Free Feeding

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ctmorris

ctmorris

Member Since 2015
Does anyone here do free feeding? For the most part I let Lucky eat what she wants through the day. I will now be taking her food away 2 hours before testing but want to know if it is ok to free feed her rather than just AM and PM meals. I fear she won't eat enough that way. She is a tiny kitty at only a little over 9 lbs.
 
Is that a current photo of Lucky in your avatar?

Free-feeding is not the best way to go with a diabetic kitty. Although some here do multiple meals spread through the 12-hour cycle, portion control is still very, very important. It is helpful to think of your diabetic kitty's food along the lines of it being "medicine," too - not unlike the insulin itself. And the amount you feed/ how you feed/ carb-level of what you feed can either work with the insulin or against it.
 
That picture of Lucky is about 3.5 months old now. I was living in the NW when that was taken now live in southern cal. I was not testing her back then which I now feel HORRIBLE about - but testing now. The carb content of the foods she is getting are all less than 7% most around 3 to 4% from a calorie percentage make up of the food. I assume that it is important to be consistent in how I feed. I have to travel frequently for work and have pet sitters who come in 2 times a day for her shot and feeding but they leave the food out so she comes back and eats bits throughout the day. When I am working from home I give her more small meals when she asks so that the food doesn't get dried out. But pretty much she asks and I've been giving her some. Clearly I need to put some discipline around how I feed too.
 
Yes, her portions have to be enough to maintain a healthy, weight - but no more! Over-feeding a cat can be one of the big problems in getting a kitty's blood glucose regulated. Keep in mind that until she is well regulated, she will continue to hound you for food; that's the diabetes talking.
 
Are there timed feeders for wet food?? Where do you get them? I had an auto feeder for dry food (still have) but dry has more carbs so I don't want to give her that.
 
Yes, there sure are. You can get them at any pet store, pet site or on sites like Amazon.
Check out PetSafe Electronic Pet Feeder on Amazon.
 
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I found that free-feeding a low carb canned food reduced weight in my non-diabetic cats without even trying and the diabetics maintained decent weights without measuring or worrying about portions.
Your mileage may vary.
 
BJM said:
I found that free-feeding a low carb canned food reduced weight in my non-diabetic cats without even trying and the diabetics maintained decent weights without measuring or worrying about portions.
Your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...
Wow, you're lucky to have cats like that, BJ! If I tried doing that with mine, she'd be at 15 lbs in no time.
(I guess it's all true: ECID!:))
 
Vyktor was always free fed and I continued to do that when he was on insulin (apart from picking up the food two hours prior to shots). As long as your kitty isn't an over eater it is an excellent way for a cat on lantus to eat. For other types of insulin that aren't as gentle perhaps not so much? Free feeders generally graze so it puts less stress on the pancreas and when they suddenly go and vacuum up what's in the bowl it also gives you the heads up that they really need a test!
 
I'm waiting on a bag of Evo cat and kitten turkey & chicken Dry food. With 4 "regular" cats and one diabetic waking me up at 6 a.m. I have to come up with something. I live in Florida, so I don't think I could leave canned food out to free feed. Super hot right now (pretty much all the time lol) and it would stink :/ I really need something that will work for everyone (humans included).
This is a bit stressful sometimes and I'm only 1/2 way there.
 
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