I'm At My Wits End.

[xeoneex]

I really don't know what I can do at this point as I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't. So the problem is I have insomnia, and when I try to sleep both my cats wake me up by clawing at my bed constantly, meowing, jumping all over me, because they are hungry. I was told by my vet that both cats were fat and that I had to regulate their food. Now I had a cat prior to this that I free fed, and for awhile I free fed these 2, and she developed Diabetes. I eventually had to put my Matty down because it became unmanageable and I was a walking ball of stress for it. That was several years ago now. However I'm so terrified that one of these 2 I have NOW will develop diabetes that I feel the best way is to regulate their weight like the vet suggests. I give them a want to say less than a 1/3 cup twice a day with a itty bitty snack in between. Normal feeding times are anywhere from 10-11 am, a 5 pm nibble of either a treat or a small handful of their food, and then 10-11 pm dinner. Of course they have grown so accustomed to this that they tend to bug me hours BEFORE their feeding time by sitting around me, clawing at my bed at times, meowing like crazy and just being annoying. I get they are hungry and I wish I could free feed them to give them what they want. But my fear of feline diabetes keeps me from that yet if I don't let them free feed, and believe me I have given in out of frustration and nearly losing my mind, they will consistantly pester me even if I give them attention. I love my cats I really do but when my own mental health is on the line what do I do?

 

[ginny]

What type of food are you feeding them? That might be part of the problem. Canned has a species appropriate amount of protein and usually less carbs. Carbs are what give them diabetes. Dry food is almost always high carb. They don't need it. Carbs also stimulate their appetite. Shoot for 10% or less total carbs in their food.

Also if you're going to reduce their feeding, cut back slower over the course of several weeks so that they don't notice a drastic difference. How much were you feeding before? If you could space it out to every 12 hours that might help give more "coverage" for the day.

 

[abyeb]

Cats are most active at night, so they might not just be hungry, but trying to play. Can you give them a nice, energetic play session before you go to sleep? Have them chase around a wand-type toy for about 15 minutes. This should help tire them out and give them some good exercise to help control their weight.

 

[ginny]

Here's a good list of commercial canned foods and their macro contents: http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

 

[xeoneex]

My vets were saying dry was better and I've heard both arguments from both sides so I have absolutely no idea whats the right choice.

 

[xeoneex]

Oh and I was told wet food was bad for their teeth and they've pestered me to clean their teeth, something which costs $300ish per cat. An amount I cannot afford for 1 of them let alone both. So I have no idea what to do.

 

[ginny]

IMO your vet is wrong. Dry food has more carbs which leads to overweight and diabetes. I fed mine half canned half dry all their lives. Now Oreo has diabetes, so now they are only on canned food < 10% carbs.

Dry food also increases the chance of forming urinary crystals which can lead to blockage, which is a vet emergency. If you'd like another vet's opinion, visit catinfo.org. Dr. Pierson has extensive knowledge and experience with both wet and dry food. She recommends wet only now after numerous problems with her kitties.

 

[xeoneex]

Well that still doesn't stop the underlying issue of them pestering me for food way earlier than they should get fed.

 

[xeoneex]

Also if I switch to canned, how much do I give them? Whats too much, whats not enough? At least with the dry I've been giving it to them for many many years now I actually know what I should give them.

 

[xeoneex]

Oh and I completely forgot to mention that even if I decide to remove the cats from my room and close the door, Chloe will meow for hours and hours and hours and hours, and claw at my door. I literally cannot sleep either way, whether they are clawing my bed, with newly purchased sheets, or meowing and clawing at my door causing loud wood on wood rubbing noises.

 

[ginny]

Well that still doesn't stop the underlying issue of them pestering me for food way earlier than they should get fed.

Actually it's a great start to solving the problem. Cats are obligate carnivores. They have to have protein. Carbs are not necessary. Dry food actually STIMULATES their appetite, and it's not species appropriate. Canned food is, with a protein content of at least 40%. Check out the link I gave you and visit Dr. Pierson's website.

 

[maggiedemi]

Along with their dry food, try giving them a 3oz can each per day or split one big 5.5oz can between them every day. You can try the whole 3oz at once, or do 1.5oz twice a day.

 

[xeoneex]

That website is really confusing for me for some reason. I've glanced it over and it's waaay over my head. So if I switch I give them the whole can? both cats get 1 can even though my younger cat is smaller? I'm confused...

 

[maggiedemi]

Sure, a small cat could eat a 3oz can. If he can't eat it all at once, then split it into two meals. You can always give them less dry food. How much dry food are you giving them each per day? How old are the cats?

 

[mokapi]

How old is your younger cat, and how much smaller?

Giving them each 3 oz. with their dinner may help to curb their hunger for longer. As other members have said, canned food has more protein and less carbs-- consider how a human can feel full for several hours after a good protein shake. You can kind of consider canned food to be like a protein shake in that way.

Other members might disagree with me, but I basically run my cats out of my room with loud "TSCH!!" noises, clapping, etc. A nice "GO TO BED" bellow works wonders in my household, LOL. I have an extremely feisty 10 mo. old kitten, and if I don't push him off the bed and make loud, unhappy noises, he will bite my toes for literal hours.

 

[xeoneex]

Sure, a small cat could eat a 3oz can. If he can't eat it all at once, then split it into two meals. You can always give them less dry food. How much dry food are you giving them each per day? How old are the cats?

they are about 4 years old, I give them I think less than 1/3 cup twice a day.

 

[xeoneex]

How old is your younger cat, and how much smaller?

Giving them each 3 oz. with their dinner may help to curb their hunger for longer. As other members have said, canned food has more protein and less carbs-- consider how a human can feel full for several hours after a good protein shake. You can kind of consider canned food to be like a protein shake in that way.

Other members might disagree with me, but I basically run my cats out of my room with loud "TSCH!!" noises, clapping, etc. A nice "GO TO BED" bellow works wonders in my household, LOL. I have an extremely feisty 10 mo. old kitten, and if I don't push him off the bed and make loud, unhappy noises, he will bite my toes for literal hours.

The problem isnt getting them OUT of my room, ti's keeping them from meowing and scracthing my door constantly waking me up at like 7am.

 

[xeoneex]

The problem isnt getting them OUT of my room, ti's keeping them from meowing and scracthing my door constantly waking me up at like 7am.

Like now, I removed both cats from my room, Chloe has sat at my door for 2 hours now meowing and clawing at my door. I actually have a GIANT hole in my carpeting from where she scratches under the door.

 

[xeoneex]

Like now, I removed both cats from my room, Chloe has sat at my door for 2 hours now meowing and clawing at my door. I actually have a GIANT hole in my carpeting from where she scratches under the door.

Oh and they both woke me up at about 7:30 am about 2 and a half hours ago.

 

[maggiedemi]

1/3 cup each or 1/3 cup for both to share twice a day?