How Much To Feed Cat

>How much to feed a cat is the subject of many questions I receive both in my practice and online. It's actually a very important question. The answer is not as simple as you may think.

There's a lot of myths, misinformation, and general lack of knowledge regarding feeding a cat.

Just today I got one of those emails. It simply said "How much should I feed my cat?" The answer is always the same. I don't know.

Hmmmm.., you're probably wondering if this so-called experienced, educated feline vet actually doesn't know anything after all. How could I say "I don't know" to such an easy question?

I say I don't know" because NO ONE KNOWS!

How much should you eat? Is it the same amount as your neighbor? Is the same amount as your daughter? Is the same amount as your husband? Is the same amount as the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Of course not. You come from a different gene pool, have different metabolism, and exercise more or less than anyone else. We are all different.

That is true of cats also. If you have more than one cat, you know that any two cats are different from each other. One sleeps more than the other. One is "friskier" than the other. One runs up and down the stairs while the other lies on the landing for long periods of time. And, quite possibly, one came from one mother and the other from a different.

How then can anyone tell you how much to feed them? No one can.

When you see on the side of a bag or can of food the recommended daily amount to feed your cat, ignore it. Sometimes it say 1/2 cup while the obese cat I'm examining only eats 1/4 cup each day. Sometimes it says 1/4 cup when the slender kitty that is my next appointment eats one whole cup a day.

The only way you can possibly find out how much to feed your cat is by trial and error. To do this, you need to buy a digital scale, a notebook, and a set of measuring cups.

Start by thinking back or recording your actions for the next few days as to how much you usually put in the dish. If you don't know, feed a little more than usual for a few days. Be sure and measure it out carefully. Write it down, and write down how much is left exactly 24 hours later. Subtract that from the starting number and you'll know how much your cat ate in 24 hours.

Do that for several days and then figure out the average. That is the amount you're going to feed each day for awhile.

At the same time, you need an initial weight for your cat. Stand on your digital scale alone (yes, you have to) and record your weight. Then hold your cat and record the weight. Obviously, subtract and you'll have your cat's weight. Write it down!!!

Every week, do exactly the same thing. Always re-weigh yourself first, then hold your kitty to get the combined weight, and then subtract. Write it down!!!

If your cat's weight stays the same, then the amount you are feeding is roughly maintenance for your cat at his present size. If he is losing weight and you don't want him to, then you need to feed more. If he is gaining weight, then you need to feed less.

You need to repeat this cycle over and over before you can find out what amount of food it takes for your cat to be a certain weight.

No, I'm not kidding. It takes discipline and organization and restraint, sort of like when we try to lose weight ourselves. But it's the only way.

Oh, and PLEASE follow this rule. Do not let your cat lose more than 1/2 pound per month. If a cat loses weight too quickly, he is in danger of developing hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome) and trust me, you absolutely don't want that to happen!

So, again, no more than 1/2 pound of weight loss per month. Even if your cat needs to lose 10 pounds,(look at the picture below if you don't think that's possible!) don't let him lose more than 6 pounds per year.

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