Food portions

I posted a thread before talking about my fat cat. My last update said she is doing great. She still is. She is like a whole new cat now, she even feels like a different cat.

My question is this... I have been measuring her food this whole time. Now that she has lost weight she is becoming more and more active. Do I continue measuring the same amount of food out or should I increase it? I don't want to make the mistake and have her get fat again.

Hi. I'm glad to hear that she has lost weight. I think you'll probably have to slightly increase the amount she is getting, or otherwise she might continue to lose weight. I know that a lot of "light" dry foods recommend certain amounts for weight loss, and higher amounts for weight maintenance. Why don't you email the producers of the Health Diet Gourmet, and ask them?

Hi, immortal flower (such a pretty2 name!)

Here are so sites for you:



http://www.catclub.net/cat_care/introducing.asp#Feeding

Feeding

The amount of food you should feed your cat depends on the cat itself, as each cat eats different amounts of food. As a rough guide an adult cat will eat about one tin of cat food, served at room temperature spread over two meals a day (400/450g). A cat has specific nutritional needs, so his diet must be balanced.

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http://www.retirement-matters.co.uk/pets/feedcat.htm

Is obesity a problem in cats?

Generally cats are able to regulate the amount of food they eat and it is uncommon for them to become too fat. However, if large quantities of tasty food are always available they may start to overeat and older, neutered cats that spend most of their time indoors are most susceptible. Weigh your cat regularly to make sure it is not gaining or losing weight and adjust the amount of food accordingly. To weigh your cat first get onto the scales yourself and record your weight, then pick up your cat and record the weight of both of you, finally deduct your weight from the second reading to find how much your cat weighs. Alternatively cats can be weighed in a carrying basket but remember to allow for the weight of the basket when calculating its weight. If your cat needs to lose weight your vet will be able to recommend a special low calorie diet but do not attempt to put your cat on a 'crash diet' as this could be very damaging to its health.

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http://www.catclub.net/cat_care/introducing.asp

(Go here to type in your question, an advisor would give you an answer.)

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Cheers!

If your cat is at their optimal weight, with a good level of phsyical activity then KEEP your cat at the same feeding amount every day. Do not decrease, and do not increase, unless you see a change in her of her body weight or lack of energy etc.

IF she continues to loose a lot of weight from the same measured feedings then yes, maybe you could slowly add a little bit more in her bowl each time until she gets back up to a decent weight, but if you see no signs of her getting too skinny, keep the measurment the exact same.

Well, she hasn't yo-yo dieted or anything like that. It took me about two months to get her to a point where she lost weight.

I think I just got all kinds of opposing advice! Oh well, I have been following a guideline to tell if cats are too fat which was by sight and touch. She feels about right now, she has padding on her ribs without them being too obvious. When I started finding the right amount of food I couldn't feel her ribs at all. She also used to snore and doesn't snore anymore. She used to walk around, now she runs and chases my other cat.

So, I'm not worried about her being under fed and lacking energy. She's better than ever. I think I shall look into all the advice and see what works to keep her at her current level.

Hi and congratulations on the great job you did of reducing your kitties weight. I just hope I can do the same for mine. I started her on wellness canned. I give her 1/2 a 5.5oz can a day. I do give her a little of the hard. Should I eliminate the hard?? What kind of food did you feed yours? I really need help as she is about 15lbs. I think she would be better at 12. Also she is lacking any energy, she lays around most of the time.
Ruth

Immortal Flower and Ruth, i keep my kitty babies weight in tune by exercising them, with the help of interactive games - teaser feathers, slithering snakes, toys, etc.

In my opinion, exercise is highly viable to maintain good health and weight as well. i think, just like humans, cats can be complacent, as it is so easy to eat, then sleep. Perhaps a little encouragement should do the trick?

Cheers!

I completely removed hard food from my cat's diet. Before this, I was feeding only hard food and trying portions and she didn't lose any weight at all. Then someone on here sent me links about cat foods and I decided to go only to soft foods and I think that and the portions is what really did it for my cat.

Curious What was the name of the wet-food and also how much a day did you feed? Are you going to give any hard foods now that she lost weight? I think I'll try just the wet. I'm almost there, since I only give her very little hard. I guess I'm the one with the hang up as she looks for more food in the evening then I give in and give her little bit of hard. (my fault) Thanks for your help, and again, you did a great job.
Ruth

i feed my babies with BOTH wet and dry foods. Also, i add vitamin supplements.

In the hope to maintain their weight and health, i encourage them to exercise several times a day, through interactive game sessions.

Yeah, everything in moderation ...

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Cheers!

I cut and paste a message that was posted to me in another thread when I was starting Isabel on a new food diet. This contains a couple links I was given that were very interesting,

Here's a couple of links I found yesterday regarding dry diets, and the effect carbohydrates have on our cat's weight.

http://www.vetcentric.com/magazine/...?ARTICLEID=1430
(the interesting bit is about half way down)

http://www.vet4petz.com/articles/diabetes.htm

Ok, they're about Diabetes, but what they are saying is the carbohydrates in the dry food are causing obesity, which in turn "may" be the cause of diabetes in some cats.

Most of this information has come from research from Deborah Greco.

I feed my crew dry still, but only put it out for 15-20 mins at breakfast & dinner. Their main diet now is raw & canned food.

Julia.

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