Chances are that when you hear the name Duncan, donuts or cake come into mind. And this guy looks as if he eats both on a daily basis. His name, fittingly (and it’s about the only thing that fits him right now, but things are going to change), is Duncan.
Duncan was turned in to a local shelter during kitten season, which is the busiest time of year. He weighed 32 pounds and had an irregular heartbeat. He was conspicuous in comparison with the dozens of tiny felines that were turned in during these days, so much so that nonprofit rescue Helen Sanders CatPAWS decided to pull him out to give him a chance at life—a good, healthy one that included plenty of exercise and a special diet. He’s now a celebrity, with his own Facebook page chronicling his attempt at being Long Beach’s biggest feline loser.
It’s difficult not to crack wise at fat cats, but obesity isn’t a laughing matter for anyone. In his LB Post article on pet obesity, Long Beach Animal Hospital veterinarian Carl Palazzolo, DVM, stated that an overweight cat or dog is subject to conditions such as diabetes and liver disease and that continuing to neglect a pet’s diet and exercise regimens can lead to early demise. Cats are more prone to obesity than dogs are, since they don’t go out for walks and there are no designated cat parks (that wouldn’t work). They’re also generally inclined to lying around the house for extended periods of time.
When I caught up with Duncan—and even though he’s lost a couple of pounds, it wasn’t difficult to do—he was doing that weird thing cats do with their back legs to a tennis ball—his favorite toy, he said. His new foster mom arranged an interview with him—no cat goodies were offered as incentive; instead, she took the ball away. He yawned largely, and we had the following conversation:
Duncan poses with his brush and tennis ball, which looks like a golf ball next to the poor guy!
Long Beach Post: No offense, Duncan, but how did you get so awfully big?
Duncan: None taken, and you’re no sylph either. Actually, I was a lonely guy. I was taken in by these people who subsequently just referred to me as “the cat.” Not much interaction, always at work, always out. Their idea of caring for me was to leave a feeder out and let me chow down, and fill it when it got empty. So I ate. And they filled. Every day.
I’m really sorry, Duncan. So, you wound up at the shelter?
Yes, I don’t know whether it was because I was eating those people out of house and home or it was just too much trouble for them to fill up the feeder all the time. Anyway, I was turned in at the busiest time of year—kitten season—all those mewling little brats that are just too cute and people want them, not me. I was stressed out until those kindly people from the rescue lifted me out. No easy task, mind.
So, life’s better?
Well—I don’t get to pig out, but it’s turning out to be no big deal. My foster mom has me on a restricted feeding of diet cat food—three-quarters of a cup a day, but it’s high in fiber and makes me feel full. Regular, too, but we won’t go there. And I’m committed to get this weight off, especially since I’m feeling better every day and my black coat is so glossy!
Do you get exercise?
Ohhh, yes. The whole foster family is in on it. The kids entice me with a feather on a stick, my foster mom makes me follow her to get food and water, and my foster dad takes me to the far corner of the house and then races me back to the safety of the bedroom. They’re my biggest motivators and supporters! Beats a gym membership. Cheaper, too.
KK: That’s got to take care of the loneliness.
Good grief, I never get a moment to myself! Besides the humans, I have a foster cat sister and brother. My brudder Obi and I do laps around the house and chat continually. That helps take the pounds off, too. As far as my sister Jeweli’s concerned, I don’t exist. Maybe it’s because I’m getting steadily smaller.
KK: Good for you! That’s a heck of a lot of weight to drop in a month!
To be frank instead of Duncan for a minute, it wasn’t all because of the diet. Some of it was stress—I didn’t eat for a while after I was brought in to the shelter. I didn’t know what was going on. And that could have been fatal. Overweight cats are at risk of developing what’s called hepatic lipidosis if they don’t eat for a while—you can click on this handy-dandy link to read about it, but essentially, when a cat stops eating, the liver takes fat from the reserves—of which I had plenty—and doesn’t process it right. But my foster family is monitoring me now to lose about a half-pound per week, and I’m having so much fun here that I don’t even notice the lack of a horse-size feed bag. I’m already down to a svelte 27 pounds. Wish that Rudd guy could’ve started Long Beach Losers last month instead of September. I’d have won, paws down.
Duncan at a slimmed down 27 pounds, and more to go
What’s a day in your life like?
I used to cower in the closet before I got used to it all. There were a lot of cat toys in there, though, and they kept me amused. Now, I, too, have come out of the closet. These days, I get up around 5:30 a.m. to help my foster mom get ready for work. I have breakfast, use one of my two boxes (did I mention that I was regular) and then lie beside my water dish. I like to pull the ceramic bowl close to me and sometimes drink with one paw in the water.
I walk around with Obi for a while and greet the rest of the family, purring my head off. And it’s not put on, either—I like these people! After everyone leaves, I find a quiet place for a nice nap. In the evening, I hang with my foster family and get a little brushing and exercise. My back’s nearly dandruff free from all the furdressing. My foster mom also wipes me with a warm washcloth or unscented baby wipes since I’m so big I can’t properly clean myself. Embarrassing and a little moist—ugh, that word—but I like the extra attention. There are several cool cat perches around here, so my goal is to lose enough weight to feel comfortable jumping onto the perches to hang out. I know I’ll get there!
Mom likes to measure my girth. That ruler isn’t a yardstick, by the way, so no cracks.
What advice would you give to other cats to not get into the boat that you’re in and sink it?
You have cats, right? So I’m giving you the advice. You’re the human, and you’re supposed to be responsible for them. So—don’t leave too much food out, and especially not that auto-feeder! I ate all day when the food was left down. Also, make sure your cats have company. If you’re a one-cat household, then that company’s you. I’m much happier than I was now that I have friends to spend time with. Even that elitist prig Jeweli.
Duncan, thanks so much! I hope that you’ve helped other cats with maintaining a healthy heft.
Wait just a bristlin’ minute! Where are you going? Don’t forget to tell the readers that I’m up for adoption when I get this weight thing handled! Now that they’ve met and seen me, they’ll want to click on another handy link to find out how to take me home. And I hope that I can get it as good as I got here! Thanks, Helen Sanders CatPAWS, for giving me this chance and believing in me!
Follow Duncan as he gets healthy. Your donations to CatPAWS will help save other cats, getting them out of danger and into loving homes.
If cats could talk, they wouldn’t.
~Nan Porter