I don't see how adding rice, a starch *very* high in carbohydrates,
would do anything to help a cat lose weight!  It would probably cause
them to gain weight.  If you're going to add rice, it should be brown
rice (whole grain) but even then I can't see how it would benefit.  I
would suggest that you purchase a high-quality, reduced calorie, CAT
FOOD for your cats.

dragon

Rice is filler.  You might as well feed them sawdust.

What canned food are you mixing with filler?  Do they have a formula for
older/fat/lazy cats?  I've put kitties on that stuff when they were only
a year old if they did more eating than running around.

I've learned a lot about cat nutrition since I've started Tucker on a
diet. I don't know that rice will help them--cats don't need
carbohydrates in their diet. I have (slowly!) cut back on food and will
add more water and mix it in to make up for the difference.

Perhaps Megan will post--she knows far more than I do. But basically
you need to determine their daily calorie needs. Here's a web site with
the calorie information for many canned foods:
http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/jmpeerson/canfood.html

Rene

I would not recommend adding rice to your cats' food as it may upset the
nutritional balance.  A better way to help your cats lose weight would be to
get them more active by using interactive toys with them, and finding a food
that is more nutrient dense so you wouldn't have to feed as much.  I think
Hill's even makes a food that is supposed to help in weight loss if you wanted
to stick with that brand.  Or, you might want to find a brand that has less
carbs, something like Wellness.

Lauren
________
See my cats:  http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm

As far as I recall, rice in cat food is usually for when the animal needs a
reduced *protein* diet.

Jim

According to my vet, cat hunger doesn't work the same way as human hunger.
While we want to stop eating when we're full, they want to stop eating when
they get enough of certain nutrients, like fat and protein.  By adding more
carbs to their diet, you will just make them want to eat more to get enough of
those nutrients.

Have you checked with your vet to find out if you are feeding them the right
amount of canned food?  I wouldn't just go shrinking their portions unless
you're sure they'll still get enough food, but maybe you're feeding them too
much.

I agree with whoever suggested more playtime.  My cat isn't a big fan of most
toys, but for $4 I got a "cat dancer" toy that my cat adores, so I can finally
get her butt off the couch!

Why don't you use the Science Diet Light Adult Cat food?
Check with your Vet.

Rice is high in carbohydrate (about 30 kcal/oz). Adding rice to a
pre-formulated diet will throw off the nutrient balance of the diet.

Cats eat to meet their energy needs. When energy needs are met, cats stop
eating (unless their satiety cues are overridden by really palatable diets
or behavioral factors are involved).  All other nutrients must be in the
diet in the right amounts to meet the cat's nutrient needs *before* her
energy needs are met. By adding rice, the cat will meet her energy needs
before her nutrient needs are met.

A moderately active *neutered* adult cat has a daily energy requirement
(DER) of about 45 kcal/kg/day.  For example, a 4 kg (~9 lbs) cat needs about
180 kcal/day.  An active cat needs a little more and a sedentary cat's DER
is closer to his basil energy requirement.

Assuming your cat is otherwise healthy,  a *safe* weight loss diet for the
above cat would be would be about 135 kcal/day or a 25% reduction in daily
caloric intake -- allowing at least 4 weeks for each pound of weight loss.
You don't want your cat to lose weight any faster than that.  Rapid weight
loss in cats can result in a serious, life-threatening liver disease called
hepatic lipidosis a/k/a "fatty liver syndrome.

Another type of weight loss program would include calculating the cat's
ideal or target body weight and feeding 45 kcal/kg for that weight.
However, this program cannot be used as is in cats that are severely obese
because the caloric reduction would be too severe.  The program would need
to implemented in steps.  For example, if your cat weighs 9 kg the target
weight would be 7 kg.  His caloric intake would be calculated at 45 kcal  X
7 kg BW or about 315 kcal/day.  After he has maintained 7 kg for about 2
weeks, you can set a new target weight of 5 or 6 kg feeding 45 kcal/day/kg
BW.

You can also take the prescription weight loss diet route (e.g., Hill's m/d
or Purina DM).  However, I've had the best results with moderate caloric
reductions in the cats' regular food -- and its also less stressful for the
cat.  The last thing you want is an overweight cat to stop eating!

As far as "light" or "lite" diets go, I think they're better suited for
weight
maintenance than weight loss, if even that.  Most light diets contain
significant amounts of insoluble fiber which although increases satiety, it
also displaces protein and fat and may interfere with nutrient absorption.
They're also loaded with carbs - which is just what you want to avoid.

Before embarking on any weight loss program - run it by your vet, first.

About the best investment you can make in your cat's healthcare program is a
good pediatric scale such as the Tanita 1583.  Subtle weight losses and
gains are difficult to notice in cats you see everyday - especially in
long-hair cats.  Subtle changes in weight can be an early warning sign of
illness.

The Tanita has an auto weight lock-in feature and  weight graduations of .5
oz. from zero to 20 lbs. (0-10 kg X 10 g) and 1 oz. from 20 to 40 lbs.
(10-20 kg X 20 g). The scale is much easier to use without the infant tray.
Just throw one or two small treats on the base and your cat will hop right
on - with no struggling!
http://www.maxshouse.com/weighing_a_cat_made_easy.htm

Good luck,

Phil