How much to feed?

[bookw0rm]

We are in the process of trying to switch to canned food with a picky diabetic. I am trying to figure out how much to expect to feed my boys once we kick the dry. I know this comes up periodically, but I'm confused since all I've found doesn't match.

I have seen 20 cal/lb batted around but can't find it referenced. Binky's page says 20-30 or 15 for older cats.

Can says .75-1 oz/lb.

Catinfo says 4-6 oz or 150-250 cal.

Dr. Greco's notes say 300 kcal/kg but that's like 135 cal/lb (kcal is really the calories cited in nutrition info, I think).

Right now they get a can each per day (5.5 oz) but the dry is still out until I fifure out which flavors they'll eat.

Help, please! Which do I use?

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

Lisa,
You can't trust what it says on the can. Every flavor probably says the same thing, and they all have a different amount of calories per can. They're just trying to sell cat food, and from what I've seen, they all recommend too much.

I've seen the 20/cal per pound thing posted here numerous times, and that's what I normally tell people who ask. But the qualifier there is "per pound of ideal body weight" I don't know how one determines what the ideal weight should be.
My vet told me the same exact thing though, when I was trying to get Bob to a good fighting weight. We decided 14 pounds was right for Bob (he used to weigh 20+, and he isn't "big boned" :lol:

Carl

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Lisa Wrote:
"You can't trust what it says on the can. Every flavor probably says the same thing, and they all have a different amount of calories per can. They're just trying to sell cat food, and from what I've seen, they all recommend too much. "

I just looked at two flavors of FF. Ocean Whitefish & Tunes Feast says one can per three pounds body weight for an adult. Tender Liver & Chicken Feast says one can per 3 1/2 pounds of body weight for an adult cat. Per J&Bs charts, the Liver and Chicken would be 25.7 cal/lb