My baby girl is getting Round!!

Little Miss Maggie in about 14 months old, I went with EVO cat and kitten food when we first adopted her. I have been measuring out her food exactly as the back of the bag tells me to. But She is becoming overweight. I was wondering of I should switch her to the new EVO weight management food. Or possibly a different brand?

She lives in a home with 4 young boys that are constantly playing with her (when she allows it) and she has to go up and down the stairs alot, so I don't think lack of exerise in the problem

The quantities on the box are just a guide line. Just cut back on her food. cut back by a tablespoon at first (it is very dangerous for cats to lose weight too quickly)

For example if you are feeding 1/2 cup, (which is usually too much food for a house cat) measure out 1/2 cup, then, using a table spoon measure, remove 1 full tablespoon of the food.

Schedule feed from the premeasured amounts.

If after a month she is still getting fatter, cut back another tablespoon.

(or switch her to a canned diet)

by the way, it would be helpful to bring her in for a check up first, or at least a weight check, so you can monitor her weight loss safely.

That is a very calorie dense food, 602 calories in a cup, so 301 calories in the half a cup you feed a day. My cats get about 200-225 calories a day, they'd be blimps on 300 calories a day. They are active males that weigh almost 10lbs.

Leslie

The above post s covered it well... Evo is Calorie dense and thus most cats need far less than most foods ( ave premium is around 400 cal per cup )

Here's another vote for switching over to a canned diet. There's almost always a better protein/carb/calorie scenario in wet versus dry, and, just as importantly, cats process calories differently from different sources. Calories from protein are converted easily to energy, calories from carbs, not so much. (Also, obesity is far from the only issue caused by dry kibble. Google "the dangers of dry foods".)

Just a quick tip you may already be familiar with - weigh Miss Maggie at the same time of day each time you weigh her. Also, whichever plan you decide upon, weigh her weekly to make sure she's not losing weight too quickly.... hmm, I think she shouldn't lose more than a pound or two a month, or, not more than one quarter to one half a pound a week (2 to 4 ounces).

Actually, scratch that. Since Maggie's still a young kitty, I might actually judge the effectiveness of the diet by her body feel rather than look for a drop on the scale. I know that my cats continued to gain weight well after their first year, and then put on some noticeable muscle mass after transitioning to a raw diet. You should be able to feel Maggie's ribs, but not see them.

Good luck! Overweight kitties are susceptible to all the same diseases we are, so it's good that you are trying to catch this before it gets out of hand!

By the way, welcome to the forum, MaggiesMomma!

I say cut back on the food... If you can afford, feed more wet, less dry... But always be aware that the QTY on the Package is a guideline, and usually is way more than needed.

My vet always says: If the kitty is skinny, feed more; if kitty is fat, feed less - listen to the kitty, instead to the food package.

Cats need in average 20-30 calories per pound of weight a day, so, for example:

I use the following guideline: 20 calories per pound to lose weight; 25 to maintain, and 30 to gain.

So just multiply accordingly.... or........ You can also do this way: You can calculate according to your cat optimum weight, so say your cat's weight is 15lbs, then 15lbs x 25 cal (to maintain) = 375cal - See how much food gives this you this much calories... (Or however much is the amount for your cat's optimum weight)
Your vet is the best person to tell you your cat best weight.