The Biggest Kitty Loser Contest is OVER!

The Contest Has Ended
And The Waiting Is Over To Pick A Winner!

Tracie is so proud of all the kitty cats who stepped froward to make the pledge to get off kitty crack, onto wet food only - soon to celebrate being slimmer and altogether happier and healthier.

But how could she pick only one winner when all of you are winners?! The human parents of these Gorgeous Enormous Ones all care so much for doing the very best by their pussycats.

And so, each and every one of the Lucky 13 contestants are going to receive a great CAT CHAT® baseball cap with the embroidered logo on it

One slight glitch - I don't have anybody's mailing address, so once I gather all of those (feel free to write me ASAP if you are one of the lucky ones! - those congratulatory caps will fly out my door and arrive at yours. Thanks so much for making this such a fun and successful contest - the biggest winners are the cats, of course.

Contacting Tracie

If you want to join the Biggest Kitty Loser Contest - or if you want to send along your comments or questions and see whether they turn up in Tracie's blog - please write to her at: dogandcatbibles@gmail.com

Update: Oscar, A Thin Cat Inside

These words from Cindy, an enthusiastic contestant who had her gigantic cat running back and forth to the barn on his new diet, says it:

Oscar and I enjoyed so much being involved in the contest. As you said everyone is a winner! Oscar is continuing to do well on wet food and with his exercise program. We will be continuing with it and will keep you updated. I recently found a picture of Oscar at a younger age: he really is a thin cat inside.

 

If You Missed the Contest, Here's How it Went Down...

Idella's Boys Irish & Yo-Yo Join the Race

You might have heard Idella call in from the road - she's another great female truck driver who loves her kitties and is making The Switch even with the challenges of being on the road - here's their story:

Irish was a gift from a another driver. We started off with the named of Sadie as usual I had to change the name. Irish comes from the John Wayne movie the quit man, little did I know that he was going to become such a big cat. Heard Tracie on the radio when the program started. Listened and tried the wet food on both Irish and YoYo. Love the change in my boys. Irish started at 24.5 is down to 20.5 as of 4/8/2008. As you can see his favorite spot in the truck is the top of the closet, but dosn't fit as well as he did when he was little. Irish has a hat saddle and tail off dark gray. [Continued after the photo.]

YoYO is a small stray who came to the house on afternoon half starved and dirty. Let him in to eat and visit with Irish. At first I though he had a damaged eye then realized one was brown and the other blue. As Irish and I got in the pickup to go on a dedicated run at midnight he came strolling up and got in the pickup with us. Has been a 18 wheeling cat ever since. Took him to the vet to get fixed without knowing gender. So the name Yobasti, no its not russian I said to the vet ( ITS A BOY) spelled backwards. YoYO is a bigger build and bone than Irish he started at 17.5 is down to 15.5 as of 4/8/2008. As you can see his favorite place is the jump seat and in that position for hours.

—Idella

 

Mr Blue Eyes Enters the B.K.L. Contest

I'm entering in Mr. Blue Eyes.  He weighs a little over 16 pounds and loves to eat.  I did get him switched to moist food just  last year.  My concerns are that he is FIV positive, has developed a heart condition which he takes medication for, and has bad teeth.  I know in my heart that he was sent to us years to help him live a long, happy and healthy life.  You see Tracie he was an injured feral cat that we could not leave that way in the bitter cold.  
 He does get some daily exercise, sometimes not by his liking.  The younger cats give him a run for his money.  That probably helps. I would really like him to be a "Kitty Loser"
 
Thank you,
Susan

Amaru Joins the Challenge - Despite a Head Start!

Melissa wrote in (with a photo of handsome Amaru that was too big to post!) to ask whether she would be allowed to participate since she switched to wet food a year ago after listening to CAT CHAT® - of course I said yes - how could I not?! - but here's her story:

My husband and I have 2 cats who are decent weights. We live with my inlaws (for only for a few more days) and they have a cat named Amaru. When I first moved here, I kid you not, the cat weighed 26 lbs 5oz. My husband is a trucker driver and got Sirius Radio and started telling me about your show. I was really interested and then I started traveling with him. I decided to give the "Wet Food Challenge" a try. My cat (I had only one at that time) didn't have any serious issues other than grumpiness and attitude (which is what I love about her!) but Amaru was fat, unhappy, cranky, just laid around and ripped his hair out - with sores on his skin. This was back in May 2007.

