Well we are fighting the Battle of the Bulge here and I am curious as to what others are feeding in Calories per pound body weight and whether or not their cats are thin, just right, overweight, or obese.
I am in the process of switching from free fed dry to not free fed wet/raw/homemade. I used to feed a measured amount 2x daily, but even though they were eating what an 8 lb cat should eat they varied in weight between 12 and 16 pounds. Switching to free feeding didn't change their weight for the worse or better, but did help the inappropriate urinating some.(that is a whole other story, LOL)
I have a "fat cat" vet appointment next Monday with a new vet, and I am hoping she is knowledgable on the current thoughts about cat nutrition. I say hoping, but I am not holding my breath. We are so rural that I am lucky to find a vet at all. Our horse vet who is two hours away is great with horse and dog nutrition and weight control.....but he doesn't know what to do for fat cats. He said diets don't work, diet food doesn't work and the risk of hepatic lipidosis is too great. ( I am extremely paranoid about HL, have been down that road once and never want to take it again).
So now I am trying the new vet for the fat cats. Sheesh.
Anyway, I have done lots of searching and found recommendations that range from 18 to 30 calories per pound body weight, this is for non-pregnant, average activity cats. That is a rediculously wide range in my opinion. I thought i would take a poll here and see what everyone else was feeding if they know. Please everyone give your input. I know this isn't scientific, but I would like to see if we can narrow down that range at least a little bit.
Question 1. Do you feed wet or dry or both?
Question 2. Do you feed measured amounts throughout the day or free feed?
Question 3. How much does each cat weigh and how many calories do they get each day. ( if you free feed and donlt know please answer as such)
and in your opinion what is your cats body condition score.
I am in the process of switching from free fed dry to not free fed wet/raw/homemade. I used to feed a measured amount 2x daily, but even though they were eating what an 8 lb cat should eat they varied in weight between 12 and 16 pounds. Switching to free feeding didn't change their weight for the worse or better, but did help the inappropriate urinating some.(that is a whole other story, LOL)
I have a "fat cat" vet appointment next Monday with a new vet, and I am hoping she is knowledgable on the current thoughts about cat nutrition. I say hoping, but I am not holding my breath. We are so rural that I am lucky to find a vet at all. Our horse vet who is two hours away is great with horse and dog nutrition and weight control.....but he doesn't know what to do for fat cats. He said diets don't work, diet food doesn't work and the risk of hepatic lipidosis is too great. ( I am extremely paranoid about HL, have been down that road once and never want to take it again).
So now I am trying the new vet for the fat cats. Sheesh.
Anyway, I have done lots of searching and found recommendations that range from 18 to 30 calories per pound body weight, this is for non-pregnant, average activity cats. That is a rediculously wide range in my opinion. I thought i would take a poll here and see what everyone else was feeding if they know. Please everyone give your input. I know this isn't scientific, but I would like to see if we can narrow down that range at least a little bit.
Question 1. Do you feed wet or dry or both?
Question 2. Do you feed measured amounts throughout the day or free feed?
Question 3. How much does each cat weigh and how many calories do they get each day. ( if you free feed and donlt know please answer as such)
and in your opinion what is your cats body condition score.