overfeeding my kitty?

[nova]

My kitty, Lily, is about 9 wks old (thats what the vet estimated at least, we are not too sure because I found her). I am currently feeding her Science Diet dry food. The label suggests feeding cats that about 1 lb - 1/4 cups of food, but Lily is already going on eating almost 1/2 cup per day. This thing is if you give her just 1/4, she meows and meows because she wants more. She is my first cat, so I don't know if this is too much for a kitty.

[kate & kobi]

No no, not at all; at this age you should let her eat as much as she wants.

What do you mean by "1 lb - 1/4 cups of food"? If that's what it says on the label, it probably means 1/4 cup per pound of body weight, and I'll bet at 9 weeks she weighs more than 1 pound.

Is it a food specifically for kittens? Which SD formulation is it?

[Traci]

I agree with Kate......kittens this young must be free-fed as much as they want, they expend great amounts of energy and need a constant supply of vital nutrients for proper growth and development.

If this is Science Diet adult food, your kitten needs the KITTEN food type, she can be graduated onto adult food anytime around 6-8 months of age.

[Guest]

Thanks for your help, sorry I wasn't more specific on some details. But I had her weighed, and although she is eating slightly more than the kitten food recommends for a kitty that weighs about 2 lbs, its not too much over. But thanks again for all of your help!

[nova]

Sorry the reply from the guest was really from me, Nova, I am new to the board so I've taken some time getting used to these boards!