He benefited a great deal from the "Wet Food Challenge." He recently went to the vet for his shots and he weighs 16lbs and 11oz! The vet was shocked and was a little worried he was sick because he lost the weight "so fast" but all of his blood work has come back great. He plays a great deal and is really cuddly and lovey dovey. He chases my newest addition, a shelter kitten named Godiva around the house and mother's her. He is still ripping out his hair but less than before and he has no more sores!

Oh, Boy... Kate is Here

Morning Tracie: This our girl Kate. Yes, a girl! We obtained Kate from a farm in Lancaster County, PA and she has blossomed to  enormous proportions, weighing in at 27.5 lbs. Her "girlie" measurement are; 25.5" chest and 27.5" belly. Kate has been on a weight control diet, but its quite obvious its not working.

A whole lot more excercise is order and she is coming along. After all, she's lost 1.5 lbs! I hope to have her down 4-5 lbs by the end of May, but we won't stop there!

 

Jasper Joins the Quest to Lose

I got this letter from some very nice folks:

"My son Michael rescued a handsome very large cat while in college and now they are both home with us. He (Jasper) has a great personality but we all think he needs to go on a diet since he is 17.4 lbs. I heard you on Martha's radio station and told my son about you. I think he needs to read your book and change Jasper's eating habits. We don't know how old he is but last visit to the Vet he was 17lbs. He has always been on dry food (Science Diet Lite) and from what I heard that is not good."

What smart "grandparents!" So now Jasper is switching to all wet food and aiming for the Big Prize!

O'Henry Enters the Race at 21.5lbs

Molly is joining her foster cat O'Henry, in the contest! He's been living in a shelter and she said he was in desperate need of a lifestyle change.  Weighing 21.5  pounds when she took him home, she switched him to a meaty, canned food diet from the “dry food candy” he was eating at the shelter.  After two weeks, he's starting to lose but she’s carefully monitoring him so he doesn't lose too fast.  Molly worried that some of the cats in the contest lost 1.5 pounds in a week and asked whether it was safe? The answer is: Absolutely! Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, the official vet of CAT CHAT®, explained that at first they lose some weight from water retention (as people do coming off unhealthy carbohydrate-laden diets) and then there can be a steady weight loss as the cat’s body burns up the fat while being nourished on the real meat from the can. The only danger is not giving them enough wet food – all cats need as much as they want to eat in a 15 minute period, twice a day, to avoid liver problems and also hunger problems for some as they come off the “kitty crack.”

Molly said her sister-in-law just gave her THE CAT BIBLE and she loves it Thanks Molly!).  She was glad to find the website and see so many other people are making the same switch for their fat cats as she is for O'Henry.

Hampton (Garden Kitten)

Hampton's people, Alex & Carol, live with him on Martha's Vineyard and have switched him to the new wet food diet even though they have to have it specially brought onto the island. At 20 lbs! they were game to give it a try - and I give them a hip-hip-hurray for going that extra (nautical) mile. 

BREAKING NEWS!  Hampton has lost a pound in eight days!

"Hey Tracy, it was great getting a chance to talk with you the other week - thanks for taking my call. I only wished I had more time with you. I just wanted to let you know, Carol and I have Hampton on Cat Chat approved foods only since April 1st and he is doing very well. I was miss informed about Felines Pride being available at our local market, so we've been sticking with the Cat Chat approved Fancy Feast varieties. I'm very happy to report that Hampton has lost one pound. He doesn't look smaller, but his eyes are brighter and he seems to have more energy. He is definitely eating less than he used to and we attribute that to the fact that he's getting the right kind of food now. He has protested his three meal to two meal a day schedule by knocking off some of the local chipmunks. When he does this we thank him for saving us money and count every rodent as a meal. Just as you suggest on your show, it takes him no longer than 15 minutes to eat everything, but the head which he always leaves for Mr. Manners. He's wearing a tuxedo and understands there's a level of decorum he needs to live up to. We have an appointment with Hampton's veterinarian on Monday and Dr. Dave has agreed to give Hampton the blood fit test to find out what vaccinations he may, or may not need - thank you so much for informing us about that test! Dr. Dave's practice is called, Caring For Pets. He operates out of a small mobile home that is a completely self contained mobile veterinarians office that he drives to our house. I've got to tell you, Hampton has no idea that he is having a doctors appointment when Dr. Dave comes for a visit because Dr. Dave is happy to do as much as he can within the comfort of Hampton's home. It's a great concept that alleviates any stress associated with traveling to a doctor's office. He can even do minor surgery, take x-rays and do all of the standard tests for dogs and cats in his vehicle.

