pregnant stray turned out to be a fattypants!

Ann Read

When we found Asia in mid-September, the vet told us that because she was a very underweight stray who appeared to be pregnant, we should give her all the food she wanted so she would gain the weight she needed to. Since then, we've discovered that it was a false pregnancy, and then weight she was gaining wasn't growing kittens, just much-needed fat. So the problem now is, since she's at a healthy weight and eating quality kibble, I doubt we need to give her all the food she can eat, but if I give her only the "suggested serving" on the bag, she acts like she's starving and runs around the house yowling until someone gives in and fills her dish. What should we do?

Diana Gabaldon

Maybe you can try slowly decreasing the amounts you give her. Only fill the bowl 1/2 way instead of all the way to the top. I hope that helps.

Kelly Hendry

It took us a week or two to get Sam on his diet. The habit we've gotten into is to give him his serving of food the same time every day. This way he is always excited and knows how long he has to make it last. If he cries and begs for food we'll give him a teaspoon or so, literally just a tiny bit. We slowly weaned him off these little snacks and he has gotten really good at rationing his food himself. He was a stray also and they often have food anxiety, but he's basically gotten over it. I would say to ease her into the diet gradually but firmly, and before you know it she'll be used to it.