Ethel the Cat Finds Her #PerfectWeight

What we choose to feed our cats is a personal preference. We all want the best for our fuzz-butts and make cat-food decisions based on many factors, including budget, research, convenience or special needs. Catladyland is not here to tell you what or how to feed your cats; however, from time to time, we're happy to present options we feel good about, knowing you will make the best decision for you and your cat.

We know pet obesity is a real problem, but did you know an extra two pounds on a cat is the same as nearly an extra 20 pounds on a human? I know -- it's staggering! If we look at it that way (you can figure your own pet-to-human weight comparison on Hill's handy online comparison tool), perhaps we'd help our pets shed that extra weight more immediately.

Saffy wants a second breakfast.

I'd mentioned my Saffy when I wrote about this important topic a couple of weeks ago. Her weight has always fluctuated, and there've been a few times over the years when our vet has told us she needed to drop two or three pounds, which I didn't think was that big of a deal. Of course we walked away knowing we needed to change her food and activity levels, but had I known the old girl was carrying around the equivalent of 20-25 human pounds, I would have acted more urgently.

Cat weight-loss can be challenging, so I wanted to tell you about a cat named Ethel, and how her human helped her turn her weight around and gain more energy and playfulness.

Ethel's activity level was low prior to the challenge.

Shawn Teets lost her beloved cat in 2008, and was found herself lonely. She worked at home, which exacerbated the feeling of solitude. I work at home, too, and can tell you my cats are my constant companions. I even call them my "assistants." Sure, they're lazy and take loads of breaks, but they love to nap on my lap and keep me entertained.

Shawn saw there was going to be a pair of sister-kittens available for adoption at the local Humane Society, and she was at their front door waiting to see the kitties as soon as they opened the following day. She wound up falling in love with -- and adopting -- both, naming them Lucy and Ethel (LOVE those names!). Now she'd have twice the company during the workday, although with kittens, I'm not exactly sure how much work she was getting done.

Fast-forward 8.5 years and Lucy and Ethel are still Shawn's steadfast companions. During vet checkup last October, she found that Ethel needed to lose three pounds. Sure, Ethel was a voracious and enthusiastic eater, but she hadn't realized if Ethel continued on this track, she'd be at risk for Diabetes. Plus, Ethel was more sedentary than Lucy, and Shawn wanted to see her more active.

Shawn decided to try the 10-Week Turnaround Challenge, which meant Ethel would eat the Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Perfect Weight cat food for ten weeks, and Shawn would see results. Ethel's starting weight was 13.4 pounds. She eagerly took to the new food, and within two weeks, Shawn noticed

Ethel, looking svelte and feeling more energetic!

Ethel's increased activity level. She was even chasing Lucy and engaging in more frequent play. By the end of the ten weeks, Ethel had become more active, playful ... and had lost 1.4 pounds! Go, Ethel!

Ethel's not alone in her 10-Week-Turnaround success story, and if you have an overweight cat and would like to try the Turnaround, now's the perfect time to do it! You can share your progress and success in the 10-Week-Turnaround sweepstakes and qualify for gift cards, or even a year's supply of FREE pet food! How cool is that?

Do you have a weight-loss story about your cat? What's been your experience? Please share in the comments below, and Hill's would love you to hear from you on their Facebook page!

This post is sponsored by Hill's and the Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for spreading the word about Hill's® Science Diet® Perfect Weight Food, but Catladyland only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.