At A Loss As To What To Say/Do

[OwnedByIsis]

This is going to be a bit of a rant, but I really REALLY need your advice as to how to handle this.

My Grandparents have two cats, a Maine Coon, 10 years old, and a Calico that is about 20 years old.

They recently acquired both (within the last two years) from friends who could no longer take care of them because they were moving into assisted living homes.

Recently (within the past 2-3 months), I have been visiting and my Grandmother will be sitting there and feeding the Calico candy, ice cream, or any junk food she is eating. My Grandmother is fully capable and functioning, she has all of her faculties about her.

When I saw what she was doing I gasped in horror and said "You can't feed them those foods, they will get sick and could die!" It was probably a bit dramatic, but I was horrified!

She looked right at me and held her hand open to the cat and was feeding it some salted peanuts! I felt like she was being a defiant child. She then told me she is an adult, she can feed what she wants to, when she wants to.

My Grandfather doesn't say much. He feeds the cats Royal Canin, he tries to stop her, but at times she yells at him.

It makes me crazy that she is doing this, and my Grandfather said she has been feeding them that way for about a year. I just want to cry. He figures they are fine because he feeds them semi-healthy diet of Royal Canin, and he said that they are fine because they are still alive and kicking.

Can anyone suggest something I can say or do to help these poor cats? I feel like no matter what I say or do, I'll be the bad guy and they will just tune me out.

Anyone? Thanks in advance.

[applesparks]

How much of these things is she feeding the cats? Like a few tastes of stuff, or actually giving them significant amounts to eat?

[OwnedByIsis]

I asked my Grandfather and he said that's all that she feeds them. She doesn't give them any kind of healthy food whatsoever.

[applesparks]

You mean that the cats don't eat any kind of cat food period?!?!

[laurief]

If I were you, I'd ask your grandfather to feed the cats as much Royal Canin as they want to eat 3-4 times a day. If the cats are well fed and don't feel at all hungry, they won't be likely to do more than snack on the garbage your Grandmother offers them. If your grandfather is feeding them kibble that the cats graze on throughout the day, have him add 3-4 meals a day of canned food to make sure they're eating enough so that the garbage snacks lose their appeal.

Laurie

[OwnedByIsis]

Applesparks-My Grandfather tries to feed them several times a day, he feeds them Royal Canin. He has tried and I have tried to feed them canned food (all kinds from trying to start them on kitty crack Fancy Feast, all the way to Evo flavors) and they turn their nose up at all of it. I can only be over there so much, and I know that if they won't eat it, my Grandmother will break out more junk food.

Laurief-Thanks for your advice, I am trying to get him to do just that, and I am trying to be there to help feed them. The problem I think is, is that they are so hooked on the junk food my Grandmother gives them, that they will hold out for her to put down a small dish of ice cream, or salted nuts, or candy, or whatever else.

I was over there yesterday and the cats ate the following:
Small dish of ice cream (one scoop)
12 salted peanuts
6 1 inch cubed pieces of cheddar cheese
4 slices of chopped up bologna

All the while I was trying to redirect them to the Royal Canin and my Grandfather was trying to do the same. They just won't eat it, while I was there anyway. He said that a regular sized bag of the Royal Canin will last over three months because they pretty much run over to my Grandmother and beg and she gives them junk. He said, on a good day, they will eat maybe a handful of the Royal Canin.

I put myself between the cats and herself and I begged her not to feed them that junk. I told her it is just going to make them ill.

It's just so frustrating! I was at the point yesterday I wanted to call animal control, I feel like it's animal cruelty.

[marie73]

Print this chart out and give it to her. I doubt it'll make a difference, but you never know.

Shop City Animal Hospital | Obesity is a Disease

[applesparks]

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, the cats are your grandparents and I doubt animal control will care that your grandmother is feeding them so much people food. The list you made is pretty astonishing though! Just one of the items on it would seem like a lot of people food for one day.

Maybe instead of trying to convince your grandmother not do it, try to talk to her about why she wants to do it in the first place. Does she feel like she's making them happier? Just too much work to wean them off of begging? Maybe if you can figure out why she likes feeding them so much people food, you can redirect your tactics.

[OwnedByIsis]

Marie-Thank you! Looking at that chart is just...wow, an eye opener.

Applesparks-You're right, I should try to find out why. I have a feeling it stems from the fact that she's told me a few times that she thinks the cats like my Grandfather more than her. I think she feels like she is getting attention from them by feeding them this way, and that they will like her more for doing so. Just a hunch. I will find out why she is doing this though and try to work on it with her.

[swimkris]

I agree with the others that those are unhealthy foods for the cats. If you find out that your grandma wants to give the cats "special" treats to get attention, turn her towards more healthy tasty options for the cats like the occasional tuna, tuna juice ice-cube (freeze a mixture of tuna juice and water), sardine, shrimp, cooked or raw meat, dehydrated meat treats, etc. If her cats like catnip, fresh catnip can really get their attention. Also, perhaps you can also find some toys she interact with the cats with?