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Am I feeding enough?

post #1 of 6
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone,

We have two cats, a 14 month-old neutered male and a 4 or 5 year-old spayed female. They're both indoors-only; he's incredibly active and she's become more active now that he's sort of forced her to.

The last time I took them to the vet, Lily was overweight (11 pounds on a frame the vet said should be 10 or even 9.5). Their annual appointments will be in a month, but I'm trying to determine now whether she's *too* skinny -- her waist is pretty tucked, and I don't feel fat over the ribs. Unless you're supposed to barely feel it?

Right now, Roger is probably about 9 or 10 pounds. He's a DLH, but I think he's about the right weight. They both get 1/4 of a 5.6 ounce can of wet food in the mornings and either 1/4 cup dry or 2 raw medallions at night -- I alternate evenings between dry and raw for reasons too complicated to go into. Lily's currently on a prescription venison-and-green pea for food allergy testing, and I've just introduced a little raw to see how she does now that she's been on the limited diet for three months (it does seem to have helped her hair loss). Roger's on all rabbit, Nature's Variety, though he occasionally gets other kinds of premium wet (mostly Evo and NV).

I have absolutely no idea if I should try to boost Lily's food intake a little, or if I'm just not used to her looking like she's supposed to! Thanks in advance for your help. I really, really appreciate it!
post #2 of 6
IMO I would give 1/2 the can and a 1/4 of dry to each cat. Are they still acting like their hungry?
post #3 of 6
Thread Starter 
They always act hungry -- but one of the two will eat a cup or more if we let him. I'll experiment with your suggestion and see how it goes. Thanks!
post #4 of 6
My cat was 10 lbs when I took her for a checkup in May, 1-1.5 lbs overweight. I was feeding 1/3 cup of dry in the morning and 1/4 of a can of wet at night. My vet suggested that I reduce the amount of dry to 1/4 cup. I did, and when I brought her in last week for a weigh in she had lost 3.2 ounces. Small, but noticeable progress.
She acted hungry at first but now seems fine with the amount of food she gets. Just my experience, for what it's worth.
post #5 of 6
The most commonly recommended method of judging your cat's weight is to first view her ribs, then rub your hands across them. If you can feel her ribs but you can't see them, the cat's at a good weight.

Sounds to me, with your "barely feel it" in reference to fat over the ribs, that you've done a great job getting Lily to a healthier weight.

(And major kudos to you for acknowledging the benefits of raw. )
post #6 of 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by seattleeco View Post
Hi everyone,

We have two cats, a 14 month-old neutered male and a 4 or 5 year-old spayed female. They're both indoors-only; he's incredibly active and she's become more active now that he's sort of forced her to.

The last time I took them to the vet, Lily was overweight (11 pounds on a frame the vet said should be 10 or even 9.5). Their annual appointments will be in a month, but I'm trying to determine now whether she's *too* skinny -- her waist is pretty tucked, and I don't feel fat over the ribs. Unless you're supposed to barely feel it?

Right now, Roger is probably about 9 or 10 pounds. He's a DLH, but I think he's about the right weight. They both get 1/4 of a 5.6 ounce can of wet food in the mornings and either 1/4 cup dry or 2 raw medallions at night -- I alternate evenings between dry and raw for reasons too complicated to go into. Lily's currently on a prescription venison-and-green pea for food allergy testing, and I've just introduced a little raw to see how she does now that she's been on the limited diet for three months (it does seem to have helped her hair loss). Roger's on all rabbit, Nature's Variety, though he occasionally gets other kinds of premium wet (mostly Evo and NV).

I have absolutely no idea if I should try to boost Lily's food intake a little, or if I'm just not used to her looking like she's supposed to! Thanks in advance for your help. I really, really appreciate it!
Sounds about right as most raw foods have far more calories than their wet or dry counterparts ( oz for oz )... My Motto is When is Doubt ask the VET as they are the ones trained in wt management ...
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