How often to feed?

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majcm - 20 Jul 2005 18:57 GMT

Okay, I have seven cats, one of which is extremely obese. He bugs me
constantly for food and after he eats his, he steals other others food. 4 of
the cats are kittens raised here from birth and 2 are getting heavy (they
are 11 mo. old) I'm hate it, but when Buddy (the obese one) bugs me enough,
I feed him a small amount to leave me alone! THen of course, the others hear
the food bag rattle & want to eat too. I don't want the kittens starting to
bug me all day for food or get too fat.

I'll try to ingnore Buddy's pestering all day if I can get them on a
schedule. How often should I feed cats? Twice a day? I mostly give dry
Purina Indoor Cat Food, but every few days I'll give them each a little wet
Friskies food. Hubby feeds at 6:30 a.m. & by noon to 2:00 they are going
nuts everytime I walk by the closet door! Sorry so long, but thanks for any
advice.

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rpl - 20 Jul 2005 19:03 GMT

> Okay, I have seven cats, one of which is extremely obese. He bugs me
> constantly for food and after he eats his, he steals other others food. 4 of
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> nuts everytime I walk by the closet door! Sorry so long, but thanks for any
> advice.

Find a dry food that "Buddy" doesn't like and leave it out; as per
feeding Buddy treats, if you must, empty the treat bag into a baggie; no
noise, no nosey cats. Being overweight is not healthy though, you might
want to stick to the feline equivalent of carrots & celery.

pat

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majcm - 20 Jul 2005 20:12 GMT

Hey, great idea about the baggie! I don't give buddy treats, and I'll try
to find a food he doesn't care for. I know fat is bad for cats just like us,
but also they say you can't cut food drastically back for fear of some liver
problem.

Thanks Pat!

> > Okay, I have seven cats, one of which is extremely obese. He bugs me
> > constantly for food and after he eats his, he steals other others food. 4 of
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>
> pat

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PipeDown - 20 Jul 2005 22:26 GMT

No real comment on the food but you can increase buddy's (or just about any
cat or dog) excercise by using either a laser pointer or a string and stick
toy. Just get him to run around until he won't anymore as often as you feel
like it and this should help his weight problem and you both can have fun
doing it.

> Hey, great idea about the baggie! I don't give buddy treats, and I'll try
> to find a food he doesn't care for. I know fat is bad for cats just like
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>>
>> pat

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Maggie's Mom - 20 Jul 2005 20:25 GMT

> Okay, I have seven cats, one of which is extremely obese.

I have two cats, one lean, the other one plumpish. My daughter has six cats,
3 lean and 3 plumpish. The plumpish ones were obese once, but since we
switched to Iams Weight Control dry, the fat cats are slowly getting leaner.
The lean ones who had no problems to beging with, are lean energy bundles. I
had cats for as long as I can remember (and I can remember quite a bit), and
I had opportunity to check out many different cat foods. So far, IMHO, Iams
is the best when it comes to nutrition and weight control. I'd stay away
from Science Diet (bad experiences in my household, and in my daughter's,
too).

Our cats have free access to dry low-cal food. They are never hungry, and
they never pig out. Of course they get treats couple of times a day - a
piece per cat; and once in a while they get some canned food, meant as a
treat. They have no health problems (knock on wood), no real obesity
problems, they're generally happy cats.

Hope this helps, and keep us posted. Love to all, - Maggie's Mom.

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majcm - 20 Jul 2005 21:29 GMT

So Maggie's Mom, Iams didn't make the normal size cats get too thin? Three
of mine are normal weight, two are getting a little chubby, the "biggie",
and the runt of the kitten litter doesn't seem to gain no matter how much
she eats, she's kind of small & skinny. I really don't want her to lose.
Take care.

> > Okay, I have seven cats, one of which is extremely obese.
>
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>
> Hope this helps, and keep us posted. Love to all, - Maggie's Mom.

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Maggie's Mom - 21 Jul 2005 21:38 GMT

The normal size cat did not lose any weight. She was always trim, and
remained trim and healthy. The pudgy Alexander is slowly losing extra
pounds, and his dangling belly is gradually vanishing. What I like about
Iams Weight Control is that it a) never gave any of the cats I know
diarrhea; b) is not an "aggressive" diet and c) it has the "hairball
control", thus less spots on carpets...

Funny that you mention the runt of the litter who does not seem to gain
weight. Maggie's Napster, who was the last one born, absolutely the tiniest
kitten I've ever seen, has outgrown his mama and his brothers and now he is
an impressive 18 pound gentle tiger of a cat. Before he was introduced to
Iams Weight Control, he was a 20-pounder, and definitely looked unhealthy.
After he lost 2 pounds over a period of about 5 months or so (this is what I
mean by "non-aggressive diet"), he looks much healthier, has lots of energy
to play, and has fantastically glossy, silky coat. I believe he will
gradually reduce his fat to what he should be, and not an ounce less. Just
don't expect dramatic overnight results, give it time and (judging by my 2
cats and 6 grandcats) you will be amazed.

BTW, I do not advertise for Iams. I just use it on my cats, and everybody's
happy.

Love to all, - Maggie's Mom.

> So Maggie's Mom, Iams didn't make the normal size cats get too thin? Three
> of mine are normal weight, two are getting a little chubby, the "biggie",
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>>
>> Hope this helps, and keep us posted. Love to all, - Maggie's Mom.

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