"Are you familiar with Desmond Morris? He is an amazing zoologist that is best known for his series, The Human Animal - fascinating stuff. I highly recommend his work if you are not already familiar with it. He has written two books that may be of interest to you and you listeners, Cat Watching and Dog Watching. They are very entertaining and may help pet owners understand their furry friends a little better, or at least get them laughing.

"We look forward to your show this evening!"

—Your friends, Alex & Carol

 

Tiger

Another entry in the biggest kitty loser contest! Welcome "Big Boy" Tiger, weighing in at 17.6 lbs from Vallejo, California. Tiger is 4 years old and his human Ashley has been listening to the show and is now ready to make the switch off kitty crack onto wet food: Go Ashely! Go Tiger! I'm rooting for this big boy to slim right down!

Cleo, The Sun Potato & a Very Thirsty Cat

Here is another entry for the biggest loser cat competition: her name is Cleo. She's 5 years old and weighs 14 pounds. She loves to lounge on her back like this and soak in the rays. I'd love to help her get back to a healthy weight so she can enjoy playing with me as much as she loves being a sun potato. I was excited to learn through reading your website that several flavors of common varieties like 9 lives and Whiskas are still great for cats and won't break the bank. I look for whatever varieties are on sale, so it only costs me fifty cents a day to feed both kitties. WOW!!! It's only been two days, but I can't believe the change. I held out for a long time because I thought it was expensive, but Cleo's voracious thirst and belly bulge finally got me in the end. (More below.)

I had almost given up hope that anything would work for her. Cleo begged continuously for water from the tub. We tried a kitty bubbler, but she kept finding ways to flip the top off with her paws. When I taped the top shut, she moved the bowl until all of the water sloshed out. When I tried filling a regular water bowl five times a day, she batted it all over the floor till the water was almost gone. I thought that refusing to turn the tap on would break her resolve, but she just perched on the lid of the tub whenever I took a shower and batted at the curtain till I was done. What put me over the edge was seeing her lick condensation and ice from a poorly insulated window. She was one thirsty kitty and I was desperate to do something for her. I had lost almost all hope, but since Cleo started eating wet food she hasn't begged for water once! Whew knew the solution for a thirsty kitty could be so simple and immediate? Now my kitties are healthier and visibly happier. I can't wait to see what they are like when it's been a week! I asked my other kitty, Dulcinea, what she thinks of kitty crack now that she's eating like she should. She is eager to share her opinion. (See Photo Below.)

My kitties say thank you.
Kristina

CLEO UPDATE:

This is an update from Cleo's Mom, Kristina, who also say, "Best wishes to all you other kitty keepers and your kitties! I'm glad to know we are learning together."

WEEK ONE: Cleo began at 14 pounds. She lost 1.2 pounds this week and is down to 12.8 pounds. Wow! Almost half way to a healthy weight. Her coat is looking beautiful and she still hasn't begged for water.

WEEK TWO: Cleo gained .2 pounds this week and is up to an even 13. I'm hoping for better this week! We're still making progress on the food transition though. This week instead of leaving 3 ounces of food out for each kitty till it was gone, I switched to giving them only - or as much as - they could eat in 15 minutes. For Cleo that was usually 3 ounces. But there were times I didn't monitor as carefully as I should have and have seen Cleo eat more - out of Dulcie's bowl - after the other kitty leaves the room. I'll have to be more diligent. Her coat is even softer and shinier than it was last week. She still does not beg for water from the tap.

Derek

Derek's Mom Joan didn't think she should enter him in the Biggest Loser contest at 23 lbs.!!! until she was clear about how much wet food to feed him. But I'm entering him right now - and telling anyone else on the fence about entering to come on and get on board with the program! Check with your vet first to make sure the cat does not have a metabolic problem (like thyroid) and then ditch the kitty crack! Feed your cats AS MUCH CANNED FOOD AS THEY WILL EAT IN 15 MINUTES. They're going to lose a ton of weight and feel great. That's Derek on the left, in case you couldn't tell - and his housemate Bruno is the guy on the right, at a nice normal 11 lbs.

