November was vet time for both Mollie and Hazel.
I had reworked the food stations in the late summer. Long time readers know that Hazel is all about the food and will eat continuously if food is freely available.
The only solution was to put the food for Mollie and Morgan up where Hazel can’t jump and monitor Hazel’s portions.
Hazel lost 4 pounds over 18 months. All was good. She wasn’t a thin cat but she was able to keep herself clean and get around better.
That worked for a few years but as Mollie aged, the jump got harder (I’m such a softy). I tried a few options ending up with a step-stool to shorten the jump. Not only was that better for Mollie but for Hazel too.
Hazel gained a pound before I realized what was happening. More adjustments. Then the vet visit.
The vet wasn’t too concerned about her weight gain. She’s a plump cat but she was never skinny. (Technically she was skinny when she was found as a starving kitten which contributes to her obsession with food.) She’s healthy at age 11-ish and that’s what counts.
Hazel was grateful that the food wasn’t more severely cut back although she much prefers easier access. She survived her annual invasion of privacy!
Life is good!
Feeding logistics…I have to feed my cats separately, too. It’s a pain, but we do what we have to do!
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Even when there weren’t dietary issues, I fed them at different spots. Some are food hogs and will eat all the food. Some are grazers and there is nothing left when they come back. Yep, we do what we have to do.
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Yea Hazel!! No “D” word at the vet (or at my doctor’s) is a good visit.
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That’s what she says! She was particularly please when the vet said “I’m not concerned about her weight. She’s very healthy!” She is still down several pounds from her all time high.
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Strut your stuff Hazel…strut your stuff!
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🙂
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I used to really hate taking my cat to the vet (is it possible that I hated it more than she did?). Her howls, which stared as soon as I was able to get her in the carrier, didn’t stop until I let her out when we got back home. Then, she acted like nothing had happened. I, on the other hand, had to sit down for a rest. I’m glad everything checked out for her.
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That was Jake. He howled at a decibel count that was off the records. All the way there and all the way back. Occasionally in the office too. When I got back I was all shaky and had to have a Starbucks. (poor me)
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I laughed out loud at the caption under the vet visit pic…then I realized that it likely was exactly what Hazel was thinking! Love your cats!
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Hazel is semi-feral and doesn’t particularly like to be touched unless it’s a neck rub. Around the belly? No way! 4 hands at the same time? I bet she though she was in hell.
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So so glad it went well! After yesterday’s vet visit Kana wasall yesterday. She even lay with her face in the corner of the wall. I don’t know how she managed to get so overly upset.
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Usually my cats are so glad to get home they sprint out of the carrier and either nap under the bed or have a snack!
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Yeah, mine sprint out, too haha. But even today Kana is acting really needy. My friend thinks she’s playing me and being spoiled, but I don’t think that is a good assessment of why a cat would act this way LOL.
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It’s easy to jump to that conclusion but a cat’s thinking process isn’t that complicated. She needed some hugs. I do too after a bad doc visit. Routine. They like routine and a vet visit isn’t routine.
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Yes, that’s it exactly. She still needs hugs. She’s sitting right by me, looking forlorn. Geesh. Who knew she was so insecure :(?
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It’s hard to limit food access for cats. They such agile predators that even an inept house cat can catch something like 4 birds a year. A stationary food dish stands no chance.
Also, they throw items off counters when the food dish is empty. Or at least mine do.
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Hazel doesn’t go outside. I used to have a chubby one that did. Diets were a joke. She supplemented with birds, mice and chipmunks all of which she liked better anyway. She was a great hunter even with her girth. Hazel can’t jump higher than 30″. She can’t do counters but will do tables. Her favorite trick is to sit in front of me with pathetic eyes and stare until I get out some food. Damn! It works too. She’s trained me well.
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aaww sweet Hazel – way to go my friend. XOXO – Bacon
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She’s very proud of herself all the while saying, “See I told you so!”
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If the vet is not concerned, Party time! Please invite Lucy.
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Lucy is invited! There will be food!
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it’s so great to read good news… hugs to you and the girls :o)
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Thanks! We were worried that the vet would want her back on a diet. That’s really harder on me than it is on her.
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Excellent news!
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The best!
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Well done!
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I had a new vet this visit. My usual one was out all week. The first thing she did was pick up Hazel and hug her. She said she loves chubby cats. That was love at first sight for sure!
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Sounds like an awesome vet!
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They both are. It’s a cats only place and they adore all the cats. They don’t lecture owners (so much better than I would be) and work with you on what needs to be done and the cost. Jake was a frequent flyer there and they (techs included) had a nickname for him. They greeted him when he came in the door and gave him lots of personalized service.
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Yay Hazel! Healthy and no food rationing… much.
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No tuna truffles for Christmas but at least there’s no food restrictions either.
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