Newbie here, hi! My 7-yr-old male tabby (an only cat) was overweight on dry food and has been totally transitioned to wet food for the past 18 months. Yay! He lost 4 lbs in the first four months and has maintained, but is very food-obsessed...he must still remember his free-feeding days. I really don't know how much he needs to be both healthy and satisfied (and of course happy). I give him about 8 to 9 ounces of protein-first, poultry-based grain-free canned food a day, divided into 2-oz portions. He still seems to crave more to the point of nipping my heels to remind me he's nearing starvation. In reality, he's not losing weight (he's a hearty 14 lbs which he carries well) but I wonder if the quantity is right....or if it should be adjusted. He's a totally indoor cat.....and not particularly responsive to active play periods that last longer than a couple of minutes at a time ( although he's very agile.) He does, in fact, have lots of room in the house to wander and explore, and he does this.
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How much wet food is right?
- Thread starter tyra
- Start Date
Congratulations on trimming kitty down!
The rule of the thumb is around 20 calories per pound per day. So at 14 pounds, 280 calories should do it. Can you name the brand of food he's getting? Most canned food is around 165 calories for a 5.5 oz. can, but some brands such as Weruva are only around 80 calories for 5.5 oz., and others like Wellness come in at 215 calories for the same 5.5 oz. Amount of carbs will make a difference, too. Wet food in general is better, but some wet foods are much higher in carbs than others. Grain-free does not necessarily mean carb free, as potatoes are not grain. Ironically, weight loss foods are high in carbs! In general, stew-style foods will be lower in calories and higher in water content.
The rule of the thumb is around 20 calories per pound per day. So at 14 pounds, 280 calories should do it. Can you name the brand of food he's getting? Most canned food is around 165 calories for a 5.5 oz. can, but some brands such as Weruva are only around 80 calories for 5.5 oz., and others like Wellness come in at 215 calories for the same 5.5 oz. Amount of carbs will make a difference, too. Wet food in general is better, but some wet foods are much higher in carbs than others. Grain-free does not necessarily mean carb free, as potatoes are not grain. Ironically, weight loss foods are high in carbs! In general, stew-style foods will be lower in calories and higher in water content.
sometimes the stew or gravy type wet has wheat gluten avoid wet with wheat gluten.
and I agree with raintyger some wets has more calories then others
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
He gets an assortment: Wellness Turkey Formula (Grain Free) which is 219 calories for 5.5 oz, Organix Grain Free Shredded Chicken Recipe, which is only 138 calories for 5.5 oz, and (don't gasp) Purina One Smart Blend Classic Turkey Recipe (pate, no gravy), 95 calories for 3 oz. These are alternated and/or combined to make up 8-9 ounces a day (this because he clearly prefers variety and I want to be reasonably sure he's getting a decent balanced diet overall). I realize now that his caloric intake is not too steady!
I give him treats sparingly, mostly NV Instinct Raw Boost bites, 2 calories each, no more than 3 or 4 a day if at all. I'm also trying out a few pieces of a kibble formula occasionally as a play motivator. (This seems to have a good effect.)
I feed him about six sevings a day. The timing of his meals is dependent on various things, but he doesn't go too many hours without a serving. I try not to feed him on demand, but since he's usually demanding something, he probably thinks he's won when he's fed! Btw, he never leaves food 'for later' or very very seldom.
I agree that knowing exactly how many calories he's getting, as opposed to ounces of food, is what will help his weight loss continue. Dr. Pierson has good info on her website about feline obesity: http://catinfo.org/?link=felineobesity
Provided there isn't any medical reason to be feeding him small meals frequently, I would be inclined to try giving him larger meals, less often. Perhaps a morning breakfast, late afternoon or evening dinner, and then a snack of just an ounce or so before you go to bed for the night. Maybe having a greater sense of fullness a couple times per day, could prove beneficial. Cats are picky, so he may be disgruntled for a bit if you do decide to give it a try. But if he's otherwise a healthy cat, giving him larger meals spaced further apart should not do him any harm...and eventually they do adjust (as you've already seen, making the switch from dry to wet). I think with frequent feeding, a cat is always thinking about the next meal... spacing things out a bit further, might help him focus less on the food, because less of his day will revolve around it.
Provided there isn't any medical reason to be feeding him small meals frequently, I would be inclined to try giving him larger meals, less often. Perhaps a morning breakfast, late afternoon or evening dinner, and then a snack of just an ounce or so before you go to bed for the night. Maybe having a greater sense of fullness a couple times per day, could prove beneficial. Cats are picky, so he may be disgruntled for a bit if you do decide to give it a try. But if he's otherwise a healthy cat, giving him larger meals spaced further apart should not do him any harm...and eventually they do adjust (as you've already seen, making the switch from dry to wet). I think with frequent feeding, a cat is always thinking about the next meal... spacing things out a bit further, might help him focus less on the food, because less of his day will revolve around it.
I was asking what brand because sometimes if you stick to one a cat can act like that
This is what i do when I feed wet only for a day or so i'm going to start my cats soon on a wet diet when there dry runs out which is soon
This is a aproximent amonth I feed my 13lb cat if i do wet only
Am 3oz wet
Afternoon 2oz wet with a little bit of treats or dry
Pm night 3-4 oz wet
This seems to satisfy brandons hunger and I do a variety my self
This is what i do when I feed wet only for a day or so i'm going to start my cats soon on a wet diet when there dry runs out which is soon
This is a aproximent amonth I feed my 13lb cat if i do wet only
Am 3oz wet
Afternoon 2oz wet with a little bit of treats or dry
Pm night 3-4 oz wet
This seems to satisfy brandons hunger and I do a variety my self
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Congratulations on successfully transitioning your kitty to wet canned from the dry food! ...
I am thinking that he may not be feeling satisfied with the lower calorie foods such as the Organix and Purina One. Its good to feed a variety of grain-free wet canned that is reasonable in calories, but you want to ensure that there is high protein and sufficient fat content as this is what provides the most nutrients that he will benefit from. I would agree with the suggestion to go with larger meals, 3 times per day rather than six which increases the portion to a little over 2 ounces, and see if this can help to make him feel more satisfied between meals.
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #9
I want to thank everyone for their wonderful advice and information. Especially nice was the truly encouraging tone, as we all know that our cats dislike changes to their diets (unless it's MORE food). My cat experienced his first day yesterday with bigger portions and fewer feedings. And yes, we didn't have the best day. He was clearly annoyed, bordering on angry, even though I'm doing it gradually (5 servings down from 6, to start). I'm also looking into different brands of canned food, those with more reasonable calorie counts per can with more nutrients to satisfy him. It seems to be an endless quest! He is so very picky, of course, and getting to where we are now took a lot of tossed cans and shopping trips. And compromises. 
eventually you'll find the right portion wet brands schedule on him that will work and do you have neighbors that have cats? if he wont eat a certain brand and you have thous cans left that is unopened you can give your neighbor the cans he wont eat I gave my neighbor a lot of cat litter I wont use due to family allergy lol
