Food quantity and determining a healthy weight

[Margie and Jackson]

How are you determining whether your cat is at a healthy weight?
Jackson has gained about 3 pounds since he came home with me and he might be just on the edge of overweight.
I’m trying to track how much he eats. I’ve just been giving him food mostly when he wants it, but now I want to slow down the weight gain. He can eat incredible amounts of food. I’m trying to be more restrained lately, but I think he’s getting close to 40 calories per pound. He has roughly 7 feedings a day, because he’s spoiled, and he has an auto feeder.

my Civvie cats get about 25 calories per pound.

Is it possible Jackson needs more food than normal because of the diabetes? Any tips on cutting back?

 

[SpotsMom]

I got a baby scale for Spot and weighed him about once a week. As he started to gain I gradually reduced his food intake. He went from eating double what my civvie gets to now they both get the same amount. It could be possible he needs more food if his diabetes is not well controlled or if he has an absorption issue, but it sounds like he’s gaining weight just fine, so I probably wouldn’t worry too much about that.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

@Jill & Alex (GA) resurrected this thread about overfeeding recently. Feed Kitty as Much As They Want (includes calorie/weight counter).

 

[Margie and Jackson]

I got a baby scale for Spot and weighed him about once a week. As he started to gain I gradually reduced his food intake. He went from eating double what my civvie gets to now they both get the same amount. It could be possible he needs more food if his diabetes is not well controlled or if he has an absorption issue, but it sounds like he’s gaining weight just fine, so I probably wouldn’t worry too much about that.

Was it a painful process to cut back? Did he get used to it and seem satisfied?

 

[Margie and Jackson]

@Jill & Alex (GA) resurrected this thread about overfeeding recently. Feed Kitty as Much As They Want (includes calorie/weight counter).

Oh my God. The case studies of obese cats are so disturbing and sad. Definitely motivating me not to overfeed, though.

 

[Margie and Jackson]

I got a baby scale for Spot and weighed him about once a week. As he started to gain I gradually reduced his food intake. He went from eating double what my civvie gets to now they both get the same amount. It could be possible he needs more food if his diabetes is not well controlled or if he has an absorption issue, but it sounds like he’s gaining weight just fine, so I probably wouldn’t worry too much about that.

He gained weight quickly while I was away. I told the petsitter to be sure he had food to keep his blood glucose from falling too low. He was eating tons, maybe 5 cans a day?

 

[SpotsMom]

Was it a painful process to cut back? Did he get used to it and seem satisfied?

It wasn’t too painful. He’s raw fed so I measure his food in oz instead of # cans. He was eating up to 16oz at one point (compare to a little over 5 cans), and once he reached a weight that I considered normal, I would weigh him weekly and if he was higher than the week before, reduce food 1oz at a time. He finally evened out at 8oz per day, and he seems content at that. He went from 7.5lbs to over 12lbs... which is a little much for him, but he also has chronic pancreatitis so at any moment he could go off his food.. I’m ok with him being a little fluffy for the time being

 

[FurBabiesMama]

If you Google 'cat body condition chart', there are several charts available that help you visibly determine if your cat's weight is good or too low or too high. The vet should be able to offer input on this as well.

 

[Margie and Jackson]

It wasn’t too painful. He’s raw fed so I measure his food in oz instead of # cans. He was eating up to 16oz at one point (compare to a little over 5 cans), and once he reached a weight that I considered normal, I would weigh him weekly and if he was higher than the week before, reduce food 1oz at a time. He finally evened out at 8oz per day, and he seems content at that. He went from 7.5lbs to over 12lbs... which is a little much for him, but he also has chronic pancreatitis so at any moment he could go off his food.. I’m ok with him being a little fluffy for the time being

Congratulations on getting him at a healthy weight!

 

[Margie and Jackson]

If you Google 'cat body condition chart', there are several charts available that help you visibly determine if your cat's weight is good or too low or too high. The vet should be able to offer input on this as well.

Dr Lisa mentions losing muscle from a diet with not enough protein. So I’m concerned about that. Jackson also seems to have wasted muscle in his back legs which can give the impression that he is too thin. He seems pudgy if he’s laying down. I will google those charts. I asked the vet at his last appointment too, but I don’t actually remember if she answered! I was worried about something else.