From a tiny rescued kitten with colourful toe beans to a larger-than-life tortie with a huge appetite, a whole lot of tortitude, and a family who adores her.
If you have followed Funky Frugal Mommy for a while, you have probably seen my beautiful girl, Beans, also affectionately known as Beaner. She has become quite the character in our home, and if you have seen her pictures, you already know she is not exactly your average-sized kitty!
But what you might not know is that she did not start out this way. Once upon a time, Beaner was a tiny little fluffball who stole our hearts, took over our home, and quickly learned that being cute could get her just about anything she wanted.
Today, she is a big, beautiful, food-loving tortie who believes she deserves a taste of absolutely everything we eat. She has the personality of a queen, the appetite of a teenager, and the adorable puppy eyes of a cat who acts as though she has never been fed in her entire life.
Of course, that last part is completely untrue. This girl has been spoiled since day one!
So, let’s talk about where Beans came from, how she grew into the big girl she is today, and what we are doing to help her get healthier while still living her best life.
How It All Started: A Tiny Kitten Who Needed a Home
Beans came into our lives after being rescued from a litter of little fluffballs born into a home with far too many cats. Their family couldn’t afford to have the mama cat spayed, and before long, there were more kittens needing homes.
We were thrilled to bring our little girl home. She was adorable, fluffy, and everything you could want in a kitten. We had no idea just how much personality would eventually fit inside that tiny body!
From the beginning, she was loved, spoiled, and treated like part of the family. She had a safe home, people who adored her, and plenty of opportunities to charm her way into our hearts.
And those little toe beans? One of her feet had multicoloured toe beans that inspired her name, Beans. It was perfect for her, and the name stuck.
She was our little Beans, and she was going to be one very loved kitty.
If you want to see more of the hilarious personality that made our cats so entertaining to follow, check out my post about How We Went Viral, and How You Can Too!. Beans has always had a way of capturing attention without even trying!
Why We Call Her Beaner
Over the years, Beans picked up a nickname that our family uses every single day: Beaner.
It developed naturally from her name. It was never chosen with hateful intentions, and we never thought of it as anything other than an affectionate nickname for our cat.
We understand that words can carry different meanings in different places and cultures, and that a word someone uses innocently can be heard differently by someone else. That does not change the love and intention behind the name we gave our girl, but it is worth recognizing that context matters.
For our family, it has always been about our cat, her colourful toe beans, and the silly nicknames that become part of family life.
There was never any intention to insult anyone. We love our girl, and we have always used her nickname affectionately. Sometimes, the internet turns a personal family moment into a much bigger argument than it needs to be.
At the end of the day, Beans is a cat who is loved beyond measure. I would much rather spend my time sharing her funny personality, celebrating her progress, and making people smile than arguing over what our family calls her at home.
Growing Up in a Small Home
For more than ten years, our family lived in a small, three-bedroom rancher. It was a one-floor home where I also ran my daycare, often working 10–12 hours a day caring for little ones.
It was our home, and we made it work for our family, but it was not exactly a cat’s dream playground.
As anyone who has spent time around kittens knows, little children do not always understand how to interact gently with animals. They can be loud, energetic, and unpredictable. Sometimes they reach for fur, try to pick up a cat when it doesn’t want to be held, or simply make more noise than a kitty can comfortably handle.
I wanted Beans to feel safe, so she had a room where she could retreat from the daycare noise and enjoy some peace and quiet.
During the day, she often chose to hide away in her room. At night, when the children were gone and the house was quieter, she had more freedom to explore and spend time with us.
We also let her enjoy our large backyard under supervision and took her along on adventures when we could.
She wasn’t neglected, and she certainly wasn’t unloved. She was a spoiled family pet who had a safe place to sleep, plenty of affection, and a family that wanted the best for her.
However, looking back, I can see that her opportunities for everyday movement were more limited than they could have been. Our home simply didn’t provide the same amount of space for running, climbing, and exploring that she has now.
I think that is an important part of understanding her story.
The Foodie Who Wanted Everything on Our Plates
If there is one thing you need to know about Beans, it is that she LOVES food.
She has been a foodie since she was little. She would watch us eat with those enormous, hopeful eyes and act as though our plates contained the most incredible delicacies on the planet.
And heaven forbid someone leave their food unattended!
She has always been the kind of cat who wants to investigate whatever anyone is eating. If someone has a snack, Beans wants to know about it. If someone sits down with a meal, she is ready to supervise.
She has a way of looking at you that makes you feel absolutely terrible for not sharing.
Those eyes could convince just about anyone that she is starving, even when she has already eaten.
We spoiled her, and we loved making her happy. It was hard not to give in when she looked so adorable, especially when we were busy and couldn’t spend every minute entertaining her.
We have even treated her to special kitty treats and fun experiences along the way. If you want to see another example of how we spoil our furry family members, check out my post, Pup Cup Turned Kitty Cup.
But over time, those extra treats, little tastes, and less-active days added up.
