Should I give in?

My baby, who we adopted a few days ago, keeps begging for more food even though we feed her once in the morning and once in the afternoon. She eats Friskies 5 oz. wet can food. I read that adult cats should eat 1 5oz can a day. So we're already feeding her too much.

But if she cries for it, should I give it to her because she's hungry? I'm afraid she will become overweight.

How old is she?

We don't know exactly. Probably 2 to 4. 

One 5.5oz can a day doesn't seem like it'd be enough, maybe for a small cat. Granted I don't feed an all canned diet. She may be used to having food all the time and adjusting to schedulled feeding may just take some time. Also some cats are just pigs and want food even when they don't need it. I'd say keep feeding her the amount you are currently and just watch her weight. If she seems to lose some add more food, if she gains cut back. It will take time to figure out the exact amount she needs.

If you're wondering how much to feed your cat this article should help, http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-much-food-should-i-feed-my-cat

Also in the article it states that average cats should eat about one 5 oz can of food a day. But have you considered buying a grain free premium food or at least fancy feast classics which are grain free and very inexpensive. Because cats need meat to survive, they are obligate carnivores it is best consider buying grain free food.

However I have to admit my family and I struggle with the same problem because we have three cats and one who is a pig we often feed more so that everyone gets the nutrition they need but over feeding my cats is my nightmare because I would hate to make them obese.

On average a cat will eat 4-6 oz. of wet food per day. However, brands that are lower in protein might not leave them nutritionally satisfied and therefore hungry. Friskies, if it is the pate kind, is not a bad budget choice, but there are much higher quality brands. Lower quality foods tend to have more filler which just means more poop and more litter box cleaning.

Where did she come from? Try contacting the previous owner or shelter and ask if they know how much of what she was eating and if she was maintaining, losing, or gaining weight. Compare the calories to what you're feeding her.

SmartyFOJ said:

If you're wondering how much to feed your cat this article should help, http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-much-food-should-i-feed-my-cat

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I also suggest you check out that article as well. 

Raintyger said:

Where did she come from? Try contacting the previous owner or shelter and ask if they know how much of what she was eating and if she was maintaining, losing, or gaining weight. Compare the calories to what you're feeding her.

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This is great advice ^

Actually, since you just adopted her you'll need to take her to the vet. Once you take her to the vet you can rule out any medical issues and probably get better insight on how old she is and how much she should eat/weigh. 

Otherwise, all the advice given here so far is good stuff.

I think barring any medical issues this is probably more behavioral.  She may have had a time in her past where a meal was hard to come by so now she is obsessed with getting as much food as possible.  I know that is seen in rescued dogs a lot.  In dogs unfortunately it often shows up as food guarding.  In dogs if the behavior can't be corrected it severely restricts the homes they can be adopted out to, only homes with experienced dog handlers and no children.  Many shelters that don't try to evaluate or work with a dog simply euthanize dogs with this behavior.

Is she spayed? Intact cats need more calories. Also, which flavor of Friskies? They're pretty consistent calorie-wise but there is some variation. You might also try splitting her daily rations into 3 meals a day so she doesn't get too hungry in between.