Feeding Cats

Questions About Feeding Cats

How Often Should I Feed?

I have decided to switch my two adult cats to canned food. They share out of the same bowl, but I may go ahead and get an extra one. How many times a day should I feed them and which times are the best? I've always fed dry food, so I would just keep the bowl half full. However, I know canned foods can spoil after a while.

Thanks~~ Mike

Expert Reply

Hi Mike, You're going to have to experiment a little until you find the right feeding schedule and amounts to feed with the new diet. I recommend starting with the feeding recommendations you'll find on the label. You can always adjust the amount up or down a little until your cats are maintaining healthy weight without becoming fat. Ideally, there should only be as much wet food in the bowl as one cat can consume per meal. This eliminates any food sitting out to spoil.

As for when you should feed or how many times per day, that too will vary. I think it's good to offer your cats a meal first thing in the morning. Since these are adult cats, you can offer them a second feeding around your own dinner time if they seem to want it. Your vet may also have some advice about how many meals your cats should receive each day, since feeding can play a direct role in preventing your cats from forming bladder crystals. Thanks for your question, and I hope the new diet helps your cats stay healthy.

~~ Kelly

Cat Has Lost Appetite

Hi!

I just need some advice about my one-year-old female cat.

She's normally such a hungry cat and eats very well. Recently, she's totally gone off her food. For instance, today she must have eaten two little mouthfulls of food and that's it!

She spends most of the day outside, and then I lock her in with me at night. I'm really worried about her. Do you think it's the type of food I'm feeding her? She's always loved this food, so I can't understand what's wrong.

I hope you can help~~ Cutie

Expert Reply

Hi Cutie,

Of course, I'm going to recommend you take your cat into the vet for a check up, just to make sure there's not a medical condition that's keeping her from eating properly. As a first course of action, I'd check her mouth thoroughly to see if there's a problem that's causing her pain when she eats.

Since you let your cat roam outside all day, there's always the chance that she's discovered another food source, so she's less hungry when she gets home. One of the neighbors may assume she's a stray and is feeding her, or perhaps she's learning to hunt on her own.

I don't know what you feed her, but if she's always enjoyed it in the past, it's probably not that.

Just a side fact- I hope you've had your pet spayed. Otherwise, she's a prime target for all the Toms in the area. Pregnant cats sometimes go off their feed for a bit in the early stages.

Thanks for your question~~ Kelly

Cooking for Cats

Is it a good idea to feed my cats only chicken and rice I would prepare at home instead of commercial food? Should I add some vitamins to their diet?

~~Pat

Expert Reply

Hi Pat,

This is a very timely question in light of the recent commercial cat food scare.

It's perfectly acceptable to prepare food for your cats at home. This way you can be sure of exactly what is going into it. Chicken and rice is a good start, but don't be afraid to vary the menu a bit to round out your cat's nutritional intake. Cats love fish, and it's good for them too. Some cats even like vegetables, although they shouldn't be the main stay of their diet.

It's always good to check in with your vet before you make a major change in your cats' diet or routine. I'd suggest discussing your plan for a natural food diet for your cat, and asking your vet to help you set a weekly menu that provides variety and sound nutrition for your pets.

Additionally, visit the recipe for Carribean Duck and Fish Stew. Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks for your question~~ Kelly

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