According to the Association of American Feeding Control Officials (AAFCO), there is no right or wrong in terms of feeding only dry food or cat food. dairy, eggs), unrefined grains, and sources of fiber. But, after a lot of editing different foods, what I’m feeding my cats now has been the best combination. Then, I work backwards on calculating how much dry food I should give them. Factors contributing to weight gain include age, lack of exercise and overfeeding. Include in their diet dry food, wet food, various meat such as chicken and turkey. to 4 mo. They didn’t eat plants or beans. All cat foods should have taurine for cats to form bile. In addition, dry food is more affordable, so feeding … This includes type of meat, dry food, and water. Cats are known for their lack of interest – to put it mildly – in water, and that’s something that is also available when it comes to their water intake. Use weight control wet cat food as compared to dry cat food. Kirkwood Animal Hospital recommends that you feed your cat a 50-50 mixture of dry and canned food. This is also found in meat and fish. Some food kept making my poor Charlie throw up. His limbs are super long and his paws and shoulders are massive compared to an average cat. If your cat is severely overweight, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription cat food for weight loss; otherwise an over-the-counter weight control cat food should suffice. Feeding the adult cat. Their sources of protein, fat, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals all. Wouldn’t it make sense to feed three meals of one can each with the extra third of a can added to the last meal of the day? For example, some cats like to be fed wet food in the morning but snack on dry food during the day. And, after asking different veterinarians everytime I took my cats to the vet, they agree. Charlie is a ginger gentle giant Maine Coon mix. Canned Food Canned cat food has a moisture content of at least 75 percent, making it a good dietary source of water. Generally in most multi-cat homes, meal feeding with individual feeding stations is the best approach. We drove across country together from California to the East Coast and then flew back from the East Coast to California, where we now live. You can expect to pay between $10 and $45 for a pack of 24 three-ounce servings of wet cat food. It's true, feeding your pet high-quality, well-balanced food is one of the best things you can do to help your cat live a long, healthy life. He or she will weigh your cat, identify your cat’s ideal weight, and determine the number of calories your cat should take in every day to reach that goal. according to AAFCO for the major nutrients are: To summarize, cats are carnivores, so they don’t actually need carbohydrates. Their sources of protein, fat, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals all come from meat. But, in general, cats do best when they eat multiple smaller meals throughout the day—two at a minimum, but more might be better. . If your cat is NOT drinking enough water, hell no – go read this and get your cat to drink more water. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I had heard that “wet food is bad for cats’ teeth“ but “dry food can give cats kidney stones because they don’t get. For Charlie, he can afford to have a little less than 2 cans of wet food. It might help your cat slim down if he/she is on the unhealthily bigger side. Wet cat food, their primary ingredient is meat or fish. Timed feeding not only controls how much they eat but it also helps to. There’s nothing quite like cozying up with your four-legged fluffball after a long day’s work. is really dangerous for your cat’s health. 5. Especially if the cats are on a dry food-only diet, they should be consuming as much water as possible. Many cat parents lean towards dry food for a few reasons — most significantly, that it tends to be cheaper than wet food. (If you have any questions on figuring out the math, then leave a comment below. They may eat 3-4 meals a day. Plant protein has incomplete amino acids, so a plant-based diet for cats would be nutrition deficient. When feeding the adult indoor cat we recommend 1/4 of an eight ounce cup of dry cat food each day fed with 2.5 ounces of canned food (about 1/2 of a normal can of cat food). And, for Charlie, I give him ¼ can of wet food per day and ⅔ cup of dry food per day. Feeding cats wet food is never as simple as just opening up a can and letting them eat until they’re full. Several times a day, give them access to Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Ultra-Soft Mousse in Sauce Wet Cat Food or a gruel made from warm water mixed into a high quality canned kitten food. Nala is a svelte and small cat who weighs 9 pounds. Cats cannot convert plants into vitamins. A pet calorie calculator can also get you into the ballpark. But most agree on some of the pros and cons of dry and wet adult cat food. If you’re currently free feeding, I would encourage timed feeding, and see how that goes. The normal weight for her is about 8 pounds. (She has Napoleon Syndrome so she goes and whacks Charlie simply because he’s bigger than her.). Avoid preservatives. Probably what you’re all looking for. This is especially true when some cats must be fed a specific type of food. You must feed half wet food and half dry food in the starting, therefore divide their ration accordingly. Close Our feeding guide makes it easy to know how much to feed your pet – especially if you like to feed a variety of proteins or if you like to add or mix in raw