Ear mites are the worst. We had an awful time getting rid of the things. Good
luck!

Sherry

Oh yes. They have plenty to choose from. Down in my bedroom, I have
their two favorites in kibble available, yyet every morning, they race
up to the bathroom, to eat the same food that is downstairs!

The share one can of canned food at night as a treat (3 cats and 1
dog). Everybody goes to bed happy, no arguments, and no whining in the
morning :)

Normally, I agree. But in advanced age, I prefer to see them thick,
maybe a tad on the plump side. My first acat lived to be 19, but it
was a struggle to keep weight on her from age 15 on. She would refuse
to eat, and I had to keep experimenting to find something she would
eat. Finally settled on one brand and flavor of canned food, 4 times a
day. She would not eat chilled or heated canned food, so I had to let
the other cats finish all those cans. Thus starting teh evening can
routine. (I couldn't just stop the treats when Fiona died)

About 4 years ago, my mom found a stray who had been hit by a car. He
was recovering well from his injuries, but he was extremely
underweight. Great appetite, but he got sick and starting barfing
everything up and having diarhea. Two weeks of improvement, and only 3
days of being sick (with two vet visits during those 3 days), and he
was dead.

I've only had 2 cats die on me, and both were noticeably underweight.
So, I am leary of allowing that to happen. Maynard is 17 1/2 years
old. He has always been a lean cat. Never overweight, always a bit
knobby (knobby spine, knobby feet, and knobby tail). His only fat is a
bubble about the size of a grape. It's behind his shoulder, and has
been there about 6  or 7 years now. The vet tested it and said it was
just unusually placed fat deposit.

In his prime, he was 9 1/2 pounds, occasionally reaching 10 lbs. He
hasn't been above 8 1/2 in at least 3 years. He's been down to 8
several times and once down to 7 1/2 after an abcess under his tail.
It hurt to jump, so he wasn't jumping on the counter to eat. He gained
it back once I found it and was able to rearrange his food til he was
jumping again.

I don't want him to be fat, but I do want him to be thicker like he
used to be. I'd like to know he has something to keep him going if he
gets sick for a couple days. A reserve, so to speak.

On a daily basis, he has full access to kibble (I know he eats some
for breakfast while I am in the bathroom). He also gets some kitty
treats, his favorite kind, and his canned food at night. I also give
him some extra food. Sometimes roasted chicken. Sometimes his favorite
veggies.

If he feels and looks good, then I just do my normal routine with him.
If I see him barf (he does on occasion) or he feels lighter or looks
skinnier in the waist; then I increase his treats. More chicken
(darker fattier pieces), maybe some margarine. And more kitty treats.

I am content as long as he feels and looks good, but I do get worried
when he gets down to 8 lbs. He seems to have a bottemless appetite. He
just burns it off too easily. He's always been that way, so I am not
surprised. I just keep working at making sure he doesn't lose too
much.

Meghan & the Zoo Crew  
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com