Friday SCATblogging — a forewarned grizzly attack.

Scat when you see fresh grizzly scat — if you notice it.

Is it actually possible to damage a cat's self esteem?

I think not.

One of the few times I can remember seeing any picture of your cats actually standing.

Nice a$$ Inky! (add catwhistle)

Your cats knew how to stand up? Mine only gets up to go from one lounging spot to another.

These cats are fat!

One of the few times that Domino has looked more alert than Inkblot.

What sweet little feet Domino has!

Domino looks a bit pudgy - what are you feeding those kitties?

In other news, there's panic in Milan streets at the news that black isn't slimming after all.

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for sharing your photos with us each week in spite of the snark you (or actually your cats) take for it! They are beautiful! Also, if you spin the photograph of Inkblot around, it would almost be a mirror image of the photograph of Domino!

Does it bother you that people rag on the cats so much?

Domino,"Kev hid the food around here somewhere."

Inkblot, "Well kiss my booty, it aint over here."

Nutro Max Weight Control ! Roasted Chicken Flavor

flipping around cable recently and came across a u.k. program following the adventures of pet owners who impose diets on their overweight pets.

the one that had me in tears of laughter was a middle-aged couple, easily in their 60s, whose cat was quite tubby (26 lbs). they claimed to not overfeed it and blamed the cat's refusal to engage in any physical activities as the cause.

one video showed the husband down on the damned floor on his knees tossing little catnip toys at the cat. the camera shot of the cat showed it sitting there, surrounded by a clutch of toys and the occasional ball being tossed its way. the cat didn't flinch; but it did have a look of such contempt and 'what the fuck are you bothering me for' that was hilarious to watch.

Cats arent bothered by peoples teasing them cause they own the feeders 8-D

the one that had me in tears of laughter was a middle-aged couple, easily in their 60s, whose cat was quite tubby (26 lbs). they claimed to not overfeed it and blamed the cat's refusal to engage in any physical activities as the cause.

It should be noted that a thorough medical examination of the cat, and investigation of the humans' feeding habits, substantiated the claim. The cat had a metabolism problem.

one video showed the husband down on the damned floor on his knees tossing little catnip toys at the cat. the camera shot of the cat showed it sitting there, surrounded by a clutch of toys and the occasional ball being tossed its way. the cat didn't flinch; but it did have a look of such contempt and 'what the fuck are you bothering me for' that was hilarious to watch.

And yet, indifferent to the fact that smart-alecks who don't care diddly about their cat were going to have the opportunity to laugh at them, they persisted, increased their cat's activitiy level, and got him down to a healthier weight.

As did two of the other three families featured. The fourth family steadfastly refused to admit that their Rottie was fat, and refused to make any changes. Poor dog! :(

Kevin, please don't behave like Matthews, et al. Don't flatter these fat cats. Don't soften the punch because they are who they are. Remember: Truth to power.

Nutro Max Weight Control ! Roasted Chicken Flavor
Posted by: keith g on June 27, 2008 at 3:59 PM

Yes, I have tried that! Absolutely delicious, but I didn't loose any weight.

Very nice. The new camera takes great pics.

I don't want to gang up on Kevin's kittehs (I think they look just fine), but will add my 2 cents regarding diet.

We have 5 cats that eat the exact same diet. One of them weighs 22+ pounds. The others are just fine. This is with unrestricted access to the food, 24 hours a day.

The obese one is highly neurotic (Siamese). She's fairly healthy, considering, but there's not much we can do to keep her slim. I'm convinced food type wouldn't help that little porker.

Sorry, but I have join the pile-on.

Kevin, I really think you ought to look into *something* to slim down your beloved feline friends. Some more active playtime? Have fun with laser pointer chases? Feed them slightly less? See a vet (to determine if they have a hormonal/metabolism problem that could be treated)?

Anyhow, great blog, and all the best to your lovely, if overweight, cats :)

Go away J.

only if Domino & Inkblot's weight goes away ;)

They're not fat - they're just fluffy! :-)

At first glance, the Inkblot photo has a "cat standing behind a headless penguin" quality to it.

I wonder if any other cats have been photographed as much as these two?

Every friday for how long now? That is more than Britney Spears just outta rehab and Bush with his mouth open combined! Meee-ow. LOL.

I am off for Chinese food and too much saki with a bunch of rowdy friends who are sure to get us kicked out of Wan Ton Kitta's before the bar closes.

Have a great one!

Just for the record: Inkblot and Domino are already on a restricted diet. They eat measured portions of dietary cat food recommended by our vet, and I've been decreasing their portions slowly over time. Inkblot initially lost several pounds on this diet, but hasn't lost much more, and Domino has only lost a pound or so. Give it some time and they'll both lose a bit more.

At first glance, the Inkblot photo has a "cat standing behind a headless penguin" quality to it.

Beer out my nose. That hurt.

What's the plant hanging over Inkblot, Kevin? Is that a jacaranda?

Screw the cats. Gimme turds.

Posted by: Kevin Drum on June 27, 2008 at 7:37 PM

I got one of them laser beam pen pointers and the cat [and dog] love to chase it around and get a pretty good workout doing it.

Hell, this is 21st-century America.

I'm sure some vet somewhere does feline liposuction.

Or, if that's too much money, Kev, Photoshop them.

I don't think either cat is overweight enough to be problematic. Our vet thinks cats shoud tend a bit toward rotund.

One could only wish that all cats were so loved:
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_062708ANB_cat_abuse_steamboat_island_KS.4500804f.html

Thanks for the info Kevin! I will lay off them in future threads :). Good luck to you and to them.

They aren't overweight- just prosperous!!

Beautiful animals, Kevin- keep up the good work.