Amadeus was a tiny little thing when we got him at 8 weeks. (duh, what kitten isn't tiny?) The vet put him on Science Diet Kitten. He grew FAST. By the time he was 4 months old he was the size of some very petite adult cats that I've seen. At first he was just growing proportionately, but before we realized it, his belly was getting big. My previous vet put him on prescription cat food and we had to separate the two cats so they could each eat their respective food. He lost a couple ounces, but never really enough. It seemed he was always hungry, no matter how we tried to regulate his food or give him more. (I say "we" because I used to live with a guy and he moved away and we separated and I kept the cats, but now they are just mine.)
I took him to the vet this last time and he is 25 pounds! My friend, who rescued him as a kitten and gave him to us, said his parents were huge, and he has always had a bigger head and paws. The vet said he was a larger boned cat, but that he was still overweight. He needs to lose about 10 pounds so that he's about 15. I haven't had much trouble with him being so hungry anymore, but I'm wondering what the best way to lower his food portions and get this weight off of him. I don't want him to have any health problems and I know if he can run all over the place he'll be happier. I have found a couple toys that he just goes nuts over, so I'm able to exercise him a little each day, but how much is enough? And, I have a small apartment so there's not a whole lot of room until I get a bigger place. I am hoping for a 2 story townhouse soon because that's what I was in when I got him and he loved running up and down the stairs to chase his toy.
I am also wondering how much food he should be getting, right now he's getting between 3/4 and 1 cup per day. So, if someone can tell me that and also tell me how much exercise he needs to get him healthier I'd love it! thanks!!!
I took him to the vet this last time and he is 25 pounds! My friend, who rescued him as a kitten and gave him to us, said his parents were huge, and he has always had a bigger head and paws. The vet said he was a larger boned cat, but that he was still overweight. He needs to lose about 10 pounds so that he's about 15. I haven't had much trouble with him being so hungry anymore, but I'm wondering what the best way to lower his food portions and get this weight off of him. I don't want him to have any health problems and I know if he can run all over the place he'll be happier. I have found a couple toys that he just goes nuts over, so I'm able to exercise him a little each day, but how much is enough? And, I have a small apartment so there's not a whole lot of room until I get a bigger place. I am hoping for a 2 story townhouse soon because that's what I was in when I got him and he loved running up and down the stairs to chase his toy.
I am also wondering how much food he should be getting, right now he's getting between 3/4 and 1 cup per day. So, if someone can tell me that and also tell me how much exercise he needs to get him healthier I'd love it! thanks!!!
