Free Feeding, Is It Ok?

nunnc84

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Alright. I got this cat barely weighing 5 pounds. Now that there are no other cats, I could free feed. When I do she is not in my face meowing all the time. I'm talking a couple cups this girl can eat.
I'm worried she will get obese. The vet told me to feed her 1/4 cup twice a day.
She has a past of constipation. I give mineral oil. Then regularly, some pro and pre biotic powder.
Should I put 1/2 cup down for the day? And walk away? Because today I put food in the bowl because I had a headache and she wouldn't stop meowing. Her belly is a bit round, she had a movement. I gave her a bit of mineral oil just in case.
Is free feeding ok? Am I doing it right?
 

Suru

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could you get a timed feeder?
 
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nunnc84

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Alright. I got this cat barely weighing 5 pounds. Now that there are no other cats, I could free feed. When I do she is not in my face meowing all the time. I'm talking a couple cups this girl can eat.
I'm worried she will get obese. The vet told me to feed her 1/4 cup twice a day.
She has a past of constipation. I give mineral oil. Then regularly, some pro and pre biotic powder.
Should I put 1/2 cup down for the day? And walk away? Because today I put food in the bowl because I had a headache and she wouldn't stop meowing. Her belly is a bit round, she had a movement. I gave her a bit of mineral oil just in case.
Is free feeding ok? Am I doing it right?
There is absolute silence. She is not meowing, pawing me, it's awesome!!!
 

mizzely

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I free feed wet food in my Sure Pet Sealed Food Bowl. No obese kitty here :)
 

amethyst

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Some cats are ok with free feeding others not so much. It really comes down to how she eats. Like for example if you put down the whole 1/2 cup worth for the day in the morning will she just eat it all in one sitting or will she eat some then walk away leaving some in the bowl for later?

The biggest issue with free feeding is that it's very easy for cats to over eat if given unlimited food. Also it's hard to tell if your cat slows down or stops eating if given unlimited.

Another option for food, if she will just eat it all in one sitting from a bowl, is to portion out her food and put it in puzzle feeders. That way she get little bits of food throughout the day, but she has to work for it. They even now make little mice shaped toys you can fill with a small amount of kibble and hide around your house. The idea is for the cat to hunt down, play with, and then eat the kibble. You can also make cheap versions out of toilet paper rolls, just tape up the ends and poke holes slightly larger then the kibble. Or a cheap puzzle box with a cardboard box with holes in it, the cat has to work the kibble out with her paws.
 

LTS3

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I had one I donated to the vet's office. I couldn't figure it out. It was too complicated.

That's what the instruction booklet is for ;) Which brand did you have and was it a digital timer one or a manual timer one? The digital ones can be a bit complicated to use. The manual ones are pretty dummy proof: put food in, close lid, turn the timer dial to set the time.
 

di and bob

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I free feed the dry, they graze just a little bit and come back at times. This is all they get when we are gone for the night occasionally. I feed one smaller can of wet once in the morning and one can at night, shared amongst three cats. ( Tommy has chicken a few times a day so doesn't eat as much canned) I have never had a problem with weight until I made them indoor cats. Now they are getting a little pudgy so I switched their dry to Purina Pro Weight Control. They are looking better.
 
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nunnc84

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That's what the instruction booklet is for ;) Which brand did you have and was it a digital timer one or a manual timer one? The digital ones can be a bit complicated to use. The manual ones are pretty dummy proof: put food in, close lid, turn the timer dial to set the time.
It wS digital.
 
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nunnc84

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Some cats are ok with free feeding others not so much. It really comes down to how she eats. Like for example if you put down the whole 1/2 cup worth for the day in the morning will she just eat it all in one sitting or will she eat some then walk away leaving some in the bowl for later?

The biggest issue with free feeding is that it's very easy for cats to over eat if given unlimited food. Also it's hard to tell if your cat slows down or stops eating if given unlimited.

Another option for food, if she will just eat it all in one sitting from a bowl, is to portion out her food and put it in puzzle feeders. That way she get little bits of food throughout the day, but she has to work for it. They even now make little mice shaped toys you can fill with a small amount of kibble and hide around your house. The idea is for the cat to hunt down, play with, and then eat the kibble. You can also make cheap versions out of toilet paper rolls, just tape up the ends and poke holes slightly larger then the kibble. Or a cheap puzzle box with a cardboard box with holes in it, the cat has to work the kibble out with her paws.
I have balls the food puzzle. I can go back to those. I give purina pro pre biotic powder and another supplement in powder, so I have to put it in water at least in a bowl.
 
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nunnc84

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Alright. I got this cat barely weighing 5 pounds. Now that there are no other cats, I could free feed. When I do she is not in my face meowing all the time. I'm talking a couple cups this girl can eat.
I'm worried she will get obese. The vet told me to feed her 1/4 cup twice a day.
She has a past of constipation. I give mineral oil. Then regularly, some pro and pre biotic powder.
Should I put 1/2 cup down for the day? And walk away? Because today I put food in the bowl because I had a headache and she wouldn't stop meowing. Her belly is a bit round, she had a movement. I gave her a bit of mineral oil just in case.
Is free feeding ok? Am I doing it right?
Not right now
 

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nunnc84

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I free feed the dry, they graze just a little bit and come back at times. This is all they get when we are gone for the night occasionally. I feed one smaller can of wet once in the morning and one can at night, shared amongst three cats. ( Tommy has chicken a few times a day so doesn't eat as much canned) I have never had a problem with weight until I made them indoor cats. Now they are getting a little pudgy so I switched their dry to Purina Pro Weight Control. They are looking better.
I want to get her off wet. She loves it, it’s bad for her teeth and weight. I’ll use those food ball puzzles more. She gulps everything down immediately.
 
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nunnc84

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Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate your time!!!
 
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