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Skinny Minny

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Koda Loves to love     Purred: Mon Dec 19, '11 9:21pm PST  Hi all! I am getting a bit on the skinny side. I have always been slim but I think it might be getting worse. I have been eating Orijen dry for about a half a year and before that I was fed Evo dry and sometimes Natural Balance wet. The food is left out all day but I only eat when Mommy is with me. Even when I put out wet food, I never finish it all. My roommate has a cat in the apartment too and he eats regular Iams dry but I don't eat that either (thankfully). I don't know if the problem is the food, if I need more wet or if it's just because I won't eat unless my Mom is sitting next to me petting me every couple bites to keep me eating. I have always been a high maintenance eater like that. Are there any foods that encourage cats to eat? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Ralphie &- Randy 1201140     Purred: Tue Dec 20, '11 8:09am PST  I switched my cats to an all-wet diet several months ago because I personally believe it's better for them, but I would never leave wet food sitting out all day. I would worry that it might spoil or attract insects. If your schedule permits, you could try sitting next to Koda while she eats to make sure she finishes her food and is getting enough. You could also try giving her smaller meals more times per day, again if your schedule will allow it, to see if she'll eat more food overall that way. Wet food can be kept covered in the fridge between meals, and warmed before serving. Ralphie used to be a "high maintenance eater" too. He would eat, then take a break, then eat, then have a nap, or whatever. It took him about an hour most days to finish a meal, and he always wanted one of his humans next to him while he ate. Goofball. But now that Randy the Bottomless Pit is here, Ralphie has to finish his meals in one sitting, or Randy will finish both of their meals. I have to sit with them while they eat and make sure Randy doesn't try to take over Ralphie's bowl. my posts | my page | msg me | gift me | become friends [notify]

Koda Loves to love     Purred: Tue Dec 20, '11 2:29pm PST  Thanks Ralphie & Randy! I do have time to sit with Koda whenever he wants to eat and I usually do. But when he walks away I have to put it away or the other kitty will eat it all up. About how much dry food equals a meal? I am going to start giving him wet food more, now that I can afford to again. So how many cans of wet should he be eating? He weighs 10 lbs. But for a male Ragdoll, that's quite small and I can easily feel his spine. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Koda Loves to love     Purred: Tue Dec 20, '11 2:30pm PST  Also, I know a lot of cats go on wet food to lose weight. Does this mean I should not do that? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Ralphie &- Randy 1201140     Purred: Tue Dec 20, '11 4:28pm PST  I'm not a food expert, but I believe the theory behind wet food for weight loss is because dry food contains unnecessary carbs that cause weight gain. Wet food is a good way to make sure they're getting all the protein and moisture they need without alot of fillers that make them pack on the pounds. I don't believe wet food is strictly for overweight kitties, though. A too-slim cat, like Koda, may just need more food overall to help him put on a few pounds, and that can be accomplished with a wet food diet. I think it would be a good idea to try adding an extra meal each day. Just like kittens need to be fed multiple small meals per day, maybe Koda would do better on the same type of schedule. As far as amounts, that will depend on your particular cat, and might take some experimenting to find the right amount. My full-grown cat is just under 10 pounds, but that is a good weight for his frame. He eats half a 5.5 ounce can in the morning, half a 5.5 ounce can in the afternoon, and half a 3 ounce can in the evening. He splits the cans with his younger, still-growing brother, and the ration is perfect for the full-grown cat to maintain his weight and for the younger one to gain weight steadily. We have a baby scale that we use to weigh them every week or so, so we can monitor their weight and make adjustments to their diets if necessary. my posts | my page | msg me | gift me | become friends [notify]

BK Ambassador at- the Kitty U.N.     Purred: Thu Dec 22, '11 4:29am PST  Koda, wet food is recommended for overweight cats because it's higher in protein and lower in carbs which are often what causes weight gain. In a normal or low weight cat it will still help build muscle instead of fat. In any event, the more canned you can give her the better for her health. I would also recommend more meals per day if possible. You might also see if there's anything around that would increase the amount she eats at each sitting, or the number of meals she eats per day. Some people sprinkle parmesan cheese, or they make something called Kitty Caviar which is dried bonito flakes that some cats LOVE. Be patient too - it takes a while, but you can do it! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Maizy I may meow to- you if you're- worthy     Purred: Thu Dec 22, '11 7:14am PST  The parmesan cheese works great. At least for my boys. I have the same issue with Maizy though. She was an only cat for 3 years, and at that time ate mostly dry (if I only knew then, etc) and it was out all the time. She was not receptive to wet at all, but we've been working on it. So now I give her a portion of wet in the morning, she gets some dry at lunch time, then more wet for dinner, and a few bites of dry for a snack. The problem she has is that if she eats too much at one time, she barfs. I completely understand how frustrating it can be. I am constantly hovering to make sure the boys leaver her alone - I had to put her bowl up on my dresser. But I am slowly trying to give her more wet. I know there is a formula for the calories they need to maintain weight. I will try & find it. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Hunter Master of- Disaster!     Purred: Thu Dec 22, '11 8:16am PST  Sometimes I think Hunter has the same issue. To me, he is really skinny. I can feel his spine and his ribs. Last year, at his 1 year vet exam, I even mentioned it to his vet. She said that he is at a perfect weight. I chalked it up to being so used to looking at an 18lbs overweight cat (My other cat Hanna was so overweight). Still, almost a year later, he still looks too skinny for my liking. Hunter isn't a big eater either. He eats 3oz of wet for breakfast, about 1/4 cup of Orijen during the day, half of 5.5 can of wet at night. He never finishes his nightly dinner. The only time he'll finish it, if he eats Lamb. God does that cat like Lamb. Its ridiculous. Anyway, my vet also said that Hunter will only eat what he needs. She called him a 'self regulator'. He is also super active, jumping all over the place, chasing the dog, running around like a lunatic. I think all the exercise he gets plus what little food he eats, he is maintaining his weight. At this point, I can't imagine Hunter ever weighing in more than 10 pounds. If you want your cat to weigh more, feed him fatty foods, like Lamb. Natures Variety has a lamb variety. Thats what I feed Hunter sometimes. Its his favorite. Does your vet think your cat is at a decent weight? Maybe Koda is just small for his breed. I know If I were to shave Hunter, he would be one skinny boy!! He is all floof!! Have you tried Eagle Pack Holistic transition? It helps the transition between foods. If Hunter is being picky, I sprinkle it on top and he goes to town. He loves it. Plus its a probiotic I believe, which can't hurt. Hunter doesn't get any people food, whatsoever, so I don't do the grated cheese thing. You could also get some Temptation treats, crush them up and sprinkle that on top of wet food. That might work out. The formula for cat Calories is this: weight of cat x 13.6 plus 70 = the amount of calories per day. So for Hunter, he weights about 9.5 pounds it would equal out to 199.2 calories, so I'd say 200 calories per day. So if you want Koda to eat more (gain weight) you would feed him more than what he needs. Hope this helps! Good Luck! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Amber I didn't do it!     Purred: Thu Dec 22, '11 8:29pm PST  Okay, now I am confused and a little worried. Amber is still what I consider slightly overweight, and she only eats four ounces of food per day. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

BK Ambassador at- the Kitty U.N.     Purred: Fri Dec 23, '11 11:40am PST  Amber, that's not that much but don't forget - every cat is different. BK eats more than our fosters but doesn't gain weight. We've had other fosters seem to gain weight by *looking* at food. As long as she doesn't lose weight too fast - that's the most important thing. Is she begging for more? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

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