Fat Cat?

My personal inclination would be to go back to free range. You didn't say how long ago you moved, but the attraction to food may have something to do with the move and changes in her life.

Another question you didn't address is whether she's getting any treats - kitty treats or table scraps - which can have an effect on weight.

Some animals who feel they've been deprived of food at some point in their lives will overeat - afraid the food won't be there the next time they want it. This is especially true of cats who've had to fend for themselves. We have young ones (four-five years old) who are a pound or two overweight and have the "fat pads" on their bellies - but they were in adverse circumstances when they were kittens.

Most cats will naturally start to thin out as they get up in years. If it were me, I wouldn't worry about a couple extra pounds unless it was having a very detrimental effect on your cat's health. Puma

ETA: You also didn't say whether you're feeding wet or dry food. For free range I'd use a decent dry food. We have Purina out in a self feeder for our gang all the time.

Cats who've not had food-related stress issues tend to be very good at regulating their own food, and for a weight gain of 3 pounds I wouldn't be too worried, myself. Keep in mind that cats which have been spayed or neutered tend to be larger than ones that haven't, and the breed of cat also makes a difference in the weight.

You're dealing with a cat that has dealt with a lot of stress - loss of a companion cat, moving to a new home and a change in feeding style all in quick succession. I agree that the change in feeding method could account for her food obsession. She's used to always knowing where food is, so now she's experiencing something new - scarcity.

Plus, at 11 years old she's getting on and during old age it can be better for a cat to be a little larger. Cat appetites are sensitive, and illness can make them stop eating for extended periods. It's a good idea, once they get to the age where various illnesses become more likely, to worry more about weight loss than weight gain, unless the weight gain is significant.

Cats naturally don't eat once or twice a day, but would eat mouse-sized meals several times throughout the day, so I'd recommend going back to free feeding, but would also second Puma's suggestion to make sure you're providing a high quality dry cat food and a good, plentiful water source to go with it.

One thing to consider - since her companion passed away, what sort of exercise is your girl getting? My two chase each other across the house a fair bit. If she doesn't have a companion to play with, or stuff to hunt, a lack of exercise could be more to blame for any slight weight gain.

You might try a higher fibre "weight loss" food--they get more eating time for their calories.

That soft fold of skin on her belly isn't necessarily a problem: it's just something that some cats get, according to our vet (one of our cats has one too, and we call it her flob--I don't know where that came from, but it's certainly stuck!).

As for her being overweight: it's very difficult to get cats to lose weight once they've gained it. If I were you I'd talk to your vet, and see what he has to say; and I'd consider how happy she is, and how active she is. I would definitely swap her to a "light" food, because it tends to be more bulky and so she'll feel like she's getting more food, which might resolve her worries. A Feliway diffuser could be helpful too, if she's feeling at all anxious.

Another issue might be a feeling of "food insecurity" that can come from going from free feeding to measured feeding. A cat can get the idea food is unpredictable and goes away (and might never come back!) and they need to scarf it down whenever it appears. You can reduce this by feeding the allotment out in 5-6 small portions.

Has your cat been tested for a thyroid condition? My first cat wouldn't stop eating and that was the problem. She'd even steal the dog's food.

I've always given my cats a half can of Natural Balance food per meal and they have no weight issues.

If you do get her a new be sure to take her to meet the new cat. Some like each other, some hate each other. They're kinda like people in that respect. Just cause you like the new cat doesn't mean she will. And she does have the dog for company.

I've always had a number of animals. I've never seen two that didn't like each other decide that they did. They just kept to their only areas and tried to ignore the other. Except in one case where the cat fought everyone else every day. sigh.

I've always had a bunch of animals, but am down to one. The current one, who was happy in a group, doesn't want a new companion to replace the ones who died.

I also kept dry food, not diet, mine gained weight on that, but a high fiber for older cats maintaince food out all the time.