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- Aug 1, 2013
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Hi, long time lurker first time poster and first time cat owner. Longwinded post incoming (sorry =D )
I have two boys, litter mates and they are 18mos old. I've had them since they were 4mos and up until last week they have been eating Wellness canned grain free (no kibble). They are both normal weight, big guy is 14lbs, little guy is 11lbs. Big guy is nice and healthy and the little one has had digestion problems (runny stools) that the raw food seems to be helping with.
I've been feeding them rabbit (whole ground no fur/intestines) since Sunday. I've been lucky that the little one just started eating it and hasn't looked back. He goes nuts when he smells it being dished out. Big guy is naturally suspicious of everything so although he will eat a little if I put it in the same dish with his canned food, he's not fully on board yet. I have hope!
My questions revolve around the number of times per day and the amount. Since they were kittens I just got in the habit of feeding them multiple times a day. I've since settled on 3 times a day, but this isn't always convenient. Even though I work from home most days, I travel about twice a month for work and have a sitter come in. I'd like to reduce them to two feedings, once in the mornings around 7am or so, and once in the evenings around 7pm. This would be easier for the sitter and save on sitter cost as well. What is the best way to do this? Since I'm here a lot of the time, at 1pm like clockwork, they are ready to eat. Do I just put up with the begging until they eventually get the picture and stop, or is there some way to transition them? Is two feedings a day better or worse than three?
As to the amount, all the calculators say to maintain their weight I should be feeding them 4-5oz a day, but they are still really hungry with that amount. I put down 2oz for a morning feeding and the little guy is ready for another helping. I don't want them to become overweight, but I don't want them to feel hungry immediately after they've eaten. How do I know how much is the right amount?
Any advice or insights you have would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I have two boys, litter mates and they are 18mos old. I've had them since they were 4mos and up until last week they have been eating Wellness canned grain free (no kibble). They are both normal weight, big guy is 14lbs, little guy is 11lbs. Big guy is nice and healthy and the little one has had digestion problems (runny stools) that the raw food seems to be helping with.
I've been feeding them rabbit (whole ground no fur/intestines) since Sunday. I've been lucky that the little one just started eating it and hasn't looked back. He goes nuts when he smells it being dished out. Big guy is naturally suspicious of everything so although he will eat a little if I put it in the same dish with his canned food, he's not fully on board yet. I have hope!
My questions revolve around the number of times per day and the amount. Since they were kittens I just got in the habit of feeding them multiple times a day. I've since settled on 3 times a day, but this isn't always convenient. Even though I work from home most days, I travel about twice a month for work and have a sitter come in. I'd like to reduce them to two feedings, once in the mornings around 7am or so, and once in the evenings around 7pm. This would be easier for the sitter and save on sitter cost as well. What is the best way to do this? Since I'm here a lot of the time, at 1pm like clockwork, they are ready to eat. Do I just put up with the begging until they eventually get the picture and stop, or is there some way to transition them? Is two feedings a day better or worse than three?
As to the amount, all the calculators say to maintain their weight I should be feeding them 4-5oz a day, but they are still really hungry with that amount. I put down 2oz for a morning feeding and the little guy is ready for another helping. I don't want them to become overweight, but I don't want them to feel hungry immediately after they've eaten. How do I know how much is the right amount?
Any advice or insights you have would be appreciated.
Thanks!