Fat tendencies

LOL

Well, this is the first time ever I am having difficulties gauging portions for my cat. I have had cats before(in 2s and 3s) and I free fed dry food and fed wet food twice a day.
However, those cats could go outside for a bit every day or couple of days and there was no weight issues.

However, now I have Ferdinand who's 2 years old and he's inside cat only. I took him for checkup when we got him about 2 months ago and he weight just over 12lbs. The vet said that is about right weight for him but he managed to put on some more and he weighs an additional pound over that. Feels more then that(I don't have a scale good enough) but I think he still has a little growth in him, judging by the size of his paws. So I don't think it's all fat. His gut hanging underneath is a bit bigger then it was but all in all, he's not bad but if he gained more, it would not be good.

I'd really like to free feed him dry food like I used to but I think he eats too much and also pukes sometimes. I noticed the last time that a lot of pieces are not even chewed!

I feed him Technical brand for indoor cats and the bag recommends 1 cup a day. And he could easily eat double that or more. So, I keep feeding him several times during 24 hrs but he always seems to ask for food, every time we head towards the kitchen.

Any suggestions? I don't want him to get overweight but I can't help but thing that he needs more food.
I do not feed him wet food other then rare occasions.

Depending on his breed and activity level, 12lbs is not that obese really. Take that one cup and divide it up over several small portions throughout the day. I would also get him on some quality wet food. It is healthier for male kitties to eat more wet and less fattening then dry.

I also don't know what Technical is, can you list the ingredients?

Actually, wet food is less calorically dense than dry food, so upping the wet food and lessening the dry food would not be a bad idea. Twelve pounds or even thirteen pounds does not seem overweight for an adult male cat, unless he is small-framed. I wouldn't worry too much -- I would probably not want to let him get a lot fatter, but he doesn't sound overweight. Pictures would be helpful...

Exercise is always good for any cat (or human!); play sessions with interactive "Fishing pole" type toys like DaBird, Feline Flyer, or similar toys, are enjoyable for your cat and you, too! and help his metabolism and weight.

It's normal for cats to vomit some, according to "experts" I've read; and because dry cat food kibble is not something cats ever find in the wild, and due to their dentition, they do tend to throw up unchewed kibble. Again, not to worry, unless he's doing it every day. Always feed high quality foods, whatever brand or type you choose; it will keep him healthier and be more economical in the long run, as he won't have so many illnesses or need to see his doctor as often as cats who don't get quality diets. I'm not familiar with Technical brand. As long as the food is "human-grade" without fillers or byproducts, you should be all right. GOOD LUCK! and we would love to see some pix of your cat.

HUMAN grade DOES NOT EXIST is you are in the USA ... AFFCO nor the USDA OR FDA( yep they control foods with health issue claims) has defined it ...

VERY true there is NOT a KIBBLE animal or tree

If free feeding is needed??? MEASURE a morning and evening amount and add too bowl /...

Wet is better IMHO for overall health and for wt mgmt .... also easier to find decent/good at the grocery store

I do belive technical has wheat corn and animal by products... if so Look at something with NO by products .. and lower to no grains( rice is best )

Well, he's not really fat at all(other then big neck and 'pot belly'), he looks rather good. However, I have a feeling that he'd gain weight rapidly if I free-fed him, which I would like to do. But more then free feeding him, I'm wondering how much to feed him. The package suggests one cup of food per day which seems to little for him, his appetite is bigger. That's why I'm not sure how much to feed him.

This is him:

And this is the food:
http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/tc/cat/urinary_en.php

Approximately 100 g in a 250 mL cup.


Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal,one or the other not both Rice, Ground Corn, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavour, Salmon Oil, Beet Pulp, Pea Fibre, Calcium Sulphate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, DL-Methionine, Yeast Extract, L-Lysine, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulphate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin, Inositol, Ascorbic Acid, Manganous Oxide, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine, Copper Sulphate, Copper Proteinate, d-Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, d-Biotin, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12 and Sodium Selenite.

Not bad .... More protein from animal sources would be good

Yeah, it's not a cheap food but seems good. This is what the vet recommended as well.

You may want to look into grain frees for him... HIGH protein and moderate fat like a cats natural diet