How much to feed?

I adopted my cat from the local spca, and she is 2 years old and was about 7 pounds when I got her. I was wondering how much I should be feeding her every day. I tried leaving food out for her to eat throughout the day like I did with my other cat (who lives at my mom's house) but she eats everything in one sitting. To the point where my roommate and I were worried about her because her belly was huge! I just want to make sure she is getting enough food.

I for got to say that she is a very small cat for 2 years old. the vet said her weight was fine when I got her.

Hello and welcome to TCS. It is very important that you not only feed the right foods to your cat, but int he correct amount. Here is a good website with some basic principles of feeding.

http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FEEDING YOUR CAT 8-10 Long 2-12-10.pdf

On amounts, most catfoods have the recommended amount per meal on the label, related to the weight of the cat. A seven pound cat is around average weight, maybe a little above. I would feed a little under the recommended amounts to start with, vary the flavours, and you will quickly find out how you need to adjust the meals to keep her healthy and avoid waste. Adult cats can usually be fed just twice a day, unless they are sick. Ask your vet if you are in doubt, but remember that many vets are not fully trained in all aspects of feline nutrition, and many will only recommend the foods htat they themselves sell.

We have people here who are more expert than me, and I am sure someone will come along with more advice.

Welcome to TCS Usually kittens should eat about 25 calories per pound or more and you have to keep a watch on body condition and add more food according to their growing spurts. Adult cats do quite well with 20 calories per pound. For weight loss - 15 calories per pound. NOW of course this depends on what type of food you are feeding. A higher quality grain-free food you would need less than a low quality grocery store food. Just check the bag for calories per cup - or on the wet food cans - the caloric content.

I would also suggest getting a stool sample checked because you mention about the big belly - just make sure she doesn't have any parasites that would be effecting her health. Good luck and keep us posted

Hi !  It's good to see another new face on TCS First off I agree with Feral about the test.  A big belly could indicate something other than just a big feed.  The best advice I can give you is that your cat obviously is used to eating on a scheduled feeding routine or is possibly just a little piggy I would put her on a feeding schedule rather than freed feed her.  Maybe twice a day.  As far as how much, every cat is different.  I would start out with what the manufacturer says on the bag for your 7 lb baby.  Maybe a little bit less to see how it goes.  Then increase it if needed.  Manufacturers information on the bag are guidelines in my opinion.  I have 4 cats and nothing is written in stone when it comes to the amount any of them eat.  Kind of a trial and error thing with each one of them when I first adopted them.  Best of luck to you and your new baby. 

I would agree that a feeding schedule is your best bet. Some kitties can be free fed and won't over eat, and some will just eat everything in one sitting. With my boy, he gets some wet food in the morning and at night and dry food is free fed (he won't eat it all in one sitting). I at first followed the guidelines on the bag of the bag, and then after a few weeks was able to adjust it after seeing how much he ate. 

Hi, Suzue! Welcome to TCS!

Congratulations on your new kitty!   Like many others have said, scheduled feeding is healthier for your cat. If you can, three times a day is much better then two (and four better yet, but is difficult to do for most) - studies from the National Research Council have shown that cats eat many small meals a day, so the more closely you can emulate that, the healthier it'll be for your new bundle of joy.  :-}

And, as Jenny mentions - what you feed them is very important, too; more important, even, than how often! CatInfo.org is a great place to start learning about kitty nutritional needs. Another site just chock full of good information is Feline-Nutrition.org.

Best regards! And welcome once again!

AC