Is It Okay To Count Calories For 9 Month Olds?

mmin

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I’m aware that kittens are supposed to be freefed because they are growing and all, but i’ve always been feeding him a set amount of food. Recently, i’ve started counting and have been feeding him about 200-220 calories per day. He’s a 9 month old scottish fold and currently weighs about 3.8-4.3kg depending on when i weigh him.

How do i know if i’m feeding him enough and not restricting his growth, but not feeding him too much that he will be overweight? He seems to eat it all no matter how much i put down for him-
 

lalagimp

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You could consult your vet if you're worried about his body condition, but I wouldn't start counting his calories just yet.
Stewart gained at least two pounds from 9-12 months.
Over the next year he got to 16 lbs and had frequent asthma issues. I got his body condition evaluated at the vet and put him on a program. He's 12-13 lbs.
He was less than ten pounds when he was sterilized appx 10 months old.

I don't think your bub is done yet.
 

Furballsmom

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Hi!
He seems to eat it all no matter how much i put down for him-
At 9 months I believe you still want to give him as much as he'll eat. There is a tremendous amount of growth, not just in actual body size but also in his nerves, brain, eyes, bones, muscles, you name it, it's still developing.

The handy thing about this is, in a few months when he does reach full maturity you'll have excellent information for going forward :).

Try set meals of canned and pouch foods rather than freefeeding kibble-that will help a lot to keep the weight gain "normal" as opposed to him getting fat from empty carbs in the dry food.
 
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mmin

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Ah, i forgot to add that the last time we were at the vets, about 3 weeks ago, the vet had said that he was at a perfect weight. He was 4kg at the vets.

I just don’t know how to alter the calorie count as he continues to grow.
 
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mmin

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Hi!

Try set meals of canned and pouch foods rather than freefeeding kibble-that will help a lot to keep the weight gain "normal" as opposed to him getting fat from empty carbs in the dry food.
i’m already currently feeding him set meals of canned food! :) but because i “set” it via calories, i don’t know if that’s right
 

kittyluv387

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My active young adult needs about that many calories per day so I think a 9 month old should be getting more. They burn it up. Unless he's starting to look like a sausage you don't need to restrict yet.
 
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mmin

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My active young adult needs about that many calories per day so I think a 9 month old should be getting more. They burn it up. Unless he's starting to look like a sausage you don't need to restrict yet.
He’s...a rather sedentary kitten :doh: i just got worried cause when he was around 7 months a vet mentioned that it would be good to cut down a little

I’ll post some top and side view pictures when i get home from work!
 

Richard2121

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Hi!

At 9 months I believe you still want to give him as much as he'll eat. There is a tremendous amount of growth, not just in actual body size but also in his nerves, brain, eyes, bones, muscles, you name it, it's still developing.

The handy thing about this is, in a few months when he does reach full maturity you'll have excellent information for going forward :).

Try set meals of canned and pouch foods rather than freefeeding kibble-that will help a lot to keep the weight gain "normal" as opposed to him getting fat from empty carbs in the dry food.
I actually have this same issue, My Koda is 9 months old and he's just your average tabby cat as far as breed goes. He's about 10.8-11 pounds depending on when I weigh him but its his body condition that concerns me. He is definitely thicker and rounder than my other 3 cats around his age. He eats like its his last meal for every meal. I used to let it slide because kittens should be able to eat as much as they want. But for the past week I have been slowly decreasing the amount of food he gets. He is active and I play with him every day but he definitely does seem a little fat. He has had this body shape for at least 2 months now and he is free of parasites, etc.

So is this normal? I just really don't think he should be round and chubby especially because my other 3 kitties are at very normal body shapes. I don't want a fat adult cat, I would rather control the issue now while he is probably only a pound overweight as opposed to in another few months when he may be a few pounds heavier. As a side note he eats wet food only and is not free-fed.
 

kittyluv387

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I actually have this same issue, My Koda is 9 months old and he's just your average tabby cat as far as breed goes. He's about 10.8-11 pounds depending on when I weigh him but its his body condition that concerns me. He is definitely thicker and rounder than my other 3 cats around his age. He eats like its his last meal for every meal. I used to let it slide because kittens should be able to eat as much as they want. But for the past week I have been slowly decreasing the amount of food he gets. He is active and I play with him every day but he definitely does seem a little fat. He has had this body shape for at least 2 months now and he is free of parasites, etc.

So is this normal? I just really don't think he should be round and chubby especially because my other 3 kitties are at very normal body shapes. I don't want a fat adult cat, I would rather control the issue now while he is probably only a pound overweight as opposed to in another few months when he may be a few pounds heavier. As a side note he eats wet food only and is not free-fed.
I think you should go by the body condition. Just like people, cats have their own body types. 120 pounds can look very different depending on the person and it's the same way when it comes to cat weight.
 

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Richard2121

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I think you should go by the body condition. Just like people, cats have their own body types. 120 pounds can look very different depending on the person and it's the same way when it comes to cat weight.
I may take him into the vet at some point this week or next week if I can just to update his weight and get their input. I don't think there is any reason to be concerned about a health issue causing an enlarged belly because we just did a fecal PCR on one of my other kitties and I feel like that would have raised a red flag. I think it is just kitten chubbiness setting in as he approaches adulthood.
 
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mmin

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Regarding this, i actually have another concern. He always starts doing a mix of (?)hissing and definitely some panting when i play with him. Not at me, just in general. I could play with him for only a couple minutes and he starts panting. I’ve brought him to the vet before and the vet says there’s nothing wrong with his heart/lungs and it’s likely just to be his breed, and when he plays he gets out of breath type thing. He also only does that panting thing during/after playing. Not other times

So.. because of that, i feel like i’ve been holding back on play as well. When i see him start panting, i get nervous and stop. : /
 

Furballsmom

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Hi!
I don't blame you for being concerned!
Have you gotten a video of it and shown that to your vet?
 
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mmin

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Hi!
I don't blame you for being concerned!
Have you gotten a video of it and shown that to your vet?
Nope! I’ve bought him to different vets regarding this though. And they all said the same thing. Just to monitor and that if he only does it during play, and it resolves quickly, then it shouldn’t be something to worry. but on my side, i get worried each time i see him pant and i end the play session

but we are getting off topic haha!
 

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Well, only sort of off topic because you're concerned enough to be limiting his exercise, which makes things more challenging regarding the calorie in/ calorie out issue.

If I were you, see if you can get a video --both for us to see here but mostly for a vet to look at. You need definitive confirmation that it's either a problem, or that he can be more active which would make weight maintenance a bit easier :)
 
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mmin

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Well, only sort of off topic because you're concerned enough to be limiting his exercise, which makes things more challenging regarding the calorie in/ calorie out issue.

If I were you, see if you can get a video --both for us to see here but mostly for a vet to look at. You need definitive confirmation that it's either a problem, or that he can be more active which would make weight maintenance a bit easier :)
She told me there’s no way that they can tell me definitely unless i have him take a chest xray. which is about $500. she said at this point, she doesn’t think it necessary (because she can’t hear anything, it resolves quickly and its only during play/ when he’s heated) and to just keep monitoring : /
 
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