posted 02-21-2004 10:45 AM         

Basically it says if your cat weighs 10 lbs they should get 2/5 cup of dry food plus 1/2 of a 5.5 oz of soft food (per day). Or just 2/3 cup of dry food and no soft food (per day). Handsome would be skin and bones!

posted 02-21-2004 01:21 PM         

When i worked for the animal adoption centre here in the uk we used to feed more dry and found that the cats were having either very runny stools or they were becoming constipated so the vet told us to reduce the amount they were having and this worked.

Also since your cats are also getting canned meat the amount of dry needs to be reduced or his soft food reduced.

But what my mum does with her cats is just put soft food out and hard and they eat what they want when they want as she says if they want to eat they will and if they dont they wont so i wuld go with what you feel is best and what makes your cat happy.

posted 02-21-2004 07:30 PM         

Dolly: Thank you for your input. It seems like the amount you feed is pretty close to the feeding label on my bag. The thing is if Handsome ate the same amount as your male kitty he would be too thin.

Charmedagain: I feed Handsome very high quality food. I'm not sure if they have Wellness cat food in the U.K; but that's what I feed him. I'm still waiting to get Newman's Own shipped in to see the label. So far I only have the hard food. Handsome will be 3 yrs. in June and he's always had this amount of food. According to my vet he's a very healthy kitty. I think if I gave him less food he would be under-weight.

MaryNH: Thanks for the input on the amount of food you feed your kitties. I did see the weight chart when you posted it for someone else last week. It's a good visual guidline. He's at the proper weight. He's actually very muscular. Maybe that's why he weighs in at 12.5 lbs, but looks like he's at a proper weight.

Nern: Thank you for telling me how much food you feed your kitties. It seems like you and Dolly and MaryNH feed around the same amount (or close to it) of food for your cats. I realize the feeding labels are just a guidline, but I'm feeding Handsome about 3X the amount recommended!

Handsome has always had great vet care and excellent check-ups. He's never had any health problems. He's always in great form (mentally and physically). The thing is I am beginning to wonder now, if maybe he just has a high metabolism. He sure has a lot of energy and exercises (plays) a lot. What do you all think?

posted 02-22-2004 12:09 PM         

Thanks everyone for telling me how much food you feed your kitties. It seems like Handsome is the odd ball out, being as he is fed way more than any of your kitties. I'll ask my vet about him possibly having a high metabolism.

I'm glad I have not answered any posts about how much to feed a kitty. Can you imagine if I was the only one that replied and I suggested that they feed them as much as Handsome!? Then a few months later they would post again saying their cat was now 25 pounds and if this was normal!?

Also, you should all be glad that I have not done any petsitting for your kitties. By the time you came back, your kitties would have to be rolled out the door, they'd be so fat.

Kyle101-There is a post by MaryNH about cat paws. If you have any pics of Pepe's huge paws that would be fun to see them posted.

Elizavixen: LOL

FMgurl43: Thank you for the input.

Dolly: I think you're right. This does seem to be the case with people too.

Anyway, I would still like to know how much others feed their cats. You're input is appreciated. Thanks!

posted 02-22-2004 03:50 PM         

My cats and dogs are self feeders for dry food. I also give\ a small size cat wet for the cats and regular size can wet (pro plan) for the dogs every morning.

posted 02-23-2004 07:29 AM         

Anyone know if it takes away nutrients? I suppose I could ask the people that make his food (Wellness Pet Food).