? Big John - Lantus newbie - food schedule ?

[Yvonne & Andy &BJ (GA)]

I just adopted Big John and need some ideas on how to transition him from free-feeding/grazing to some type of schedule. I have 20 other cats so he must be contained for meals. He only nibbles throughout the day and I don't want him contained all the time. His previous owner pretty much fed him whenever he was hungry. He is a large cat, I think overweight but have not had him to my vet yet. All ideas welcome including search tips for this.

(I am thinking that changing from N to Lantus may also factor into this because of the slower insulin action; he may not be as hungry at one time?)

 

[Yvonne & Andy &BJ (GA)]

I should have mentioned he is on DM wet and dry; I've been mixing FF pate with his wet DM and he eats it so far. Goal is to eventually also get him off the DM.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Normally, when feeding schedule topics come up, I point to the AAHA Guidelines (link in signature) which say that feeding four times a day is ideal and that free-feeding is okay if the cat is underweight. I feed my girls four times a day and leave the leftovers out for them to graze on until the next meal or until two hours before Mia's pre-shot insulin test. But, you have special challenges with so many cats, especially if Big John is overweight. Are you planning to allow the others to continue to free-feed while he goes to a feeding schedule or can you put them all on the same schedule? Any chance they could all be on the same food and schedule so that you do not have to 'contain' him somewhere?

 

[Yvonne & Andy &BJ (GA)]

Normally, when feeding schedule topics come up, I point to the AAHA Guidelines (link in signature) which say that feeding four times a day is ideal and that free-feeding is okay if the cat is underweight. I feed my girls four times a day and leave the leftovers out for them to graze on until the next meal or until two hours before Mia's pre-shot insulin test. But, you have special challenges with so many cats, especially if Big John is overweight. Are you planning to allow the others to continue to free-feed while he goes to a feeding schedule or can you put them all on the same schedule? Any chance they could all be on the same food and schedule so that you do not have to 'contain' him somewhere?

All my other cats are on the same schedule, 2 meals plus 1 snack - no free-feeding. We had progress yesterday - he ate on the same schedule - took a little longer but ate 3/4 of his dinner - then this am, he ate most of it and finished the rest within the hour. I have to contain him but I do contain my other diabetic and another cat with a special diet so that is no problem. He is a fast learner - seems like as soon as I post asking for advice, he figures it out himself. I think part of the reason he was not eating as much was that he was homesick for his previous owner and his other cat buddy.

I want to watch his calories but would like some advice from my vet to determine how overweight he really is. He is quite big compared to my other cats.

I also ordered one of those feeding dishes activated by an electronic chip which may come in handy for other situations also. Thanks for your comments.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

I also ordered one of those feeding dishes activated by an electronic chip which may come in handy for other situations also.

I hope that works out for you. I have two of them and have been unsuccessful in getting my girls to use them once I set the lid to have any movement. I had high hopes for them.. sure would help when you need to make sure the right one eats something in particular.

 

[Yvonne & Andy &BJ (GA)]

I hope that works out for you. I have two of them and have been unsuccessful in getting my girls to use them once I set the lid to have any movement. I had high hopes for them.. sure would help when you need to make sure the right one eats something in particular.

I will let you know how it works out. Even if one of those that needs contained would use it, it would be a help. Fingers crossed!
At least he is eating now - I believe that's what boosted his #'s overnight.