Hungry Cats

[Shelsteree]

Okay, here goes- I have read the "how to take care of a cat" websites... but I need real people advice

how much and when do my cats need to eat??

Falco is approx. 11 lbs and Dragon is a smidge shy of 10 lbs

at the moment we are putting a half a can in each bowl in the am (around 6:30) and again around 5:00 pm. At least half the time I mix in some hard kitten chow .. ... and they still act ravenous around lunchtime and late at night. I KNOW part of it is conditioning. but my husband has taken to sitting out a bowl with the dry cat food in it all the time
I have been home during the day (I was laid off) and have been giving in to them meowing around me, (acting like they are going to eat me!) at lunchtime - and giving them food then too

I KNOW they cannot possibly be that hungry - can they? My rational brain says that if they are really hungry they'll eat more of the dry food if there's no food in their bowls, but my kitty-mommy brain says "but they're hungry!"

help

[anneryan]

Read the feeding instructions on the can of food. It will tell you how many can(s) per day for the weight of your cats. For example, I feed my cat the small 3 0z. cans and it says 2 to 2/1/2 cans per day.

Anne

[Shelsteree]

OMG- really?! no wonder they are hungry. It never occured to me to look for instructions on cat food! LOL I'll check it out when I feed them later.

(if I go in the kitchen now and open the cat food cabinet they'll be in there yelling at me "Feed me Seymour!"

[Tambrey]

I have a multi cat household and find it easier to free feed dry only...as long as I keep the bowls filled, they will not gorge themselves and overeat...and each one can eat as he or she is hungry...

However, if I let the bowls go empty...it is like a stampede when they hear the scoop in the bin and knocking each other over to get to a bowl...and there are enough for everyone...then I have the trouble of gorging and throwing up half digested food...which if I do not get to fast enough, one of the dogs beats me to is

It is fine to give the canned...maybe half and lahf like you ahve been...but make dry kibble available all of the day...

[Marty]

I would like to add that if you don't feed the same food all the time, the instructions will be different for each brand. Some have more kcal than others. Treats need to be considered as well.

[Shelsteree]

OMG- now I feel awful. (Mommy guilt!)
The can of cat food says
feed one 8-9lb adult cat 2 cans a day, kitten twice as much!

oh boy

Well, now I know LOL poor mistreated kitties

[Tambrey]

Gradually increase the amount of canned food you are giving them...and leave a good quality dry out in between...they can then eat when they are hungry and you can still feed 1/2 can in morning and at night...I know canned food can get expensive!!

do not give them people food!!...once they KNOW that they are going to have food when they are hungry, and on their terms...they will settle down...

[mamabear]

shelsteree i pm'd you let me know if you are there

[anneryan]

Tambrey, that's what I do too--free feed dry food which I leave out all the time and then I give my kitty just 1/2 a can (the 3 oz. size) each evening.

Good luck with your new feeding plan, Michelle!

Anne

[mamabear]

Michele,
I know the boys are under a year old. I wanted to say that free feeding dry should be fine. But I must stress that you need to get the ok from your Vet first since Falcor went through the whole dizzy/high fever and other problems I would feel much better if you spoke to the vet first about any change in his diet.

I am sure Dragon will be fine but I would prefer you get the ok for Falcor through your vet. I am sure if he wanted you to put him on something specific he would have already.

I think if you get them use to free feeding dry they should be fine.

Just a note as well....If they are overweight and you are looking at loosing that weight then you shouldnt feed per weight directions, again talk to vet and see what he says to lower weight if that is a concern. If it is just that they are hungry then feed accordingly after the vet says it's ok for Falcor.

Hope they are romping like boys are suppose to!