Hi, the quick rundown is about a month ago we took in a stray cat, got him back to healthy proportions and is aged at about 3 months and growing fast. I noticed yesterday that our baby is eating like it's about to go out of style and an getting a bloated belly after he inhales his food. For the first 3 weeks he ate a bit here and a bit there. Now it's like a race and meows for more. So now the question is...is he too young to get set feedings? If it helps, he was on Friskies dry food for kittens and just recently (as in yesterday) started the transition to Evo Kitten and Cat (dry) and we got him Best Feline Friend (wet) but I haven't given the wet to him yet because of this. Any insight?
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Kitten to cat? How much to feed?
- Thread starter aycee
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Without making a recommendation, I will tell you what we do. We have three cats, and 3 bowls. We give them about ½ cup of dry food twice a day. Actually, feeding twice a day, even amounts that may not be that much depends on age and activity level of the cat. You might start out a little less and see how that fares.
Without making a recommendation, I will tell you what we do. We have three cats, and 3 bowls. We give them about ½ cup of dry food twice a day. Actually, feeding twice a day, even amounts that may not be that much depends on age and activity level of the cat. You might start out a little less and see how that fares.
You are supposed to free feed kittens, by kitten I mean still growing - usually abt 1 yr old.
The bloated stomach makes me wonder if you've had the kitten dewormed.
The bloated stomach makes me wonder if you've had the kitten dewormed.
I'd love a reference for that one. You're supposed to let kittens eat as much as they want to, but I'm not at all clear on the free-feeding part. In fact, there are a lot of reasons not to let them free feed, especially if they're already on a schedule, and it has to do with the physiology of cats and their digestive systems.
Aw, thanks for rescuing this baby!
:heart2: Take lots of pictures, because they DO grow up SO fast!!!! Has he been to the vet? Was he treated for worms? If so, now that he's been with you about a month, have you treated him again for them? If he was living outside, he most likely has them. And the way internal parasites work is that the de-wormers given by vets only kill the adult worms (or the larvae, but not the eggs). So another dose of de-wormer has to be given in three weeks - and it's best to do a final follow-up another three weeks later, JUST to make sure you don't have ongoing issues. :nod:
WONDERFUL that you're transitioning him to a better quality food! I don't know if you can afford to feed only canned food, but that is best for him. I really wish I'd thought about this when our cats were babies. But cats are carnivores. And what this means is that they're designed to get all of the nutrition they need from raw meat, bones, and organs. They actually have no nutritional requirement for carbs - and they digest them inefficiently. Grains and carbohydrates are hard on them long term, contribute to obesity, and are hard on their organs. Also, cats are descended from desert animals. This means that they're designed to get all the moisture they need from the food they eat. Unlike dogs, they have no "thirst drive." There are some kibbles that are high protein, low-carb - and EVO happens to be one of those. But it still doesn't address the problem of chronic dehydration that many kibble-fed cats suffer. No doubt about it, kibble is convenient! And it's GREAT that you want to supplement it with canned food.
It's just you might want to consider that if it fits your budget and your lifestyle, an all wet food diet is best for them. :rub: (I feed my cats a raw food diet. Apart from health reasons, it worked out to be less expensive for us LOL).Here's a a great "know the basics" kind of thing on feline nutrition, written by a vet.
http://catinfo.org/And when it comes to timed meals, for young kitties, the more often you're able to feed them, the better. But two meals a day really isn't enough even for adult cats. Cats are designed to eat a number of small meals. But they do "need" that hunger "pang" to trigger gastric emptying, which is very helpful for avoiding hairball problems down the road. :nod: Given most people work, the best that works for kitties and people is usually three timed meals a day: in the morning before work, at dinner when you're home from work, and then again before bed.
Four times a day would be ideal when they're younger, so if you're not a late sleeper and in a rush in the mornings, you can feed him a morning meal when you get up, then before you leave for work, to get that fourth meal in there.
But they should definitely be allowed to eat as much as they want to at this stage. They'll go through different growth stages, spurts, lulls, etc., and once he's older and bigger, if you're feeding four meals a day, you can start to bump the amount of food at the meals, and reduce the number of meals from four to three.
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Yes that is what I meant. You are correct; I used the wrong term.
I don't agree with blanket feeding regimens. I've had cats for over 40 years...different breeds, some from kittens. I will say that some cats prefer wet food, some like dry. As for feeding times, cats will develop their own schedule along with how we provide for them. Disregarding incidents that aren't diet related our cats live 18-20 years, are well adjusted and not overweight. They have a pension for playtime, and stimulating activity.But it still doesn't address the problem of chronic dehydration that many kibble-fed cats suffer. No doubt about it, kibble is convenient! And it's GREAT that you want to supplement it with canned food.It's just you might want to consider that if it fits your budget and your lifestyle, an all wet food diet is best for them.(I feed my cats a raw food diet. Apart from health reasons, it worked out to be less expensive for us LOL).
Here's a a great "know the basics" kind of thing on feline nutrition, written by a vet.http://catinfo.org/
And when it comes to timed meals, for young kitties, the more often you're able to feed them, the better. But two meals a day really isn't enough even for adult cats. Cats are designed to eat a number of small
I'm not sure what you mean by "blanket" feeding regimens. Most cats love kibble, but using it as a primary source of nutrition long term undermines their health. Most kids love McDonalds and pizza, but it's much healthier for them to eat whole grains, fruits and salads. :dk: You say "Disregarding incidents that aren't diet related our cats live 18-20 years..." I don't even know what that means. Most of their health problems stem from their diet. :dk: Just like with our children, we can control what our cats eat, and help prevent health problems so they do live to be 18-20 years old. I suggest you read the information at the link I posted. http://www.catinfo.org
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Blanket...a statement that covers all situations. Not diet related can refer to genetics.I'm not sure what you mean by "blanket" feeding regimens. Most cats love kibble, but using it as a primary source of nutrition long term undermines their health. Most kids love McDonalds and pizza, but it's much healthier for them to eat whole grains, fruits and salads.You say "Disregarding incidents that aren't diet related our cats live 18-20 years..." I don't even know what that means. Most of their health problems stem from their diet.Just like with our children, we can control what our cats eat, and help prevent health problems so they do live to be 18-20 years old. I suggest you read the information at the link I posted. http://www.catinfo.org
:lol3: I understand the concept of "blanket" statements/regimens, etc. I didn't understand the use in this context. You're saying that you don't believe people should be recommending that feeding all wet food (or whatever) is OK? Is that what you mean? Or you mean you believe in feeding all cats a mix of wet or dry - or ???? Or let the cat take the lead? :dk: I just didn't understand what you meant TO do, how cats should be fed.
Hope that clarifies my question.
Hope that clarifies my question.
