8/18 Templeton PMPS 140 +1 132 +2 74 +3 58 +3.5 63 +4 55 +4.75 105 + 5.5 88 +9 151

smorgasbord

smorgasbord

Member Since 2021
Previous: 8/17 Templeton AMPS 526 +3 368 +5 328 +7 312 PMPS hi


Does anyone have research or literature that shows feeding cats mini-meals, or feeding more frequently than two times a day is better for them?

I see it referenced here that 2x a day is "old thinking", but can't seem to find anything to back it up.

My sister-in-law feeds her cat, Hero 2x a day. No treats or anything in between. By breakfast, the Hero is chewing on anything she can get her paws on, plastic bags are a favorite. SIL thinks the cat is just doing it to wake her up, because she's steadfast that 2x a day is what is right. In the evening, it's the same story. Destroying the house and climbing on things.
When we lived with her for a few months, it was quickly clear (to me) Hero needed food more frequently.

I want to pass along some information to minimize sounding like a know it all (getting Hero off dry food is my next goal).


This is Hero, she's the sweetest cuddle bug when she's not trying to murder you. I love her so much even so.
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The chewing is called pica. I have a cat that will eat clothing, towels, all kinds of crazy things. I have to put everything away so she won’t eat something and block. She managed to eat pant and jacket cuffs, nightgowns, and even a piece of a bra! I’m not sure feeding more often will change that.
 
tiffmaxee said:
The chewing is called pica. I have a cat that will eat clothing, towels, all kinds of crazy things. I have to put everything away so she won’t eat something and block. She managed to eat pant and jacket cuffs, nightgowns, and even a piece of a bra! I’m not sure feeding more often will change that.
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Yeah, pica. But what if she only does it prior to eating?
 
We say two meals a day is "old thinking" here because it comes from the use of older insulins like Vetsulin that drop a cat fast and hard upon receiving the shot. Frequent meals between shot time and +6 helps the action of Lantus--it smooths out what could potentially be steeper drops in BGs that cause bouncing. Also, because some diabetic cats are also prone to pancreatitis, smaller more frequent meals can alleviate the strain on the pancreas and reduce inflammation that causes pain and flares.

Cats are hunters by nature, and when they are out in the wild they eat when they can, which is often many meals a day. I found this interesting article that cites some studies that also speaks to your SIL's problem with her cat: https://icatcare.org/the-evidence-for-frequent-feeding-of-cats-to-promote-positive-welfare/
 
PerfumedCatMom said:
We say two meals a day is "old thinking" here because it comes from the use of older insulins like Vetsulin that drop a cat fast and hard upon receiving the shot. Frequent meals between shot time and +6 helps the action of Lantus--it smooths out what could potentially be steeper drops in BGs that cause bouncing. Also, because some diabetic cats are also prone to pancreatitis, smaller more frequent meals can alleviate the strain on the pancreas and reduce inflammation that causes pain and flares.

Cats are hunters by nature, and when they are out in the wild they eat when they can, which is often many meals a day. I found this interesting article that cites some studies that also speaks to your SIL's problem with her cat: https://icatcare.org/the-evidence-for-frequent-feeding-of-cats-to-promote-positive-welfare/
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Thank you! I see lots of studies referenced in this article. SIL is very science minded, hopefully this will help.
 
smorgasbord said:
Hmm. And a behavioral habit like that might take a long time to dissipate even it it is food related.
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Minnie's brother Sam does this only when he wants to get my attention to feed him - he hunts out any piece of plastic/plastic bags and won't stop licking it until he knows his food is coming.
 
smorgasbord said:
Yes! "Oh, I'm sure he's totally high, let me just get this quick test before I run out the door to Costco." NOPE.
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What the heck Templeton! That has to be some kind of record haha. Hopefully he stays down and behaves tonight!
smorgasbord said:
I see you got the day off ;)
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Yep, a very flat day for George, but I’ll take the break plus the blues! Still holding my breath for a bounce from the last two days in the limes.
 
Here we have teaspoons and Tablespoons. 3 teaspoons in a Tablespoon. And Tablespoon is capitalized. I think to minimize mistakes in cooking.
 
smorgasbord said:
Yeah, this is why I brought up the fact I was feeding him 20% 2 TBS at a time.
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Yeah, it's possible you may have another crazy night. But if not, I don't want to ruin the cycle with too much carbs. Tightrope :(
Let's see if he stops falling. If not, bring out the ammunition!
 
Bandit's Mom said:
Yeah, it's possible you may have another crazy night. But if not, I don't want to ruin the cycle with too much carbs. Tightrope :(
Let's see if he stops falling. If not, bring out the ammunition!
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Yup, all makes sense to me.
At least tonight he doesn't have a depot from 2.75 dose trying to pull him under 50 for 6 hours straight!
 
smorgasbord said:
Yup, all makes sense to me.
At least tonight he doesn't have a depot from 2.75 dose trying to pull him under 50 for 6 hours straight!
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Actually, the size of the dose doesn't matter. If he is headed lower in dosing, even 1.75/1.5 is enough for him to give you another crazy cycle. Test in half an hour? An hour?
Has he settled down? Still looking ravenous?
 
Bandit's Mom said:
Actually, the size of the dose doesn't matter. If he is headed lower in dosing, even 1.75/1.5 is enough for him to give you another crazy cycle. Test in half an hour? An hour?
Has he settled down? Still looking ravenous?
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Oh goodie goodie gumdrops.

I'll do 30 to get ahead of anything. He's decided he's had enough to bathe himself. Feeling satiated for now.
 
smorgasbord said:
But he sits for the tests as soon as I grab the bottle of testing strips. And continues to sit in the testing zone when we're done. No treats involved.
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What a good boy!

Budge comes running when she hears the snap of the strips bottle because she knows there may be a snack involved after the test and always tries to get lucky - in case Bandit leaves something behind, or I melt at the sight of her goo-goo eyes and give her also a snack.
 
Bandit's Mom said:
What a good boy!

Budge comes running when she hears the snap of the strips bottle because she knows there may be a snack involved after the test and always tries to get lucky - in case Bandit leaves something behind, or I melt at the sight of her goo-goo eyes and give her also a snack.
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Awww. That's too much. I would not be able to resist. Still need a photo of Budge!
 
Oh my goodness. "mom, excuse me, were you forgetting something".
What a cutie. I love her coat. I've never seen anything like it.
 
Ok, now I need photos of them cuddling. That's the only thing, I wish I had gotten a friend for Temp. They could play and cuddle and clean each other.
I can see them creating havoc together though, that twinkle in Bandit's eye...
 
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