I am not going to pretend that it was all beyond our control. We are her people, and we have a responsibility to help her maintain a healthy weight. We were trying to make her happy, but we have learned that loving a food-motivated cat sometimes means saying no to the very thing she wants most.
How Did Beans Get So Big?
Beans gradually grew from a tiny kitten into a very large cat.
Her love of food was one factor. Her limited opportunities for movement during those years were another. And, like people, cats can have individual differences in their body shape, appetite, and energy needs.
When you combine a cat who is highly motivated by food with a household where it can be difficult to keep her active all day, weight can creep up without you fully appreciating how much things have changed.
We took her to the veterinarian for regular checkups as she grew. She does not have diabetes, but she has developed a weight problem that we are taking seriously.
At a certain point, we had to acknowledge that she was no longer simply a big, fluffy girl. She was carrying more weight than was healthy for her.
It is easy to laugh about a chunky cat, especially when she is as entertaining as Beans. Her personality is enormous, and she has always been the queen of our home.
But obesity can put extra strain on a cat’s joints, affect mobility, and increase the risk of other health problems. We want her to have as many happy, comfortable years with us as possible.
That means helping her lose weight, even when she gives us her most heartbreaking look.
Thirty Pounds at Her Dental Surgery
One of the moments that really made us stop and think was her dental surgery in June 2026.
Beans weighed 30 pounds at the time.
Thirty pounds!
That is a whole lot of cat, even for a girl with as much personality as ours. Seeing that number made it clear that we needed to take a more structured approach to her weight and overall health.
We have since made changes to her feeding routine and introduced diet food to help manage her calorie intake.
The encouraging news is that she has already made progress. She has lost approximately six pounds, bringing her weight to around 24 pounds.
We are continuing to monitor her progress and work toward a healthier weight.
I am proud of her, and I am proud of us for taking the steps needed to help her. It is not about making her smaller for appearances or because people online have opinions about her size. It is about giving her the best possible chance at a long, comfortable life.
We love our big girl exactly as she is, but loving her also means helping her become healthier.
A New Home With More Room to Explore
One of the biggest changes in Beans’ life has been our move into a much larger, two-storey home.
After spending so many years in a small rancher, we now have a home with more space for the cats to roam freely and explore throughout the day.
Beans can move between areas, investigate different rooms, climb where it is safe to do so, and decide where she wants to spend her time.
There is more opportunity for natural movement, and she no longer has to spend as much of the day tucked away from the activity of a daycare.
It has been wonderful seeing her have more freedom.
Of course, having a bigger home does not automatically make a cat lose weight. We still need to encourage movement and control how much food she eats. But the extra space gives us more opportunities to make activity part of her everyday routine.
We can hide small portions of her food around the house, encourage her to follow toys, and make her work a little for the things she loves.
We also want to keep the house safe for our cats as they explore their new surroundings. I have shared some helpful information in How to Keep Your Cats Safe Around High Drops, Stairs, and Railings.
We want her life to be interesting, comfortable, and full of little adventures.
And, knowing Beans, she will probably find a way to turn every activity into an opportunity to request a snack!
How We Are Helping Beans Lose Weight
Our goal is to help Beans lose weight safely without making her miserable. We want her to remain her happy, affectionate, food-loving self while developing healthier habits.
Here are some of the things we are focusing on.
1. Measuring Her Food
One of the biggest changes for a food-loving cat is moving away from guessing how much she eats.
We are focusing on measured meals rather than giving her extra food whenever she asks. A veterinarian can help calculate an appropriate daily calorie target based on her ideal weight, current condition, and activity level.
It is important to count treats and any extras as part of her daily intake, too.
2. Using Veterinary-Recommended Weight-Loss Food
We have introduced diet food to help with her weight loss.
Weight-management diets can help cats feel more satisfied while controlling calories, depending on the formulation. We want to make sure Beans gets enough protein and essential nutrients while gradually reducing excess body fat.
Her veterinarian can help us determine whether her current food and portion sizes are appropriate for her needs.
3. Making Mealtime More Interesting With a LickiMat
Because Beans is so food-motivated, making her meals more engaging is something we have been exploring.
I previously shared our experience in Beans Tries a LickiMat for the First Time.
Food enrichment can be a useful way to encourage natural feline behaviours and make meals more interesting. Depending on the type of food and the puzzle, it may also encourage slower eating.
For Beans, the important thing is to use part of her measured daily food allowance rather than adding extra calories. We want her to enjoy her meals while still working toward her weight-loss goals.
4. Encouraging More Movement
Now that Beans has more room, we can encourage short periods of activity throughout the day.
Some ideas include:
- Wand toys that encourage her to stalk and chase.
- Tossing a favourite toy a short distance for her to follow.
- Food puzzles that make her work for some of her meals.
- Hiding small portions of her measured food in different safe locations.
- Creating accessible climbing opportunities with sturdy cat furniture and steps.
- Scheduling a few short play sessions rather than expecting her to exercise for a long time.
For a cat carrying extra weight, gentle, consistent movement is a better starting point than demanding exercise sessions.
