I have 3 male cats, Sonny (almost 14), Max (almost 6), and Roman (almost 2). Sonny and Max are on the bigger side; Sonny is 17 lbs and my guess is Max is between 15-16 lbs. Then we have Roman, who is smaller at his age than any male cat I've had (he is neutered but did not gain much weight after he was neutered). I'm trying to develop better eating habits for the cats. Sonny has been free-fed since 7-8 weeks old and has always been pretty solid. In the last few years he's gotten a bigger tummy, I guess because he's less active. I'm not sure about Max, except that he was the same size when I got him 1.5 years ago, so maybe he was also free fed in his last homes. Roman has also been free fed since we got him (probably way too young, he could not have been much older than 5 or 6 weeks). All my boys are neutered and indoor only cats.
Anyway, when Sonny was diagnosed with asthma in November the vet suggested I stop free feeding and instead feed once per day, which I have done. Sonny has only lost .4 lb but I guess that's better than gaining especially since he's on prednisolone which increases appetite. My concern is that Roman doesn't seem to be getting any bigger, and I'm not sure if he just seems small since Max and Sonny are so huge, or if he's just petite, or if he's not getting enough to eat for his age since I've cut back.
They share around 1 3/4 cup of dry food each day and one 5.5 oz of wet food each day. Sonny gets done the quickest usually with the wet food, while Max takes his time. Max is fed separately because he refuses to eat alongside the other cats. Sonny and Roman share a bowl but since Sonny is done first and Roman stays to finish I assume Roman gets at least his half.
Any suggestions on what I can do differently? How much weight should Sonny and Max be losing to become healthier but not lose weight too quickly? I've seen much fatter cats and I know that's no excuse but except for Sonny's stomach area which has only been a problem the last couple years, he's pretty solid. Max has thicker hair but he's pretty solid too and his stomach is not as round as Sonny's. Roman is just plain petite.
Sonny (almost 14 years old & 17 pounds)
Max (almost 6 years old and estimated between 15-16 lbs). He and Sonny seem similar in size but Max's hair is thicker and stomach area smaller.
Roman (almost 2, unsure of weight). On the petite side for a male but not necessarily too "skinny".
Roman next to Sonny. He seems half Sonny's size.
Anyway, when Sonny was diagnosed with asthma in November the vet suggested I stop free feeding and instead feed once per day, which I have done. Sonny has only lost .4 lb but I guess that's better than gaining especially since he's on prednisolone which increases appetite. My concern is that Roman doesn't seem to be getting any bigger, and I'm not sure if he just seems small since Max and Sonny are so huge, or if he's just petite, or if he's not getting enough to eat for his age since I've cut back.
They share around 1 3/4 cup of dry food each day and one 5.5 oz of wet food each day. Sonny gets done the quickest usually with the wet food, while Max takes his time. Max is fed separately because he refuses to eat alongside the other cats. Sonny and Roman share a bowl but since Sonny is done first and Roman stays to finish I assume Roman gets at least his half.
Any suggestions on what I can do differently? How much weight should Sonny and Max be losing to become healthier but not lose weight too quickly? I've seen much fatter cats and I know that's no excuse but except for Sonny's stomach area which has only been a problem the last couple years, he's pretty solid. Max has thicker hair but he's pretty solid too and his stomach is not as round as Sonny's. Roman is just plain petite.
Sonny (almost 14 years old & 17 pounds)
Max (almost 6 years old and estimated between 15-16 lbs). He and Sonny seem similar in size but Max's hair is thicker and stomach area smaller.
Roman (almost 2, unsure of weight). On the petite side for a male but not necessarily too "skinny".
Roman next to Sonny. He seems half Sonny's size.