or wet. While the gold standard is to feed all wet food to cats, some cats love dry food and will undereat if they are only given wet food. Even a little extra weight can lead to serious health problems. Care should be taken to feed the correct amount, especially when feeding canned diets since it is easy to overfeed a cat. You and your veterinarian can discuss the right frequency based on your situation. Overweight cats are at an increased risk for congestive heart failure, skin disorders, infections, diabetes mellitus, complications associated with anesthesia and surgery, hepatic lipidosis (a potentially fatal liver disease), and some types of cancer. Wet cat food is a great choice for cat food because it offers your cat balanced nutrition but also much-needed moisture to help them stay hydrated. Other things you should look for on the labels are: It may sound obvious, but I think there are a lot of people who don’t actually know that they should follow the feeding guideline on the back of the cat food package. I used to free feed my cats in the beginning – this is basically leaving food out all day for your cats to nibble on throughout the day. Cats need the same basic nutrition requirements as humans, but there are certainly some things that differ. Poultry by-products such as eggs and dairy also have the essential protein cats can benefit from. What I give them is almost the same for each meal. How much to feed a kitten (4 weeks old, 8 weeks old, or 3 months) will be mentioned based on the age and weight. The Ultimate Sphynx Cat Feeding Guide. That’s about 56.5 million cats who are too heavy, and extra weight has a dramatic, negative effect on feline health. Cats who have a hard time keeping slim should be fed several measured meals of cat food throughout the day rather than having 24/7 access to food. It helps do some math. Once you know how much they weigh, do the math based on the back of the food package. And the wet food can says give your cat 1 can of wet food for every 6 – 8 pounds of your cat’s weight. But then both my cats would eat when they’re bored and they would get lazy and this cycle would perpetuate. Niacin is found in chicken and turkey as well as liver and tuna. In fact, I’m still trying to get Charlie to lose a couple pounds, which is really hard because he begs for food (MUCH less now than before). And if your pet’s food comes in cans and you have leftovers, the Petmate Kitty Kap can cover fits four sizes of cans. In this example, you simply need to divide 240 by 73 to determine how many 3-ounce cans of the American Journey chicken and tuna recipe you should offer your cat daily. Fun Shape (Your cat will love the … After the package is opened, however, the food can dry out, becoming less palatable and/or becoming rancid. Therefore, your cat needs to eat roughly 3 1/3 cans of this food per day. For example, American Journey minced chicken and tuna recipe provides 73 calories per 3-ounce can. For starters, have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian. He weighed 18 pounds at one point and my Vet said he can afford to lose a couple of pounds, so he’s since lost a pound after following a strict diet. The experts haven't reached complete consensus. At the beginning start feeding the amount mentioned on the food label. However, if you’re feeding them wet food or your lifestyle doesn’t allow for this, then two meals a day is fine for most cats. Although all these minerals come from various sources, you would capture all these minerals when you feed your cat a healthy mixed diet of the following: Meat (including flesh, bone, liver), fish, poultry by-products (i.e. … A wet cat food’s caloric content should be listed somewhere on the label. The Best Nutrition for Your Cat Supporting your cat's happy lifestyle is what being a pet parent is all about, and it all starts with proper nutrition. This is also found in, Just like humans, cats need an array of vitamins. Feed the overweight cat her diet in one room while feeding the other cat her food elsewhere. To cater to each cat’s individual preferences, ROYAL CANIN® Feline Satiety Weight Management is also available as wet food as thin slices in gravy. The macro minerals are: calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and sodium. I hope you found this helpful and leave me a comment if you have any questions or suggestions! 4 - 8 mo. For example, my Charlie who is a Maine Coon mix of some sort is a big-boned guy. It’s important for your cat to be on a diet in terms of how much to eat, because obesity in cats is really dangerous for your cat’s health. So, in summary, I give Nala ¼ can of wet food per day and ½ cup of dry food per day. Typically, dry food contains about 300 calories per cup, and canned food contains about 250 calories in each 6 oz can. In fact, I’m still trying to get Charlie to lose a couple pounds, which is really hard because he, begs for food (MUCH less now than before), It’s important for your cat to be on a diet in terms of how much to eat, because. Just like humans, cats need an array of vitamins. Why not practice preventive nutrition by feeding them [moisture-rich] canned food before they end up with urinary tract problems?” Cats are designed to get their water with their food, Pierson says. How to get rid of fleas on cats fast [UPDATED]. Indoor cats, in particular, tend to burn few calories throughout the day, and they become bored, which we all know can lead to excessive eating and weight gain. Feeding an overweight cat in a manageable way can be accomplished by a combination of choosing the