Food amounts and schedules

[bjg]

I'm looking for resources on how to determine how much food is the correct amount to feed a diabetic cat when starting out. He needs to lose a bit of weight. Before becoming diabetic, he ate dry food and I left it out for him to eat when he wanted to (ie. often). I've switched him gradually to 2 meals of 3 oz of wet food each, plus a handful of dry food for a third meal. Soon that third meal will be wet as well. His wet food is low carb. The amount suggested on the tins is really far from the amount he's actually eating. He's currently 22 lb. I've been guessing so far because I've been in a hurry to switch him to wet and a meal schedule. I'd really like to get this right, though. Also, any thoughts on 3 meals/day? What's the best option? Thanks for any help!

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

Here is a great resource in determining how much your cat should eat: http://catinfo.org/?link=felineobesity#Implementing_a_Safe_Weight-Loss_Program. If you can find a food with a higher protein content and lower fat (but still low carb), the extra weight comes off easier because you don't have to restrict calories as much as you do with premium high calorie foods like Evo or Wellness. Merricks has several foods that fit this bill--I used them for weight loss with Bandit and they worked fantastically.

It's also better for cats on a weight loss program AND diabetic cats to eat several small meals a day, rather than large ones. I feed Bandit 4 times a day, when he needed to lose weight it was closer to 6 times a day. You can leave out frozen food or get an auto feeder to help you out feeding that frequently if need be. I don't think I'd recommend feeding a diabetic an less than 4 times a day.

Also, what do his blood glucose levels look like? Is he regulated or unregulated? Is he on insulin? If so, what kind? This makes a difference--if his diabetes is uncontrolled I would hold off on the weight loss plan until you get him regulated. Uncontrolled diabetics are literally starving because they are not properly metabolizing their food. If you're having trouble regulating him, maybe we can help.