We’re all about spoiling and pampering a cat, but when does it go too far? It’s not uncommon to see cats who have been quite literally ‘loved to death’ by their humans. Although they never intend to, spoiling their cat for a long time sometimes results in a potentially life-threatening situation. Then, it’s a long, slow road back to a healthy life.
Sally the Tabby Could Have Been ‘Loved to Death’
Long-time cat mom and creative whiz Kayla knows all about how to keep a household of quirky cats healthy. But what she didn’t know until recently was that her grandfather was spoiling his cat, Sally, to a dangerous extreme. After he moved close to her, she became aware and intervened to help them, along with Sally’s vet.
“I’m going to show you my Grandfather’s cat, and before you say anything, it’s only okay to laugh because she’s now on a diet,” said a concerned Kayla. “This is Sally and she is the prime example of an elderly person loving a cat almost to death.”
Kitten Food Is for Kittens
While Sally appears healthy and comically playful, things could have quickly become serious. Grandad, who is soon-to-be 90, was feeding Sally only the kitten food she loves. She probably turned up her nose at other food, so how could he say no? But now, she’s a bit of a love boat! In time, she will safely get back down to an average cuddle monster size.
As we know, kitten food is way too high in calories, protein, fats, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for adult cats. That said, there are a few situations when you might feed an older cat a treat of kitten food temporarily. (Consult your vet.)
Note: Cats can generally only safely lose about a pound per month to avoid life-threatening issues. Before attempting a change in diet, please consult with a veterinarian. After checking for any underlying health issues, they can help you design the best diet and exercise regimen. Wonderfully, that’s what happened for Sally.
When Cats Are Almost Loved to Death
Of course, we see people of all ages loving their cats almost to death in this way. What they usually share in common is they don’t realize a problem until things get way out of control. Eventually, some folks become desperate and take the cat to a shelter.
While cats like Sally may not have serious health issues, she finds getting around uncomfortable.
Then, the cats require a family willing to be their personal trainer! Even without any serious health issues, recovery can take years of diligent work for the cat and their family. Yet, we’re always so inspired by kind-hearted people who volunteer to save these cats’ lives. People like Kayla!
Lovable Sally Is Cruising To A Better Life Now
Sally is undeniably adorable, a chonky girl that many find irresistible. However, it’s important to remember that obesity is a common nutritional deficiency in house cats, even in those that we find so cuddly and lovable. Generally, vets consider it potentially harmful for a cat if its body weight is 20 percent or more above what’s considered their ‘normal’ weight.
“Now that he has moved closer to me, I can make sure that Sally is on a proper diet and exercise routine to help get her in a more comfortable state, because ‘Oh lawd, she comin!’” Kayla said.
Thanks to Kayla and Sally’s vet, she’s on the road to a long, happy life with her loving Dad. You can see more at Gizmo’s Best Friends on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
