Recent increase in appetite

Our cats have been asking for more food lately. I can understand why caloric needs might increase in the winter, but our cats stay indoors where it's nice and warm, so I don't know why their appetite has increased.

It's not just the amount of food; it's also the type. I give them canned food twice a day and dry food all day long. A few months ago I tried them on some lower-fat dry food. They seemed to like it just fine, but now they ignore it and wait for the full-fat canned food. 

Is this normal? I'm wondering if I should revert to the regular dry food--or even a higher-fat type--for the winter months.

Janet

Is there some reason you put them on lower fat food? 

It's odd, but even though we have our heater set at the same temp all winter long, some days it just feels colder inside...is it the same at your house?  And I would definitely think cats would need a higher fat food in winter if the temp is kept lower than in the summer.  For example, we keep our house at 80 F in the spring, summer and fall, and 70 F in the winter.  That's a big difference (to me anyway...I have to wear socks and a sweater inside all winter )

So, back to your original question.  Are you saying they still have their low fat kibble available to them but are not eating it, but they ARE eating canned and seem to want more of that?  Why not just feed them more canned and not give them any kibble?  What's your goal here?  Feeding all canned is probably more healthy than giving them both, and it sounds like you're wasting money by offering the kibble anyway, if I'm reading this correctly. 

I switched their dry food to "indoor formula" because the veterinarian noted that, at 15.8 pounds, Mikey was overweight. But I've always given them both dry food and canned, because Gina prefers dry and doesn't eat at regular times. Also, our last vet had strongly recommended dry food over canned (unfortunately, I didn't ask why). 

Given that Mikey has been neutered, I wonder if it is futile trying to get his weight down. Don't they neuter bulls because it makes them put on weight?

Janet

Cutting out the free feeding is the first step for kitty weight loss. Can't lose weight with a bowl of crunchies right in front of you all day long! :tongue2: Yes, neutered males need fewer calories but that doesn't mean they're destined to be fat. Careful feeding and sufficient exercise is important for weight control no matter what.

First thing--fat doesn't make cats fat. Sounds silly but it's true. Cats need fat. Carbs are what make cats fat. . .in the wild they eat almost no carbs. So high protein, high(ish) fat, low carb is the cat weight loss recipe (pretty much opposite of most "weight loss" cat foods! ). Canned foods are usually higher in protein and fat and lower in carbs, plus the extra water in canned food can help keep their urinary system and kidneys healthy. Cats will eat until they satisfy their nutritional needs, so if the food doesn't have enough fat they might keep eating until they do get enough. Plus I think everybody eats more in the winter :lol3:.