Switching cat to canned food only - not eating enough?

ruaryx · Dec 1, 2014

Hello, I have been feeding my 8 year old, slightly overweight female cat a canned food only diet for about two months now. I know I should be feeding her about 2-3 cans a day (depending on the size of the can) according to her weight. However she never seems to eat that much. I have to feed her very small frequent meals, otherwise she eats too fast and throws up. Anyways, she will stop eating before she has finished the recommended amount per day. Is this normal? I have read that cats tend to eat less when fed only canned since it is more nutrient dense, however she is only eating about 1 to 1 1/2 cans per day. She seems healthy and hasn't been losing weight.

I used to free feed her grain-free, high quality dry food. I got worried about her weight and started putting in only the recommended amount per day. However she never even finishes the per day amount so she can't be overeating. Why is she so chubby? (She is about 10-12 lbs and looks chubby according to charts like this: http://burnspet.co.uk/assets/images/gallery/condition charts/Dog-&-cat-body-condition-chart-1.png). She plays a moderate amount, has a healthy appetite, has to walk up and down stairs etc.

stephenq · Dec 1, 2014

Ruaryx said:
Hello, I have been feeding my 8 year old, slightly overweight female cat a canned food only diet for about two months now. I know I should be feeding her about 2-3 cans a day (depending on the size of the can) according to her weight. However she never seems to eat that much. I have to feed her very small frequent meals, otherwise she eats too fast and throws up. Anyways, she will stop eating before she has finished the recommended amount per day. Is this normal? I have read that cats tend to eat less when fed only canned since it is more nutrient dense, however she is only eating about 1 to 1 1/2 cans per day. She seems healthy and hasn't been losing weight.

I used to free feed her grain-free, high quality dry food. I got worried about her weight and started putting in only the recommended amount per day. However she never even finishes the per day amount so she can't be overeating. Why is she so chubby? (She is about 10-12 lbs and looks chubby according to charts like this: http://burnspet.co.uk/assets/images/gallery/condition charts/Dog-&-cat-body-condition-chart-1.png). She plays a moderate amount, has a healthy appetite, has to walk up and down stairs etc.

I think cat food companies recommend too much food. A standard 5.5oz can per day is often enough for many cats, more than enough for some. If you want her to lose a little weight, it sounds like she is self-monitoring. The fastest way to track weight changes is to buy a basic baby scale like this one:

chromium blues · Dec 1, 2014

Any guide - whether your feeding top of the line food like Royal Canin or bottom of the barrel food like Iams - can be off by as much as fifty percent. You really have to judge by your cat's age and activity level and adjust it accordingly. If your cat needs to be on a diet, try asking your veterinarian how many calories he needs each day to lose the weight but be healthy, and then you'll have a good guide, no matter what you feed.

ruaryx · Dec 2, 2014

Thanks for the advice!!

lisahe · Dec 3, 2014

I agree with @StephenQ about one 5.5 ounce can a day generally being enough, particularly if it's a higher-calorie pate food instead of a lower-calorie shred food. You're very lucky your cat is self-monitoring, @Ruaryx! Good luck!

raintyger · Dec 3, 2014

About one to one and a half 5.5-oz can of wet food per day is about average, with the average calories being 165.

Try putting a billiard ball in the bowl to slow down her eating.

ruaryx · Dec 3, 2014

Thanks, guys. Good to know that it is normal. If Sasha self-monitors then why is she still chubby? Also, @Raintyger I have put balls in her bowl of dry food to slow her down. Will it work for canned food? I do mash the food flat and thin all over the plate so that she will have to lick it off instead of gobbling it down. However she will still throw up if the amount is more than a few tablespoons.

Finally, I was wondering if you guys saw any physical signs of health benefits when you started feeding canned only? Sasha seems to look the same. I know it's only been a few months, but I guess I'm impatient. Thanks!

lokhismom · Dec 3, 2014

You should exercise her too. Buy a interactive toy which you can have her run after. I use the DaBird. My kitty loves it and will run till he is panting trying to catch it.

raintyger · Dec 4, 2014

Ruaryx said:
Thanks, guys. Good to know that it is normal. If Sasha self-monitors then why is she still chubby? Also, @Raintyger I have put balls in her bowl of dry food to slow her down. Will it work for canned food? I do mash the food flat and thin all over the plate so that she will have to lick it off instead of gobbling it down. However she will still throw up if the amount is more than a few tablespoons.

Finally, I was wondering if you guys saw any physical signs of health benefits when you started feeding canned only? Sasha seems to look the same. I know it's only been a few months, but I guess I'm impatient. Thanks!

I've never had to actually do the billiard ball trick, so I don't know if there's a wet vs. dry difference. It should work, though. All the ball is doing is making an obstacle so that kitty has to work her way around the food and can't just stuff her face.

I would buy a baby scale and see if she's lost weight, then you can see progress and know if she's getting non-visible health benefits like lower blood pressure. My kitty also stopped drinking water from the bowl when I put her on 100% wet. If they stop drinking from the bowl that mean they're adequately hydrated.

ruaryx · Dec 29, 2014

Just an update. I took Sasha to the vet and they said that she is about 1.5 pounds overweight, total of 9.9 pounds. She should be eating about 185 calories a day, which I calculated to be about a 5.5 oz can of the brand that I am currently feeding, so you guys were right! Thanks again for taking the time to answer.

karma2222 · Dec 29, 2014

if she is still losing weight then she is still eating enough to sustain her weight and you can cut back the food even more. There are small sizes puzzle feeders you could use - one looks like a grass mat they have to eat around, although it would be a little more work to wash.... wow the 5.5oz explanation fully explains why my new cat doesn't seem to be eating anything at all. I'm use to my 7 year old cat when I can keep him at his proper weight without getting skinny is a full 13oz can of food (size of a soup can). He is also on one of the highest quality brands - natures variety instinct.

ruaryx · Dec 29, 2014

Karma2222 said:
if she is still losing weight then she is still eating enough to sustain her weight and you can cut back the food even more. There are small sizes puzzle feeders you could use - one looks like a grass mat they have to eat around, although it would be a little more work to wash.... wow the 5.5oz explanation fully explains why my new cat doesn't seem to be eating anything at all. I'm use to my 7 year old cat when I can keep him at his proper weight without getting skinny is a full 13oz can of food (size of a soup can). He is also on one of the highest quality brands - natures variety instinct.

It's super surprising the difference from how much a cat is supposed to eat versus the can directions! I never realized how inaccurate they were. Also, I wanted to clarify that the 185 calories was not to maintain her 9.9 body weight, but for her to lose weight and maintain an ideal 8.5 pounds. :]

It's funny how Sasha is overweight but I still have to entice her to eat the full can.

Switching cat to canned food only - not eating enough?

ruaryx

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stephenq

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chromium blues

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ruaryx

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lisahe

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raintyger

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ruaryx

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lokhismom

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raintyger

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ruaryx

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karma2222

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ruaryx

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