How is the weighing going?
The ugly truth is that I have been very lax about weighing. Did it just now, and I am probably going to treat these weights as a starting point. The problem is, until a cat settles down inside the carrier, the display fluctuates by several ounces, and I think I have just now really gotten the hang of figuring out which one is accurate.
It does look like some of them have gained a wee bit, except for Jeoffry. I think he has lost an ounce or two. This pleases me, as he was the most overweight when we started out. I have weighed Jenny a few times since my first post about the new scale, because I was really afraid of her not eating and getting fatty liver. She seems to be doing well.
I may need to cut down on what I feed, but I think that some of the gains are due to the fact that the cold weather, which has gone on and on, is keeping the cats from spending much time on our screened porch, which is their usual playground. I am ordering some new toys for them, so I can give them more exercise indoors.
I do wonder one thing. Do formerly fat cats ever lose that saggy look around their bellies? It makes it more difficult to tell if they are getting more fit, and just have some remaining loose skin down there, or if they still need to lose more. The fact that the heavier cats all have long hair makes it even more difficult.
I need to do a better job at regular weigh-ins, but I have to say, I've got a lot of other things on my plate right now. J recovered from the flu alright, but her gait, balance, and fine motor skills have been deteriorating recently. She is terrified, as am I, but that anxiety only makes things worse. We were at the doctor's office Thursday for this, and she has three more visits to see if we can find out the cause. I may end up being a caregiver, as well as a cat parent, and other than making sure everyone is fed, this had been occupying most of my mental energy lately.
Weights as of this morning:
Jeoffry - 15 lb., 10 oz.
Jenny - 11 lb., 14.6 oz.
Truman - 16 lb., 7.7 oz.
Lucy - 7 lb., 15.1 oz.
Violet - 8 lb., 1.4 oz.
Mouse - 8 lb., 6.7 oz.
Based on eyeballing alone, I would say that Lucy and Violet are at a good weight. I think Mouse is getting a bit too pudgy. She does not have the lanky build that Violet does, but she is also a smaller cat, although not by much. Jeoffry is losing, slowly, and I am pleased. I don't know what to think about Truman. Other than that saggy belly from when he was fatter, he looks good. Not sure about Jenny, either. She also has the sag, but does not feel heavily padded on her back and ribs. She is the one most in need of improved muscle mass. She seems both thin and fat, if that makes any sense, but I do see signs of improvement with the new diet.