Oscar Joins the Biggest Kitty Loser Contest!

At 23 lbs., Cindy's kitty Oscar is the biggest cat to join the contest, and has lost 1 pound in the first week after switching to wet food. Watch out Stubby Tubby and Galileo -- you've got competition!

Notes on OSCAR the Largest cat in the Biggest Kitty Loser Contest

Oscar is an 11-year-old neutered male who was born in North Carolina and is the dominant cat of six cats living at the farm. Former 11 lb to the current weight. This was a gradual increase in weight that occurred between ages 4 and 7 he gradually went from 11 lbs. to the current 23 lbs. When he reached age 7,  Oscar began to gain weight rapidly and had a personality change. He became aggressive with the nine dogs and five other cats at the farm. He often would prove his dominance by attacking the cats or staring down the dogs or even planting himself in front of the vehicles coming into the farm.  

We often talk about the fact that Oscar is a "person in a catsuit." He has a very vigorous, dominant persona, is always moving, and alerts us to events on the farm. He is a true "watch cat."  

The wet food conversion has gone very well, started on 2/6/08. He is eating one-half to three-fourth of a can twice a day. His starting weight was 23 lb, and he is now at 22 lb. 
I appreciate your help with Oscar. 

—Cindy and Christine at Emerson Hill Farm

OSCAR UPDATE

This is from Cindy, Oscar's mom, and it's a update on his amazing progress:

"Oscar is doing so well on the switch to wet food that he is losing about 1 pound every 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. His girth is decreasing and he is beginning to run more. We have created an exercise program for him: he goes out into the pasture with us and we walk back to the house. He runs and sprints which he never did before. He is able to clean himself much better. He seems so much healthier. He loves chicken, this is cooked chicken in the can."

I am THRILLED for Oscar and his new-found mobility and energy - I do hope Cindy is feeding canned chicken only as a treat - and that she realizes it is an incomplete diet for a cat, who needs to have commercially prepared canned cat food (from the Cat Chat approved list that can be down loaded from CatChatRadio.com) The balanced nutrition in there is essential to long term health. Go Cindy! Go Oscar!

Galileo, Our Second Contestant

Galileo joined the Bigggest Kitty Loser Contest at 19 1/2 pounds and is now 14 1/2 lbs from switching to wet food. To learn more about his remarkable journey, see these letters between "Gali's" human, Jean, and Tracie, beginning below the photo.

From Jean:

"I wasn't sure if this is the correct email address to use, but I could not find another one on the Cat Chat Radio website.  Anyway, I just wanted to share my wet cat food story.  In August, I bought a new car that came equipped with satellite radio.  It took me until September to discover Cat Chat Radio and the first night I listened, you talked about dry vs. wet cat food.  My cat, Galileo (Gali for short) is over  8 years old and while he is a long cat, he was also terribly obese (over 19 pounds).  To make matters worse, if he could see the bottom of his bowl, he would get nervous and start pulling his fur out until he had removed all the soft fur on his hind quarters.  To keep him "happy", I just made sure he never ran out of food.  As a result, he went from heavy (15 pounds) to grossly overweight.

"The night I listened to your program, I was skeptical, but you said to try it for a week and see if it made a difference. . ."

Read the rest of the exchange here. (PDF File, 14KB)

Stubby Tubby (Our First Contestant)

STUBBY TUBBY weights 18 1/2 LBS! His people thought it was only 16. Now he's going on an all-wet diet to see if he can win The Biggest Kitty Loser Contest.

BREAKING NEWS! 
Beat this!! In just one week on wet food, Stubby Tubby has lost 1 1/2 pounds! Can you catch up with him?

UPDATE: Stubby Tubby has lost a total of 3 1/4 pounds and is down to a svelte 15 1/4 lbs. But if I'm going to have a contest then we need a bunch of folks to write in with photos of their fat cats and their determination to get off "kitty crack." Please send a photo of your fat cat to TheCatBible.com and switch immediately to wet food- for all your cats' overall health but especially for w eight loss plan. Call in or email weekly so tracie can monitor and congratulate you on her progress!