What's a healthy amount of food per day for a diabetic?

[SantaCruzSPCA]

I know the answer to this is going to differ for cat to cat depending on current weight and ideal weight but is there a general guideline somewhere for suggested calorie intake? Rusty is now eating VERY well and he would seriously eat six cans a day if I let him. He's keeping weight without a problem...probably gaining a little. He gets 2 1/2 of the 5.5 oz cans of Friskies a day. He's currently 14 pounds, larger framed cat but maybe getting a little in the heavy side. I know calories are important with diabetics, especially after his DKA, but what's too much?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I know the answer to this is going to differ for cat to cat depending on current weight and ideal weight but is there a general guideline somewhere for suggested calorie intake? Rusty is now eating VERY well and he would seriously eat six cans a day if I let him. He's keeping weight without a problem...probably gaining a little. He gets 2 1/2 of the 5.5 oz cans of Friskies a day. He's currently 14 pounds, larger framed cat but maybe getting a little in the heavy side. I know calories are important with diabetics, especially after his DKA, but what's too much?

I guess the simple answer is to assess his weight right now (you said a little on the heavier side), weigh him, reduce the amount of food slightly for a week (try 2 1/4 cans per day?), weigh him again and go from there. You have to be careful, of course, after a DKA episode.