The day after we found Bucky in our parking lot, I took the kitten to the vet to have his health screened and to make sure he didn’t have any diseases. As the vet technicians were testing him for feline leukemia and de-worming him, I got in a discussion with the vet discussing our other two cats, Brutus and Blue. 

First off, it was amazing when I told her small details about Brutus and she was able to predict his personality and temperament exactly. I got Brutus at a pet store while my friend and her kids were there to get pet food. Instantly enthralled with the little furry terror, I decided to adopt him then and there, although I had previously concluded I didn’t want another cat for awhile. At that time I was still grieving the disappearance of my cat Opie who had vanished the month before, most likely a product of a raccoon attack. 

The vet guessed, from hearing that Brutus was only a month old when I adopted him, that he was very much a “Mama’s boy” and hated anyone else who got in the way of my attentions towards him. He’s fiercely competitive and jealous and downright moody but, when the mood fetches him, he can be quite the sweetheart as well. I then told her about Blue, the charming cat with a heart of gold who wants to be everyone’s friend so long as they have pets to give and food to give him. 

I mentioned that, last summer, Blue got unfortunately fat. Last August, Mack and I were traveling a lot. My brother, conveniently, was able to check up on Brutus and Blue but (to spare him having to go out there too much with a two-year old) we asked him to go out every two days. The cats had an automatic water container and if he filled the bowl with lots of food they’d be set. We did this with both our trips during that month.

And Blue wholeheartedly took advantage of the situation and became fat.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we feed him constantly, but I grew up in a household where the cats were allowed to have food out all the time and they kind of grazed through the day whenever hunger struck their tummies. Blue, unfortunately, has no self control and would eat all the time. It’s kind of like his weird obsession with the litterbox, but that is another story entirely. 

As we discussed the diet for the new kitten and that he’d need to put on weight, we talked about the boys and what the best way to feed them is. She suggested wet food, which I have mixed feelings on. I was in 4H cats (shuddup) and learned that wet food isn’t always the best since the dry food helps their teeth, etc etc. When I told the vet about Blue being a butterball, she was kind of aghast and worried, telling me that as they get older he might develop diabetes and ultimately DIE since he’s fat.

This is the way to get me: guilt.

Needless to say, that night, we started on the cat’s new diet regime. While the kitten gets to stuff it’s face to his hearts delight, the boys are limited to having their food out for a few hours at night.

Pissed would be an understatement for how they are feeling. 

At first they thought we were playing some sort of sick, twisted joke. Very funny guys, they seemed to say with their looks, but the joke is old. 

Then, a few days later, we were still withholding food. 

First, they tried climbing the shelves to get to the food bowls. Unfortunately for them, they did not succeed. At first. They only managed, last night, to whack it off the shelves and onto the ground. Next, they changed tactics and decided to beat the crap out of their food container. By no means is this food container really small. I awoke one morning and found the boys had knocked it over in their hungry desire and dragged it across the room, desperately trying to get the sustenance within. 

Seriously guys, you’re not starving. Bucky can tell you a few stories of what it’s like living on the streets, ungrateful brats. 

Last night was unfortunately a low point in the diet. Mack walked out of our room on his way to feed the sugar gliders and what does he see? Blue staring in a dazed fashion at the wall before he started licking it. 

Yes. We have broken our cats in a desire to make them healthy. 

It’s kind of sad, too, when we feed Bucky his wet food. Brutus and Blue hover around in the kitchen, practically dancing in their desire to get the food. Blue goes as far to follow us to the bathroom, running in circles, ANYTHING to get into that bathroom with the food. The first night we gave Bucky the wet food I seriously had to lock the boys up in the bedroom with me where Blue proceeded to FREAK OUT and jump on my back, pawing his way forward to get to the food. 

I watched Blue today as I worked (since I have been banished from the office until I am over my cold) to make sure he hadn’t officially snapped. At one point I feared for Bucky’s life as Blue licked him. Was he sampling the kitten for a later feast? 

Thus far the kitten survives and for that we are glad.

Overall we think they might be loosing a little weight but we don’t really know since Blue tends to suck his stomach in during the day in hopes we’ll feed him sooner. Don’t think that is possible? Yeah, you obviously have not met our cats.

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