? Question on Feeding Volume

[Jack the Cat]

Is there a protocol for how much to feed with wet food?

I feed Jack a 3 oz portion every 12 hours, with a snack when I check him at AMPS +6.

He seems like he is starving. Should I be feeding him more?

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[CandyH & Catcat]

the answer to your question, or the range of answers .. .. depends on how much Jack weighs, and a little history behind that too

is he at his optimum weight, underweight or overweight? and has there been any change in that recently or even in the last year?

first pass through -- all our cats dealing with diabetes are initially hungry all the time, because their cells can't utilize the glucose (fuel) in their blood without insulin to "unlock" the cell walls and let the glucose in -- so cat sputters more or less like old car running on fumes -- HUNGRY!!!!

if he's underweight (as Catcat was, normally a 14 pound cat, he was 10 pounds at diagnosis, terribly skinny), then you can feed him more than a normal cat of his optimum weight -- it's fun ! you still can't allow gluttony though

if he's normal weight, still has a "waist" and has good muscle tone, the rough guideline is 20 calories per pound per day, a little more if he's an outside cat or very active for his age

if he's overweight, I'll need to defer to more experienced members here, you want him to lose the excess SLOWLY -- obesity can be one of the factors that kicks off diabetes, in the same breath you need to keep him well away from ketoacidosis, where two of the risk factors are not enough food, not enough insulin, and often some inflammation or infection going on

despite the puffery in the media, cats do NOT do well on the Keto Diet

 

[AliceMeowliss (GA)]

Well said, @CandyH and Catcat !!
There’s a link from one of the health forums that’s discussed a bit more of this, in particular if kitty is overweight or was overweight before.....
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/feed-kitty-as-much-as-they-want.205170/

However, a diabetic cat may not utilize its calories or nutrients as well and may still require more than the average healthy cat.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

If he’s starving and not overweight I would let him have another snack at +3 or +4 but do it both cycles. Do you give Jack a snack at +6 at night? Because cats often drop lower at night. It might be worth investing in an auto feeder so he can have a couple of small snacks at night as well as during the day. Will he let you add a teaspoon or two of water to the food? That will make him feel a bit fuller.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

The amount of food fed should be based on calories rather than volume. A common formula is 20 calories per pound of healthy body weight. You could use that as a guide to determine how many calories he needs in a day, then break the food up over a few small meals (I go with 4 meals a day for my girls). You can mix water into the food (I also add chicken bone broth) to get more water into him and to increase the volume of the food.

 

[Jack the Cat]

Jack lost about 2.5 pounds over the last year. He's got severe diabetic nerve issues on his back legs, and to a less extent on his front.

Initially he would consume an entire 3 oz can, but recently he is eating probably 2 oz and leaving the rest. Thanks for the link to the article. I will read it this morning.

I do give some food at AMPS +6, so maybe will increase that. I also plan to feed four times a day later in the month.

I have to be out of town for a week, so will start the feed x 4 then.

Thank you all for the information and support.