I have a 6 year old tortie, and I've been wondering if I'm over feeding her. She's around 10 pounds. I leave a bowl, probably around a cup, of dry food for her to snack on, and feed her wet food in the morning and night,around a tablespoon full for each serving. Does this sound like too much, and also a good feeding schedule? She looks like she's a little bigger. I want her to be healthy, so I'd appreciate any advice.
#1
Hi, it‘s me again! 🙂
Also again: No expert, but somehow I always end up with "Cats with Issues“, so I read a lot. I think your feeding schedule is good, but a cup of dry food seems a bit much to me, as it‘s usually higher in calories than wet food. Too much dry food might also cause kidney issues and urinary problems because naturally cats get most of their fluid intake by eating. Dry food is, well, dry, so you have to have an eye on your cat‘s drinking habits and make sure she gets enough. You could do this by mixing a bit of water into the wet food she gets twice a day.
Maybe you could have her blood checked (especially kidneys and also thyroid)? My veterinarian said everyone with a cat older than 6 years should do that.
Also again: No expert, but somehow I always end up with "Cats with Issues“, so I read a lot. I think your feeding schedule is good, but a cup of dry food seems a bit much to me, as it‘s usually higher in calories than wet food. Too much dry food might also cause kidney issues and urinary problems because naturally cats get most of their fluid intake by eating. Dry food is, well, dry, so you have to have an eye on your cat‘s drinking habits and make sure she gets enough. You could do this by mixing a bit of water into the wet food she gets twice a day.
Maybe you could have her blood checked (especially kidneys and also thyroid)? My veterinarian said everyone with a cat older than 6 years should do that.
2points
#2
According to my vet: adult cats should be eating approximately 250 calories per day.
My cats get 1/8 Cup kibble mixed with 1 Sheba perfect portion wet food 3 times a day. I have to do 3 feedings because my tabby likes to dine at the snarf-n-barf and if we give her an entire days worth of food at one time she will gobble it all up and then....you know....and then be begging for food all day long because she is starving and then since she is starving the next time she gets food she eats too fast....its and endless cycle. So hence the 3 meals a day and I'm not stepping in cat puke all the time.
My cats get 1/8 Cup kibble mixed with 1 Sheba perfect portion wet food 3 times a day. I have to do 3 feedings because my tabby likes to dine at the snarf-n-barf and if we give her an entire days worth of food at one time she will gobble it all up and then....you know....and then be begging for food all day long because she is starving and then since she is starving the next time she gets food she eats too fast....its and endless cycle. So hence the 3 meals a day and I'm not stepping in cat puke all the time.
1point
#3
If she made it to 6 years old, youre probably feeding her enough. I wouldnt worry about it too much.
1point