Praying this will be just a treatable infection if anything that needs attention at all.  Wish there were a way to keep Avery outside.

How is the lump today and how is your bite doing? Keeping both of you in my prayers.

My hand is healed and Tucker's lump hasn't gotten any bigger.  Unfortunately for Tuck, my own health got in the way of his.  But his lump doesn't seem to be any bigger. And I am pretty sure the matts are coming from poor grooming on his and my part.  Tucker is overweight, like I mentioned before, so I don't think he can reach around that far to wash his back.

I am going to keep posting to this topic every now and then to keep you all updated with his weight.  This will be like our weight loss journey.  I think of any issues he and I are facing that is the biggest.  If any of you have experience helping an overweight cat lose weight I would appreciate any advice that you can give. Like have any of you used treat balls to feed your kitties?

Right now I am feeding them 3 times a day and I pick up the dishes as soon as they all walk away from the dishes.  I have been reading though that I should be feeding them all separately.  Also that I should be feeding them wet food.  Right now they are all eating Iams Multicat.  yes, I know, flame me if you wish.  It is the only thing they like.  That needs to change.  I know, I know, I know :::ducks all the bricks being chucked at head:::

Anyways, this is the Starting Point!  We are off!

Bridgett, I have had many "Big Boned" kitties in my time.....

A suggestion, if I may.  I believe the Iams multi is dry food?  Use a measuring cup when you put out their portions.  When I used dry, I always thought I was putting down a good amount, until I got and used a measuring cup.  Boy was I putting way too much food in their bowls.   I started with a 1/3 cup measurer in the bag and then brought it down to a 1/4 cup.

You can also feed smaller but more frequent meals, if you have the time.  I also noticed that my cats lost weight when I stopped the grazing feeding for them.

JJ's idea of similar ingredients in a different food sounds like a great idea too.

Shoulders back, chin up and don't let them "guilt" you into thinking you're starving them.  You don't want them to drop too fast though.  My vet says no more than 1/2 to 1 pound per month.  Slower is MUCH better.

Sending you best wishes and healthy weight loss for Tuck.

Bridgett -
   Sorry you have been ill, but glad your hand is healing.  There is some good information and tips on Cat Obesity and weight loss on www.catinfo.org. 

Thanks all for your suggestions!  We like to say Tucker has overdeveloped stomach muscles.  The vet said he needs to weigh about 12 lbs.  He is a big kitty.  Right now he weighs around 18-20lbs.  Not kidding.

I promised him this morning that I would help him lose weight.  He is such a sweet boy.  So affectionate! 

I think the direction I am going to head is grain free.  Try to cut as many carbs as I can.  One suggestion from Mandycat's link was Nature's Variety.  I have always heard good things about Nature's Variety.  So I have two food to try.  Gradually.  Tucker also has a sensitive tum.

The grainless NV and Core dry foods do seem to be more calorie dense, so you will probably need to cut down a little on how much you feed.  Mine gained on grainless dry when I first started feeding it and put down the usual amount.

I'm sure you read on the weight loss article, and have heard it here 1000x to make the weight loss go very slowly so they don't get fatty liver disease.  One of my manx boys is way overweight too, so I know what you're going through!