Feeding Your Cat

[Kalei]

I have started them today for the first day on their Science Diet. This morning I gave them 1/2 cup each...which once I put it in the bowl and Kalypso didn't eat it all...I realized this was still probably too much food. I might try putting down a 1/3 cup..only because Kalypso eats and walks away, but Ninja is a growing kitty and he eats alot and gets hungry because he is so active.

I hope to see an improvement in Kalypso's bm's so I don't have to take her to the vet..we will see if Science Diet lives up to it's expectations and cost lol.

Thanks very much for all your replies. This has been so helpful. I questioned putting this thread up, but I am glad I did because you all have helped me out alot. I can't believe I have been free feeding all my life and now see how many of you do not free feed. And when it all comes down to it..it seems whatever you do depends on your cat :P

[Freedom]

Is this a Science Diet prescription food?

Or just the one we buy at PetCo, PetsMart, and so forth? Because this version is not a healthy food for cats.

Here is a cat food rating link, which you may find of interest:
http://www.petfoodratings.net/cattable.html

[catmandu]

I have always left the dry food out all day , free feeding style and then the canned food is fed on demand.

Actually things are much quieter with only Four Found Cats I remember the heyday of the Found Cat Hotel, when the sound of a click of a Fancy Feast Can would bring the Clowder of 11 Hungrees!!
For the Good Old Days.

[Kalei]

Is this a Science Diet prescription food?

Or just the one we buy at PetCo, PetsMart, and so forth? Because this version is not a healthy food for cats.

Here is a cat food rating link, which you may find of interest:
http://www.petfoodratings.net/cattable.html

Thanks for the information Freedom. I went and looked at the ingredients in my Science Diet food, and it is still better than alot of Wal-mart brands, but you are right in the face that it's still not the best...and one of the main parts is Corn Meal. I would think since so many people use it, vets say good things about it, people tell me their cat's fur has gotten nicer once on Science Diet, that they wouldn't be able to sell it for 19.00 a small bag if it wasn't good.

It's weird...but I still think it's better than the Special Kitty I was buying them, and it's for Sensitive Stomachs, I guess I will just see how Kalypso reacts to it..so far they really like the food.

[dehlers43]

I hope to see an improvement in Kalypso's bm's so I don't have to take her to the vet..we will see if Science Diet lives up to it's expectations and cost lol.:P

BM issues often go away if you add canned pumpkin to kitty's food....the plain stuff, not the pumpkin pie stuff....
The funny thing is, it works for constipation and diarrhea both. A teaspoon or so mixed with wet food or even with lactose-free milk can work wonders and it's cheap!

[happylabs]

Not sure, but I keep food out for my 3 all of the time. None of them are piggies (yet).

[NicoleLJ]

Zen gets fed 3/4 of a cup of his Blue food in the morning. It usually lasts till late afternoon. Then in the evening he also gets a 1/2 can of wet cat food. He is a growing kitten still so we free feed. Once he is neutered next month and a few months older we will switch him to two small feedings. One in the morning and one in the evening and then the canned food in the afternoon. I always found my cats did best on this schedule.

[Kalei]

Thanks for everyone's answers! It has given me lots of knowledge as to what sizes of cups and whatnot I should feed.

Starting yesterday morning, I have got them eating 1/3 cup of Science Diet in the morning. And half a can of Fancy Feast in the afternoon, and 1/4 cup of science diet again at supper/nighttime.

Hopefully this will work out and I will see an improvement in Kalypso's bm's. I will give it a few days and see if it changes from diarrhea to normal or not and of course if the blood goes away...and if it keeps happening I will need to take a sample into the vet cause it could be a parasite.

It seem so far that with the feeding and how much, it really probably is difference depending on your cat! Makes ya get to know em more