5. Making Treats Count
This might be the hardest part for our family because Beans is so convincing.
Those eyes! That little face! The way she acts as though she has never eaten a meal in her life!
We are learning that affection does not have to come in the form of food. We can give her attention, brushing, cuddles, toys, and time with us instead.
If we give treats, we need to account for those calories in her daily plan. Human food is not a good way to supplement her diet, and some foods can be dangerous for cats.
6. Keeping Her Hydrated
Hydration is another important part of caring for our cats.
We have explored different products for making our cats’ daily routines more comfortable, including our AquaPurr Cat Fountain Review.
While a fountain is not a weight-loss solution, making fresh water readily available is a helpful part of general cat care. We want Beans to have easy access to water throughout the house.
7. Tracking Her Progress
We want to keep an eye on her weight so we can see what is working and make changes when necessary.
Regular weigh-ins, a written feeding log, and veterinary checkups can help us track progress without relying on appearances alone.
Our veterinarian can also help establish a realistic target weight and determine an appropriate rate of loss. Cats should lose weight gradually, not through crash dieting or sudden food restriction.
Our priority is her health, not a number on the scale.
How Much Weight Should a Cat Lose?
Because Beans started at such a high weight, it is particularly important that we do not rush the process.
Veterinarians often recommend gradual weight loss, commonly around 0.5–2% of a cat’s current body weight per week, with the exact target individualized to the cat.
For a cat with significant obesity, veterinary guidance is especially important.
Rapid weight loss or eating too little can cause serious health problems in cats, including hepatic lipidosis, a potentially life-threatening liver condition.
That is why we are not simply cutting her food dramatically or trying every weight-loss trick we see online. We want a plan that meets her nutritional needs while allowing her body to adjust safely.
If she stops eating, seems unwell, or loses weight unexpectedly quickly, we will contact her veterinarian rather than assuming everything is going according to plan.
We want Beans to get healthier without putting her at risk.
Life With Beans and Oreo
Beans is not the only cat keeping us entertained. Our tuxedo girl, Oreo, has her own personality and plenty of opinions about how things should work around here.
Between Beaner’s food obsession and Oreo’s antics, there is never a dull moment in our home.
We have tried different products to make life more comfortable for our cats, including the Gorgeous and Enormous Litter Box by Tuft + Paw.
Of course, having cats also means dealing with fur, messes, and the occasional bit of chaos. I have shared some of our household experiences in my FurZapper Review: The Reusable Pet Hair Remover That Actually Works and Bravo Paper Towels Review.
These everyday moments are part of life with our furry family members. They might make a mess, steal our seats, and demand attention at the most inconvenient times, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Beans and Oreo have become part of our family’s story, and sharing their adventures is one of the fun parts of running Funky Frugal Mommy.
What I Have Learned From Raising Beans
Looking back at Beans’ life, I can see how much our circumstances, our habits, and her personality all played a part in her journey.
We brought home a tiny kitten and gave her a loving family. We made a small home work for us, protected her from the chaos of my daycare, and gave her safe outdoor time and adventures. We also spoiled her, especially when it came to food.
We did the best we knew how to do at the time, and we are still learning.
Now we have more space, a better understanding of her weight concerns, and a plan to help her become healthier.
I am not sharing her story because I think having a big cat is funny enough to ignore the health implications. I am sharing it because real pet ownership involves learning, adjusting, and taking responsibility when something needs to change.
We can adore our pets, laugh at their personalities, and celebrate everything that makes them special while still acknowledging when they need help.
Beans is not just her weight. She is the tiny rescue kitten who became part of our family, the foodie who tries to steal everyone’s dinner, the tortie with the colourful toe beans, and the girl who has brought so much laughter and love into our lives.
She is large and in charge, and she knows it.
But we are working toward a healthier future for her, one measured meal, one play session, and one weigh-in at a time.
Life With Beans: Our Big Girl Is Still Our Little Baby
Even though Beans is now a much bigger cat than the tiny fluff we brought home, she will always be our baby.
We love her affectionate personality, her food obsession, her attitude, and all the ridiculous things she does around the house. She has given us countless funny moments and has become a familiar face for those who follow our family and our cats.
Our goal is to help her move more comfortably, protect her long-term health, and give her the happiest life possible.
She has already made progress, and we are going to keep going.
If you have a cat who has struggled with weight, I would genuinely love to hear what has worked for you. Have you found food puzzles your cat actually enjoys? Do you have tricks for encouraging a less-active cat to play? Have you worked with your veterinarian on a successful weight-management plan?
Share your experiences in the comments. We are always looking for safe, practical ideas that could help our big girl.
And if you see Beans lounging around the house, looking like the queen she believes herself to be, remember that behind those adorable eyes is a little rescue kitten who grew up surrounded by love.
She might be a big girl now, but she will always be our Beans. ❤️
About Funky Frugal Mommy: Real-life family living, honest pet stories, practical tips, and everyday adventures. Follow along as we share life with our family, our cats, and all the chaos that comes with them.
