How much wet food per cat?

dusty's mom

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My kitties get Fancy Feast. [I know! Long story] They also have dry available, which they snack on at night. Obviously they prefer wet.

When we only had Dusty (7 yr. old spayed female, abt. 6 lbs), she would eat no more than 1 can a day, often less. Then we got Squeak (now 5 mo. old spayed female) and the FF consumption QUADRUPLED to 4+ cans a day between them, and Dusty is eating the most at about 2 1/2 cans a day. She is skinny, so I'm not worried about weight gain.

The math is not working! If 1 = 1, then 2 should = 2, NOT 4! What's going on here?
 

jack31

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A growing cat is going to use way more calories in a day than an older adult cat.

FF comes in 3 oz cans right?

6lbs isn't a large cat at all so one 3 oz can plus some dry sounds right.

However 7.5 oz for a 6lb cat seems way to much, has Dusty put on weight? If she still sits at 6lbs I'd be worried about an underlying health issue.

My 9lb+ boys couldn't consume 7.5 oz of wet food a day.

Question, why dry is being fed along with wet?

Leslie
 

sharky

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rough guideline is 1/2 oz to 1oz per lb per day... so a 12lb cat could eat 4 3oz cans a day ... this is also = what a ave kitten of half the weight would eat
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Jack31

A growing cat is going to use way more calories in a day than an older adult cat.
Except she said it's Dusty that's eating more lately.

Sounds like your Dusty is a bit of a competitive eater. She sees the kitten chowing down so she wants to eat more wet food, too.
I have a similar problem, a couple of the cats may not be hungry but then one will start begging for a handout and soon they'll all start begging.


They're getting plenty with the dry, too. It's just that kittens are almost always hungry unless sleeping or really engaged in play.


They are eating a lot of can, though. Is there anyway you can get them eating a food that comes in 5.5-6oz cans? It'll produce less trash and save you a little money since those tiny FF cans can be pricey. If Dusty was picky in the past, she may now try to eat more types if the kitten eats it.
 
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dusty's mom

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Yeah, she was picky in the past, so I don't know if she will accept anything else. But I'm willing to try. I bought people tuna today, and it's only $.91 for a 7 oz can compared to $.56 for a 3 oz can of FF. I gave both cats some. They liked it!

Yes, Dusty seems to be a competitive eater. She does have CRF and is on Calcitriol 2 X a week. She won't eat any of the prescription food, so I've decided that quality is better than quantity when it comes to her life epectancy. I think she has put on some weight since we got Squeak, but she is still skinny.

The reason for the dry food is so they will have something to snack on at night and they don't wake me up at 3 am begging for food.

Thanks for the information regarding how much each should eat. That is a big help. Will buy some cheaper wet food on the next shopping trip.
 

strange_wings

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Poor girl.
You have one advantage with trying foods on her now - if she won't it it Squeak probably will.
 
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dusty's mom

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Poor girl.
You have one advantage with trying foods on her now - if she won't it it Squeak probably will.
You got that right! Squeak likes anything!
 

darlili

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I'm not sure, but I think people tuna isn't good for long term maintenance feeding. Trader Joe has a wet tuna food that is AAFCO certified for maintenance, if you have one around your house - very good prices on their wet food, if they work for you.

My girl would like to live on people roast turkey and chicken - much more popular than any of the cat foods.
 

sweetkara

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Mine split a 5.5 oz can in the morning and another at dinner time- so they each get 5.5 oz/day.

They are both a good weight.
 
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