dedicated and determined you were to pull him through. That's a helluva tree! You made it? You could probably raise a fortune for your shelter by building and selling them. Have you thought about doing that? I'm happy I got to see the Yo-Man..... finally.....after 4 years! ;-> Thanks for posting the pictures. Phil > Sorry, I screwed up the link. > http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/yoblanket1.jpg He's gorgeous. >>Oh geez, thanks for asking. Here's a pic of him with the blanket he got for >>his [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Sherry love marmalade kitties. MLB >>How about a picture of Yoda? Its only been about 4 years.... >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > with sisal when we ran out of carpet. Took it down there last week, they > loved it. http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/yocattree.jpg Awww. What a cutie. That cat tree still amazes me. Signaturemonique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey DLH with an attitude! >Awww. What a cutie. That cat tree still amazes me. Aww, thanks. He's my best bud. You weren't on the groups back then I don't think, but Oct. of 00 he was half dead and couldn't even drag himself with his front legs. If Phil Pass had not talked me into changing vets I don't think he would have made it. Don't ever underestimate the value of the people here. :-) RE: the cat tree. I hit the motherload yesterday. I talked to a builder/contractor, who told me I can have all the carpet remnants I can haul away :-) Sherry > RE: the cat tree. I hit the motherload yesterday. I talked to a > builder/contractor, who told me I can have all the carpet > remnants I can haul away :-) Lucky you!! SignatureCheryl >> RE: the cat tree. I hit the motherload yesterday. I talked to a >> builder/contractor, who told me I can have all the carpet >> remnants I can haul away :-) > >Lucky you!! OH yeah. Turns out contractors are a much better source. The carpet stores don't deal in "scrap", only large pieces that they want to sell. The pieces that builders call "scrap" are just right for cat trees. So now, the total cost for a large cat tree is about $30, lumber/sisal/staples/screws. We made a small one the other day to use up the rest of the carpet piece we had, gave it to my daughter. Here it is http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/erniecattree.jpg It was really quick to make. Sherry >>> RE: the cat tree. I hit the motherload yesterday. I talked to a >>> builder/contractor, who told me I can have all the carpet remnants I can [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/erniecattree.jpg It was really quick to > make. *That* was really quick to make? I know you already sent me the CD, but, um, would you take custom orders? =) Signaturemonique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey DLH with an attitude! >*That* was really quick to make? > >I know you already sent me the CD, but, um, would you take custom orders? =) LOL, thank you, I'll take that as an extreme compliment. But those things are so heavy I don't think we could afford to ship them!! Sherry >>*That* was really quick to make? >> >>I know you already sent me the CD, but, um, would you take custom orders? =) > > LOL, thank you, I'll take that as an extreme compliment. But those things > are so heavy I don't think we could afford to ship them!! *snaps fingers* Drat! Speaking of heavy things, my brother decided to get me a crockpot for Christmas. Cool. I didn't realize he was going to buy it in NC, where my parents live. Well, that was sort of okay (but still cumbersome) when the plan was for us to fly out for Christmas. Now we're not, and mom says she's going to keep the thing at the house till we do visit, because it's too heavy to ship! *sigh* Guess we're not going to have yummy crockpotted stews this winter. Which, you know, was the whole point. Signaturemonique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey DLH with an attitude! > LOL, thank you, I'll take that as an extreme compliment. But those things are > so heavy I don't think we could afford to ship them!! > > Sherry Do you sell instructions? I'd love to try to make one! I've done a lot of searches on-line for directions for making cat trees and cat houses, but haven't been happy with what I've seen. rona Signature***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!*** "[America] is filled with people who decided not to live in Europe. We had people who really wanted to live in Europe, but didn't have the energy to go back. We call them Canadians." ---Grover Norquist in Newsweek, November 22, 2004 > >*That* was really quick to make? > > > >I know you already sent me the CD, but, um, would you take custom orders? =) > > LOL, thank you, I'll take that as an extreme compliment. But those things are > so heavy I don't think we could afford to ship them!! Sherry, Shipping and handling are almost always added to the bill and paid by the customer in advance. Because of the size and weight, you'd have to ship the trees by freight carrier rather than UPS. All you would have to do is box the trees and call the trucking company for a pick up. Build the trees to fit standard size boxes (furniture). Boxes come folded so they won't take up much room in your grarge - all you need to do is tape the top and bottom shut and call the carrier with origin, destination and weight. You can weigh the box on a bathroom scale. I ship all over the country - Its no big deal. Your trees are great. Go for it. Phil > Sherry > OH yeah. Turns out contractors are a much better source. The > carpet stores don't deal in "scrap", only large pieces that they [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/erniecattree.jpg > It was really quick to make. That is very professional looking Sherry. I'm going to try making one. We could use another here now! SignatureCheryl Another place to get material is from interior designers. Often times when they are remodeling a home wanting to convert to from carpet to hardwood or tile, they'll rip out the carpet and throw it away. Some of it is pretty clean carpet. Also, construction Sites are also a good source for wood since they just throw away the extras. The city dump (if you can stand the smell) may also have some scraps as well for building cat towers and scratching posts. