self feed or not. That is the question

I've just been keeping Comet's dry food dish full, letting him eat when he's hungry. I'm hearing from some people saying that I should dish out his food. 1/4 cup twice a day. FYI he gets 1/4 can of wet cat food in the morning.

I do notice Comet looking a little pudgy, so I've been exercising him daily chasing the ball, blowing bubbles (he tries to catch them.) the red laser pointer etc. 

But about the food? What do others here do? 

Comet is 9 months and last vet appointment (a month ago) he weighed in at 9.2 lbs. I really don't want a fat cat. I'm trying to keep him active and playful. It's just that 1/4 cup of dry food isn't that much and I don't want him to go hungry.

Thanks in advance

Laura - owned by Comet 

What we do is only put the recommended feeding amount in the bowl for the day. So we don't fill it again even if they eat it all. They get half the food in the morning and half at night. 

I'm not sure what to do in your case since your cat is still a kitten. I now the general rule with kittens is to let them eat as much as they like. can you post a current picture so we can see what you mean by pudgy. 

I'll post one after work today. My neighbor doesn't think he's pudgy at all, maybe I'm paranoid. My neighbor's cat weighs 30 pounds, he can barely walk. His tummy drags on the ground. I don't want Comet to turn out like that. But she feeds him nothing but table scraps and about 25 Temptation treats per day. She doesn't even buy cat food anymore.

Laura - owned by Comet (9 months)

At 9 months its absolutely fine (and sometimes necessary) to curb a cat's food intake a little. I'm not suggesting a weight reducing plan (I would never put a kitten of any age on a diet without veterinary advice), but its fine to stop free feeding and switch to timed meals only. If you're concerned that the dry food ration looks a little mean, you can could always feed a higher proportion of wet to dry. Because the wet food already contains moisture the serving size is much bigger (and probably more filling). Another option would be to put some or all of his kibble ration into a treat ball so he has to work for his food. That way he'll get exercise, stimulation and food in one fell swoop! That's got to be a good thing! :nod:

The last thing I'd say is it's a good idea to take extra steps to ensure good hydration when feeding kibble. Cats don't have a strong enough thirst drive to compensate for the lack of moisture unless you make it interesting for them! One easy way is to make flavoured water that you can serve as a broth (the liquid from poaching chicken is a big hit in this house). This has the added advantage of feeling like a treat/extra snack to your cat, so helping him register when he's eaten enough food.

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I just purchased a slow-feed bowl for my juvies.  They are 9 ½ months old.  I did this mostly because the male, Desi, liked to scarf down his dry food and then throw it up.   The female, Lucy, is a much better eater.   That being said, Lucy figured out how to get the kibble out almost immediately, Desi still doesn't quite get it.  (Leave to the female to figure things out!)   He does have a method, and that is to sit next to Lucy and eat the kibble she pulls out for herself.   Too funny.

I have had these furballs since the beginning of June and have always kept a constant supply of kitten kibble in their bowl.  I have been giving them a dish of wet food in the morning which they aren't that keen about but will usually break down and eat at some point in time.  I am now starting to limit the endless meal and just use the slow feed bowl now that they are getting used to it.  I am going to continue to monitor their weight as I don't want them to lose any at their age.  

I am not too concerned about their eating kibble as they do drink a lot of water.