cat eye &tummy concerns?

Question
QUESTION: Do cats blink? I mean are they suppose to blink,like people?What would it mean if your cat can close eyes to sleep,but dose not blink,is that normal? Is it normal for female cat to gain LOTS of weight after being spayed?

ANSWER: Hi Nikki.  Cats do blink, but less frequently than people do.  Whereas we blink an average of about 10-20 times per minute, cats only blink 1-3 times per minute or may even go a few minutes without blinking at all.  This is because they have a special tissue called a nictitating membrane, which sweeps across the eye when they blink and helps to keep the eye moist.  This membrane is sometimes called a third eyelid.  You may have seen it - it's white in color and may be noticeable in the corners of the eyes when your kitty is drowsy.

Some cats gain a lot of weight after a spay because of the sudden change in hormones.  This is mostly true in cats who are already sexually mature when spayed.  Estrogen naturally suppresses appetite, and when spayed, estrogen production drops off, so a cat's appetite may grow.  In my experience, this has usually corrected itself without too much difficulty when given a few months, but you should encourage your kitty to exercise and be sure to follow feeding recommendations on the package.  

It has been noted that the metabolisms of spayed cats can remain slower than those of unspayed cats, but the health benefits still far outweigh the risks.  Exercise is important, and if necessary, a lite formula food can help your kitty stay trim.

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QUESTION: But is it cause for concern if my cat doesnt blink at all? My female was very young when spayed,she is huge and her belly hangs down,she has some kind of problem she throws up alot of her food.Took me awhile before I found a food that she keeps down.My point shes not overeating & my other cats gives her excercise!Should I be worried?

Answer
The blinking is not a concern as long as she is able to close her eyes to sleep.  

Obesity is a concern in cats for the same reasons as it is in people.  It creates stress on the heart and lungs, makes arthritis more likely and greatly increases the chances of diabetes.  There are no common medical reasons why a cat would gain weight.  Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, will cause weight gain, but is the rarest metabolic disorder found in cats.  So mostly, you are left with, she is taking in more calories than she is using.  

Dry cat food can be bad this way because it contains mostly grains (carbohydrates), and cats don't handle carbs well.  Cats are meat eaters, not grain eaters, and their bodies were meant to metabolize meat (protein and fat).  When a cat eats protein or fat, they are used for energy.  When they eat carbs, they are stored as fat.  Canned food generally contains fewer carbs than dry food, and many vets, mine included, suggest feeding up to a 100% canned food diet to cats who need to lose weight.

Because your kitty has a sensitive stomach, and it has been difficult to find a food that she can tolerate, a prescription food might be needed that would both help her lose weight and be easy on the stomach.  Changing your cat's diet is something to talk to the vet about, and a prescription food can be recommended if necessary.