The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
How Much to Feed? (Part 1)
Hi, Tracie. I wrote a few weeks ago about my huge ragdoll cat, weighing in at about 23 pounds. I have changed his and our other cat’s diet to all wet food, from your recommended list. I started with Whiska and 9 Lives brands, and am switching to Newman’s Own today, to get them acclimated. I’m a bit puzzled as to the recommended servings they quote. I’ve been giving each cat ½ of a 5 oz. can in the morning, and again in the evening -- two 5oz. cans between them a day. The recommended serving on the can states, one can for every 6-8 pounds of body weight. That would mean increasing the quantity to approximately five cans of food a day. Is this insane? I think my cats would explode! Please advise. Are my cats getting enough food? I’m concerned that, by feeding them so little, it’s affecting their metabolism. I’d appreciate any input you can give me. Thanks for your time. I love your show.
From: Joan, via the Internet
Dear Joan,
I discussed your question with my trusted friend and consultant Lynette Ackman at www.felineoutreach.org. She generally starts by feeding 6 to 8 ozs. daily per cat, total. (Two meals of about 3 ozs. each.) The general rule is to approximate the cat’s ideal weight (say, ten pounds), and feed twenty calories per pound per day to lose weight; twenty-five calories per pound per day to maintain; and thirty calories per pound per day to gain weight. If the ideal weight is ten pounds and the cat needs to lose -- that would be two hundred calories. That’s about two 3-oz. cans (or one 5.5 oz. can) daily. Every cat is different, so start at about 6 to 8 oz. daily, and increase or decrease as necessary to obtain the desired results.
And you’re correct -- if the cat does not take in enough protein, it will suffer from what could become fatty liver disease, which could be fatal if not promptly treated.
Tracie Hotchner
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
