Scale? Calories for a cat?

[HyperJMA]

We are having trouble figuring out if Mister Mistopheles is eating enough on a daily basis. Does anyone around here weigh their cat on a regular basis? We are considering doing that to make sure he isn't losing weight.

Do you all keep track of how many calories your cat eats? I feel so frustrated. He almost never finishes a plate of food, and we are measuring it in .1 ounces here, .2 ounces here.....

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19IL1nsnIIX2LEjAHaWjxN0owvE3rNGuAH1nCyrWvpbs/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Many caretakers use this scale
https://www.amazon.com/Salter-Electronic-Baby-Toddler-Scale/dp/B00009KX5U?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
I use a postal scale that handles 55 pounds.
I just feed a consistent about and then if weight shows I would increase or decrease I do so. I do not weight the food or accurately measure it. I judge portions by how much of a can I feed.

 

[Squalliesmom]

I use a baby scale; all but one of my cats hate it and won't stay on it long enough for me to weigh them, lol, although they are perfectly happy to use it as a piece of furniture when I don't want to weigh them.

I figured out roughly about how many calories a day each cat needs and then feed that amount, broken into three feedings. It has worked well, so far!

 

[HyperJMA]

I use a baby scale; all but one of my cats hate it and won't stay on it long enough for me to weigh them, lol, although they are perfectly happy to use it as a piece of furniture when I don't want to weigh them.

I figured out roughly about how many calories a day each cat needs and then feed that amount, broken into three feedings. It has worked well, so far!

Problem is --- our kitty doesn't want to eat.

 

[Sharon14]

@Carol & Murphy has a kitty that is a picky eater. Maybe she has some ideas.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Problem is --- our kitty doesn't want to eat.

Do you feel he is losing weight? You could try feeding a food that is denser in calories. How old is he? Does he have any other ongoing medical issues?

 

[Jan Radar (GA)]

I also use a baby scale to keep track of weight going up or down each week. I measure amounts of cat food in relation to the can. So for example I will note that 1/4 of a can of rabbit was eaten at breakfast or 1/8 of a can of chicken was eaten for mid morning snack. I have figured out the approximate number of calories needed in a day and have also figured out the calories in each can. At our house we are constantly doing a running tab of number of calories eaten.

 

[Squalliesmom]

I replied with more info on your other thread!

 

[HyperJMA]

Do you feel he is losing weight? You could try feeding a food that is denser in calories. How old is he? Does he have any other ongoing medical issues?

I am not sure if he is losing weight --- That's what I hope to accomplish seeing with the scale.
He is 19 years old. He is hyperthyroid, diabetic, CKD, arthritis.

 

[HyperJMA]

I replied with more info on your other thread!

Which thread?

 

[Squalliesmom]

I am not sure if he is losing weight --- That's what I hope to accomplish seeing with the scale.
He is 19 years old. He is hyperthyroid, diabetic, CKD, arthritis.

I had a friend with a CKD kitty, she swore by Hi-Tor Neo. It's about 9% carbs, if you need to feed it to a diabetic. I sometimes use it as a MC food for Squallie, all my cats love it. I have no idea what it's nutrition is like except I believe it is fairly dense, and I know it is lower in phosphorus for cats with kidney issues.

If you haven't been there already, check out Tanya's site:

http://felinecrf.org/index.htm

Good luck!