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Helping a cat lose weight
One of our cats is very overweight. For years we have left food in bowls and let the cats eat when they want to, mainly because it is easier with so many cats. Because Spencer is at least 6 lbs overweight, we now are feeding each cat at certain times, and measuring out how much Spencer should eat. He currently weighs about 16 lbs. and I would like him to get down to 10lbs.
The chart on the bag says for a 10-14 lb cat you should feed them 3/4 to 1 and1/4 cups daily, I am giving Spencer 1 cup daily, and he doesn't always eat all of it. My husband insists that he will not lose weight by doing that, he needs to eat less than what the chart says in order to lose weight. I think if the chart is for a 10-14 lb cat, and he is 16 lbs., he will lose weight for awhile, and then maybe we will have to decrease the amount, but not right away. Who's right?
The chart on the bag says for a 10-14 lb cat you should feed them 3/4 to 1 and1/4 cups daily, I am giving Spencer 1 cup daily, and he doesn't always eat all of it. My husband insists that he will not lose weight by doing that, he needs to eat less than what the chart says in order to lose weight. I think if the chart is for a 10-14 lb cat, and he is 16 lbs., he will lose weight for awhile, and then maybe we will have to decrease the amount, but not right away. Who's right?
I'm working on my husband to give Spencer canned food, not having much luck, but will keep trying.
yikes 7 cats...that would be expensive indeed. can I than suggest a homemade diet???
I had to resort to learning to make that for my oldest boy, who I HAD to get off dry food b/c of his urinary tract disease..(very common with dry fed cats).
he REFUSED all commercial canned foods and I believe I tried every one of them on the market!!!
unfortunately my second cat refuses to eat the homemade diet, the new kitten does but she prefers her cans...can't win.
but my Nemo has been eating my prepared diet for 4 years now and loves it, and he has stayed healthy and free of urinary tract problems.
and its so much CHEAPER than any bought food, even cheaper than the dry foods and sooooo much healthier. I can feed him for abt $20 per month.(once you have all the supplements req.) while the ones eating cans cost me $180+ per month....huge difference.
I cook a batch of chicken thighs in a large roaster. bake until well done and falling off the bone, remove skin, debone it and shred, than mix the water plus all the supplements and put into pint sealers and freeze. I defrost each pint as he needs it and one will last 3-4days. I only have to do a cooking day once every 3-4 weeks.
I can give you a recipe plus a list of all the supplements. it will cost you a bit to buy those to start out but they last for many months b/c you use such a small amount each time.....
it would be much healthier and much cheaper for you...
I had to resort to learning to make that for my oldest boy, who I HAD to get off dry food b/c of his urinary tract disease..(very common with dry fed cats).
he REFUSED all commercial canned foods and I believe I tried every one of them on the market!!!
unfortunately my second cat refuses to eat the homemade diet, the new kitten does but she prefers her cans...can't win.
but my Nemo has been eating my prepared diet for 4 years now and loves it, and he has stayed healthy and free of urinary tract problems.
and its so much CHEAPER than any bought food, even cheaper than the dry foods and sooooo much healthier. I can feed him for abt $20 per month.(once you have all the supplements req.) while the ones eating cans cost me $180+ per month....huge difference.
I cook a batch of chicken thighs in a large roaster. bake until well done and falling off the bone, remove skin, debone it and shred, than mix the water plus all the supplements and put into pint sealers and freeze. I defrost each pint as he needs it and one will last 3-4days. I only have to do a cooking day once every 3-4 weeks.
I can give you a recipe plus a list of all the supplements. it will cost you a bit to buy those to start out but they last for many months b/c you use such a small amount each time.....
it would be much healthier and much cheaper for you...
Opus, I know canned food would be much better for my guys, but I honestly can't afford over $200 for food and over $50 a month for litter, plus dog food. If the amount of cats I have ever dwindles, I definitely would switch them, but it seems like that's not going to happen too soon. When Ruby died, I inherited my mothers cat, ( I'm having a lot of problems with her) so I'm back to seven. My mother in law is 89 and has two cats, I joke and tell her she has to out live her cats because I don't want them, she says "Okay, I will"
hi, the problem isn't really in the 'amount' Spence is eating the problem is 'what' he is eating....dry food=CARBS....high carbs.
as you've already stated he is eating less than the recommended amount already so that isn't the problem, as with people, cats too gain weight when they consume a diet high in carbs and dry food is loaded in carbs...grains even potatoes anything for FILLERS. they are getting more fillers than actual protien.
Its not going to be easy but I do suggest you get all your cats not only Spencer on a canned food diet. feed 2-3x's day....cats in general do not consume more than what they need, and canned food cats are rarely overweight.
I will send you a great site with diet info from a Vet nutritionist. you can also click on more info on her site, I recommend reading 'how to transition and dry food addict to canned food' you do have to do this slowly...not only are dry foods high in carbs but they are very addicting because of all this 'good' stuff kitties crave just like we do with junk foods...lol
good luck
http://www.catinfo.org/
as you've already stated he is eating less than the recommended amount already so that isn't the problem, as with people, cats too gain weight when they consume a diet high in carbs and dry food is loaded in carbs...grains even potatoes anything for FILLERS. they are getting more fillers than actual protien.
Its not going to be easy but I do suggest you get all your cats not only Spencer on a canned food diet. feed 2-3x's day....cats in general do not consume more than what they need, and canned food cats are rarely overweight.
I will send you a great site with diet info from a Vet nutritionist. you can also click on more info on her site, I recommend reading 'how to transition and dry food addict to canned food' you do have to do this slowly...not only are dry foods high in carbs but they are very addicting because of all this 'good' stuff kitties crave just like we do with junk foods...lol
good luck
http://www.catinfo.org/
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