My cat is getting heavy

[sharky]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_c...oes_a_cat_need

page 5 has some basics
http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/...tion_final.pdf

[Auntie Crazy]

Hmmmm.

Originally Posted by sharky

If using a MEAT only , ensure it is a true treat making up no more than 10% of calories

As I said, I only use and recommend freeze-dried products as treats, which is precisely why I suggested they be meat-only.

Originally Posted by sharky

Non animal ingredients ARE FINE and actually more balanced than some raw diets commonly out there .. I would also assume MOST would read a label and make sure a food was for a "complete diet' before giving it for a meal on a regular basis ... Obviously avoid the ones with grains in them , yes some brands have freeze dried raw meat with grains .... I avoid ones that are not primarily meat , ie non meat should be vitamins and minerals .. I avoid veggie laden ones ... If using a MEAT only , ensure it is a true treat making up no more than 10% of calories

The rest of your post doesn’t make any sense to me, especially feeding non-animal products in a raw diet (since prey animals are all that cats eat in the wild, with the addition of insects and lizards). But, truth be told, it doesn’t need to. There is a wide range of “recipes” out there and it’s impossible to keep up with them, even if I were so inclined. My cats eat only whole prey and pieces of whole prey (called frankenprey for those unfamiliar with the practice), plus live crickets for variety and mental stimulation and sardines for Omega-3s. Their diet is simple, straightforward and exactly what they've evolved to eat, which works for me.

I’m sure my unfamiliarity with both homemade recipes and commercially-prepared products explains why I find your post confusing, Sharky. And I’m just as sure your cats are as well loved and cared for as my own on whatever it is you’re feeding them. *shrug*

Otto - Wow, lots of great suggestions, and you have a hysterical way of describing your cats' antics. Thanks for sharing! (I laughed out loud at Tolly and his Newspaper Tents. *still chuckling*).

Not to hijack Regina's thread, but do you have any suggestions for multiple participation games? I have five cats and throwing only a single treat out is likely to result in mayhem, likewise, a single dot causes collisions, etc. - boy, they love that thing, or da-bird - who's feathers never last more than a couple of sessions. Locking various members away causes serious distress and crying, distracting even those who are trying to play (and making me feel guilty as all get out *sigh*). I do occasionally whirl two da-birds, one in each hand, but *whew* that'll wear a body out. *grin* Any thoughts?

Regina - That's great you're going to increase the wet portion of your cat's diet. A calorie, for a cat (well, really, for obligate carnivores in general), isn't simply a calorie - those from protein are fully utilized, while those from other sources (grains, etc.) are not - they're turned into fat. Here's a dryly amusing article you might like, about a Winn study conducted on this topic: Is a calorie really always a calorie? Apparently not in cats.

Let us know how it goes!

[sharky]

Auntie NOT ALL things are directed at you or about you , even when I quote something you wrote ...

You feed how you think is best the rest of us will do what works for us

[Jordan S.]

do evo or core dry food.

[otto]

Originally Posted byAuntie CrazyOtto - Wow, lots of great suggestions, and you have a hysterical way of describing your cats' antics. Thanks for sharing! (I laughed out loud at Tolly and his Newspaper Tents. *still chuckling*).
Not to hijack Regina's thread, but do you have any suggestions for multiple participation games?

I started a new thread to answer this here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...20#post2759020

[sharky]

Originally Posted by Jordan S.

do evo or core dry food.

Please read the entire thread ...

[Snake_Lady]

Originally Posted by sharky

You feed how you think is best the rest of us will do what works for us

Good point Sharky.

People need to remember than not ONE person on here is RIGHT. Everything is opinion and personal experience. Noone here has the answers for every single nutrition problem.

The best anyone can do is research, and make an educated opinion based on fact, research and what works for their cat.

Everyone has differing opinions, and noone is above the other when expressing their opinions without fact to back them up. Noone should do something because "I said so", without researching it on their own to find what works for both pet and owner alike

[Auntie Crazy]

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

... and noone is above the other when expressing their opinions without fact to back them up. Noone should do something because "I said so", without researching it on their own to find what works for both pet and owner alike

Words to live by. Research is important. Also, TCS has an article here that mentions Dr. Andrea Tosi and Anne Jablonski, both of whom are volunteer members of FNES (well, actually everyone is a volunteer at FNES!).

If I have any mottos in my life, they are "There is ALWAYS a way." and "Knowledge is power." Cliches, yes, but they can serve one very well.

[Fiddledee]

I recall earlier seeing that mixing kibble with wet is bad. It is if you let it sit out for more than 20 minutes. When I was transitioning my kitty I was forced to mix dry with wet to get him used to transitions of textures. I never let the mixed food sit out for more than 15-20 minutes. The bacteria growth is negligible in a few minutes, but make SURE that it is in a not too humid environment and that you will pick it up promptly. Normally I never had any trouble as my cat gobbled it up straight away. It all depends. Mixing is a definite NO NO NO if you leave it out and don't wash the bowls every day.

Again, I only mixed because I had to and it was the quickest way to transition him to eating wet seperately from dry. I still free-feed him a certain amount of dry, but now I'm able to get him to eat wet twice a day in a separate bowl.

Some are saying raw...I supplement my cat's diet with a TINY amount of raw food every other day, or sometimes a chicken neck in substitution of one meal of wet. However, this is a diet that is about 15% raw on certain days of the week. I would not give any raw unless you are sure with what you're doing and have gotten opinions from multiple vets. Despite what some people say, us vet students at most institutions do have a non-corporate influenced companion animal nutrition class. I would get a few opinions from certain vets before putting ANY raw into your cat's diet, especially since you're transitioning. Reading all over books, SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES by EXPERTS with some sort of DEGREE [A D.V.M. part of their credintials, or a degree in Nutrition, or animal nutrition and/or animal science.]. Also, make sure you have more than one opinion with plenty of tests behind them.

As far as exercise, I found many cats enjoy "peek-a-boo." I run to a place where my cat Milo can't see me, but he knows where I've gone, like around a corner. He will stalk and chase me, especially if I have something like a string or cat wand.

I also found that the cheaper the toy, the more entertained a cat is. My cat will practically crawl up my leg for a crumpled piece of paper. Naturally because I live in a college area, there are many a beer box to be found. My neighbors drink frequently, and leave their boxes out by their front door before taking them to the recycling bin. I steal one and Milo has a blast jumping in and out of them, especially if I place one of his bell-balls in there.