We have 2 cats. A male who is 16lbs, 6 years old and a female who is 14lbs, 8 years old. For the most part they get along. We feed them a 1/2 cup of dry Science Diet in the morning and when we get home around 5pm, another 1/2 cup dry. The problem appears to be when one day my wife decided to give them a "few kernels" at night before bed time (usually around 9pm). Yes, they have their own room and after the kernel feeding, their door closes and you hear nothing from them until morning. Nice huh? Well, the issue is that the male anticipates the kernel feeding an hour to an hour and a half too early. He'll sit at the top of the steps and meow for his anticipated kernel feeding. My guess is my wife should've never started this, but for now, the damage is done. Is it possible to NOT give the kernel feeding anymore and just "put them to bed". I'm sure I'll hear him "howling" behind the door and suspect that eventually he'll stop. But at what price? A month or two? Is it fair for him/them?
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Always Hungry
- Thread starter thewheel
- Start Date
Is there any particular reason you feed them certain amounts at certain times? For instance, have you been instructed by your vet to lower the amount of food due to your kitty needing to lose weight?
If not, a good rule of thumb is to just be sure the bowls are always full. Kitties have a great propensity for only eating what they need, even if it seems like they're eating a lot. For instance, our Hobbes eats a little about every fifteen minutes, but he's a very healthy 15lb almost 2yr old. Whereas, our Sunny girl eats a lot about every hour, and is a slightly plump (not unhealthy weight, just in between growing phases) 9lbs. (Our kitties are from the same litter, so thus are the same age.)
If you're concerned about weight, but have not been instructed by your vet to decrease feeding amounts, you should consider switching to a food that is designed for overweight cats. I would sugest browsing the catfood aisle at the petstore to see what Iams and such have for such things.
I say all this because it sounds like your sweeties aren't getting enough food. I've never recommended limiting the amount of food a kitty receives (unless, obviously, your vet has given you a diet plan for each kitty), as you cannot accurately tell if they're getting enough. Kitties each eat different amounts in different frequencies, and as I said, 99% of the time will only eat what they need.
I hope that helps. If there's anything you could add that I missed or don't understand, feel free!
Otherwise, please consider lifting the restrictions you've put on their food. There's nothing sadder to me than a kitty who's being food-restricted that really doesn't need it or just isn't getting enough to eat because of it.
If not, a good rule of thumb is to just be sure the bowls are always full. Kitties have a great propensity for only eating what they need, even if it seems like they're eating a lot. For instance, our Hobbes eats a little about every fifteen minutes, but he's a very healthy 15lb almost 2yr old. Whereas, our Sunny girl eats a lot about every hour, and is a slightly plump (not unhealthy weight, just in between growing phases) 9lbs. (Our kitties are from the same litter, so thus are the same age.)
If you're concerned about weight, but have not been instructed by your vet to decrease feeding amounts, you should consider switching to a food that is designed for overweight cats. I would sugest browsing the catfood aisle at the petstore to see what Iams and such have for such things.
I say all this because it sounds like your sweeties aren't getting enough food. I've never recommended limiting the amount of food a kitty receives (unless, obviously, your vet has given you a diet plan for each kitty), as you cannot accurately tell if they're getting enough. Kitties each eat different amounts in different frequencies, and as I said, 99% of the time will only eat what they need.
I hope that helps. If there's anything you could add that I missed or don't understand, feel free!
Otherwise, please consider lifting the restrictions you've put on their food. There's nothing sadder to me than a kitty who's being food-restricted that really doesn't need it or just isn't getting enough to eat because of it.
My cat has a full food bowl at all hours of the day. She is a healthy weight and never has to cry for food.
I would suggest getting a dry cat food for overweight cats and letting them have a fullbowl all day long. That way they can eat when they are hungry. Unlike dogs, cats will usually only eat what they need!
I would suggest getting a dry cat food for overweight cats and letting them have a fullbowl all day long. That way they can eat when they are hungry. Unlike dogs, cats will usually only eat what they need!
Hi, I disagree that they won't overeat if left to themselves, but I also think yours aren't getting enough. My 3 (who weigh 8-12 lbs), get 2 good sized (heaping-ish) tablespoons of canned food PLUS some dry food in the a.m., another similar meal at 3-4 pm, and snax in the evening. I've never had an o-wt. cat, but I don't leave food out all day either. I wait til they have their fill, put dishes away and 15-20 mins.later they get the rest and usually finish it. If a bunch of food is left in a bowl, I either put it away (dry) or chuck it (wet), but that rarely happens.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Yes, the vet said to reduce their food intake. The boy and girl used to be 18/16lbs respectively. Like I said, they're now 16/14lbs. But, I bought a feeder yesterday and keep it in the basement so it's going to be always available. The boy thinks its Christmas, but I think once he realizes that the feeder is here to stay, he'll settle down. I think they WERE hungry before so its actually amazing how GOOD they actually were.
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