Like most cats, I like a quiet life, sleeping in sunny spots for many hours of the day. My next door neighbour, a very sleek “bachelor” called Mr Cool made a very hurtful comment that I have been getting a little bit broad in the beam recently. We often share secrets about the other cats and dogs in the street. I value his catship very much. My family is lovely, but I feel they associate food with love a bit too much. For breakfast I get a can of cat food, biscuits are left in my bowl for all-day grazing, the kids feed me scraps at dinner, and then they give me another bowl of chopped meat after that. I find it very hard to refuse them. How can I lose weight and be diplomatic in telling my family to lay off the food? (Angel, 5 years, British Blue, Dalmeny)

Dr Alan

Angel, your problem is universal. Many health issues of pets reflect the owner’s over feeding. Obesity is at the top of the list, predisposing cats like you to diabetes, kidney disease and heart problems. As you know, when you are overweight you become lethargic and burn fewer kilojoules (calories). Your owner feels something is not quite right so they feed you more, making the problem worse. You have become so accustomed to eating a certain diet you will complain if it is drastically changed. Let’s face it Angel, if your owner cuts back on your food you will raise hell. My recommendation is for your owner to gradually reduce the portion size of your meals and slowly introduce you to “weight management” dry biscuits, with two small servings per day. Ensuring you eat all of your biscuits at one sitting is a clue that you are on the road to improved self esteem. As your maiden form figure returns you will feel like getting more exercise and then look out world!