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com >> OH yeah. Turns out contractors are a much better source. The >> carpet stores don't deal in "scrap", only large pieces that they [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > That is very professional looking Sherry. I'm going to try making > one. We could use another here now! > >t's so hard to get them to lose. I always felt > >really bad about him being so fat, even though he lived relatively healthy [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > > A real cutie, and I have to say, I'd say so, too... and the cat is a real cutie, too! ;-> I've seen fatter cats than that. One of my > previous cats, who also lived to age 17, was fat for a few years, when she was > middle aged, but when she got older she got slim again, and it became hard to > keep her weight up. Obesity plateaus and then declines after about 7 -- then after about 11, underweight conditions increase dramatically. Might be due to a decline in sensory function >> appetite. Fat digestibility decreases with age in cats - but protein and carb digestibility stay about the same. A lot of older cats compensate for lower fat digestibility by eating more. If you think about it, more older cats are underweight than overweight - at least in my experience. Older cats should be fed an energy-dense food - but they're also at the highest risk of CRF. When I get a chance, I'll try to find the cite about obesity and death. the study showed obese cats over 8 are three times more likely to die than cats at optimal weight. This contest was very, very poor judgment. Phil. >> >t's so hard to get them to lose. I always felt >> >really bad about him being so fat, even though he lived relatively [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >underweight conditions increase dramatically. Might be due to a decline in >sensory function >> appetite. This was my first cat after I left home--got her as a six week old kitten when I was 19. I really didn't know a lot about feline health back then, and small town vets weren't that great with cats either. She started out eating the typical junk most people fed back then--Friskies or Meow Mix. She didn't get fat until she was around 4 or 5, but I'm sure it was due to free-feeding poor quality food. She had a bacterial infection later on and suffered a bout of fatty liver disease afterwards--from which she recovered after a few days of force feeding, and after that she wasn't ever fat again. When she was older I learned more about cat food and for the last half of her life she was eating c/d or Iams (those were pretty good choices back then). >Fat digestibility decreases with age in cats - but protein and carb >digestibility stay about the same. A lot of older cats compensate for lower >fat digestibility by eating more. If you think about it, more older cats >are underweight than overweight - at least in my experience. Older cats >should be fed an energy-dense food - but they're also at the highest risk of >CRF. Are senior diets considered to be energy dense? Our oldest cat is almost 8, but she has always tended to be slim and I think senior diets are generally low-calorie. >When I get a chance, I'll try to find the cite about obesity and death. the >study showed obese cats over 8 are three times more likely to die than cats >at optimal weight. Well, thank goodness we slimmed down our two fatsos before they reached the age of 8. Like I said in another post, seeing how much more active and playful our pudgiest one is after having lost two pounds made us feel really bad that we let her spend a year being so fat. >This contest was very, very poor judgment. > >Phil. > >So what have you been able to do to limit your cat's > >food intake? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > http://members.aol.com/sriddles/cherokeesherry.jpg > http://members.aol.com/sriddles/cherokee.jpg Whoa - he was one big - & handsome! - cat! Yes, chunky, but he also looks like he was just plain *large* - tall/long, big frame, & so on, esp. in the first link's pic. Unless you're a really tiny little thing, making him look extra large. ;-) Cathy > Sherry >>The problem was that he was a >>rescue who had apparently been starving, and if he didn't get enough food to [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Sherry That is TuTu's story too. She leads me to the food bowl every time I get up. She doesn't always eat just then, but she wants food in that bowl. At 15 1/2 pounds now. I think she has lost a little. MLB > >>The problem was that he was a > >>rescue who had apparently been starving, and if he didn't get enough food to [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > up. She doesn't always eat just then, but she wants food in that bowl. > At 15 1/2 pounds now. I think she has lost a little. MLB I gotta ask, why did you name your cat TuTu? I'm not making fun of it - its just that a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, someone very dear to me was named Thu Thu (pronounced "Tu Tu"). Phil |
Enable EMail Alerts
Start New Thread
Reply to this Message