Frequency of feeding

[ericbakes]

Hello, everyone. I was wondering if I could get your thoughts on the recommended frequency of feeding.

Our cats have always been grazers, but in order to prevent them from eating too much, several months ago I started putting out small servings -- 20-30grams of wet -- at a time. Unless we're gone for an extended time, they usually get 4-6 such feedings (generally 2 in the morning, 6am and 8am, and 3 at night, around 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm). These feedings are based on how much they pester me. If I feed them more than 20-30 grams of food, Choppy and Melville will leave it, which our fatso, Baxter, promptly gobbles up.

Now that Melville is diabetic, I'm having trouble understanding the best feeding schedule. If I feed him regularly throughout the day, how does this change the interpretation of glucose readings?

I've also gotten into the habit of feeding Melville well before his scheduled shot. If he gets a shot at 8pm. I might feed him at 4 and 6 or 7. I'm starting to think that I need to feed him closer to his shot, so skip the 4:00, feed at 6:30, shoot at 7:00. Does that sound about right?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. His glucose readings have shown a general upwards trend, with pre-feeding lows up from 130 to around 200. Today, he hit 400, but I took that reading after his 4:00 and 7:00 feedings, so I suspect that it's a bit skewed.

(If anyone is interested, here is a link to his spreadsheet: http://bit.ly/u0od9f)

 

[Larry and Kitties]

All my kitties get fed twice a day. Feeding throughout the day or more than twice a day is OK to. Regarding effect on BGs, as long as the feeding amount and time is consistent day the day, you interpret the BGs the same.

 

[Teresa and Poopy]

Before Poopy was diagnosed, I kept dry food out 24/7 and fed wet as a treat. Having to change their feeding habits was a bit noisy around here for a few days.

My non-diabetic kitty, Mia, only would eat enough as if a treat, even with no other food available. It took her a couple of days to realize she needed to eat her portion if she wanted to eat. Poopy, on the other hand, has always been a big eater so would eat his portion then start on hers. I didn't take it away since he'd lost so much weight and figured he needed it. I'd also give him a couple extra bites when he really demanded it or after attempts at poking for testing. With him eating full meals, it's easy for me to see he IS eating and can give his shot.

It might be difficult at first, but have you thought of reducing the feedings to only twice a day? Often, in the wild, cats would only have one or two meals a day. I know they aren't in the wild now, but having only two meals a day won't hurt them. Just a thought.