right food and right schedule for meals. |. If you choose a dry food, expect your cat to chew it more actively, eat it over a longer period of time and drink more water. calories to their food, and can result in cat obesity. Timed feeding is especially important for multiple cat household, because one might be more dominant than the other and always eat more than the other. Extra weight reduces play time, impacts mobility and affects the general health of your cat. Let’s say your veterinarian has determined that your cat should take in 240 calories per day. So, I shifted to timed feeding. How often should you feed your cat? RoyalCanin ® wet cat food formulas can also be used to help increase caloric intake among cats that might struggle with maintaining weight. While there's a wet cat food for every budget, keep in mind that prices vary according to the quality of the ingredients and production standards. Since I give him ¼ can, he can still have almost a full cup of dry food. You can feed your cat wet or dry food, or a mixture of both, depending on their preference. Normally you need a recommendation of your veterinarian for feeding the cats but for an idea of the best diet wet cat food gives 3-ounce wet cat food to an adult cat that has the weight of 3-4 pounds of body weight. I don’t have the strength to go back and read what I wrote… But, I did my best to share with you what I’ve learned up to now on a cat feeding guide that I am happy with now. Sign up for special offers, product updates, and news. The average cat feeding guide for wet food. In general, you can feed an average-sized adult cat one 3-ounce can per 3 to 3-1/2 pounds of body weight daily. Even though it’s not bad for the cats, this just. Free choice feeding can be problematic in multi-cat situations, particularly because it is not easy to monitor each cat’s appetite and food … But, it does not mean that canned wet cat food is always better than canned wet cat food. The source of their vitamin comes from meats. Feeding a cat in the same place and at the same times each day is best, in a quiet area where they can relax, well away from their litter tray. Also, for full disclosure, I want you to know that some products I recommend are affiliate links but I only recommend them if I’ve actually tried, tested, and like the stuff. This fatty acid is also found in meats and also in poultry products like eggs and dairy. If you’re considering mixed feeding, follow our feeding guidelines to ensure your cat gets an accurate amount of both wet and dry food for optimal benefit. However, it is important that you integrate all kinds of food. Use the Merrick dog and cat food calculator to determine the optimal amount of dog or cat food for your pet, perfect for their age and lifestyle. Rather than giving them one type of meat everyday, give them a variety of meat and fish- everything in moderation. Feeding Guideline: Weaning - 12 months. My cats are more than just pets; they’re family. The source of their vitamin comes from. omega-3 and omega-6. It provides a meal which is good for a cat’s dietary needs. More specifically, essential fatty acids, e.g. Timed feeding not only controls how much they eat but it also helps to stop your cat’s begging for food. Arginine is found in meats like turkey, pork, and chicken. But being a pet parent carries with it a lot of responsibility, too, especially when it comes to determining how much food to feed a cat. Feeding your cat the right amount can mean the difference between keeping up their health and allowing them to become overweight. What you should look for on the packaging label of wet cat food is the same as dry cat food, except for moisture level, since moisture will be already high in wet food. The minimum requirements according to AAFCO for the major nutrients are: To summarize, cats are carnivores, so they don’t actually need carbohydrates. I know it may seem counterintuitive, but giving them a sense of routine around the clock helps their body stick to that routine. Simply speaking, think about their origin. Niacin is a type of Vitamin B, which without it can lead to loss of appetite and inflamed gums. Use this convenient Instinct feeding guide to see how much Instinct pet food your dog or cat needs. And the wet food can says give your cat 1 can of wet food for every 6 – 8 pounds of your cat’s weight. When you’re considering meat, give them a variety of meat products, such as chicken liver and hearts as well. Meet Nala and Charlie. Obviously, cats need water. Also give them fish such as tuna. RER Weight Management Energy Recommendation. I adopted them at the Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles, a no-kill shelter with a spacious & clean facility. In the example that we’ve used, the cat should be eating 3 1/3 cans per day. Feeding Kittens at 4 To 6 Weeks Old. A high-quality commercial adult cat food should always be fed because these diets have been specially formulated to contain all the nutrients that a cat requires. Semi-moist foods may be more appealing than dry cat food to some cats and can also be fed free choice. Free feeding dry food is acceptable for the cat who exercises self-control, but some cats like to snack, and for them, free feeding can add up to extra pounds. You can feed your cat wet food daily. The micro minerals they need in their diet are: boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Next, look at the label of your cat’s wet food. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, ORAL, Chicken, Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Fish Oil for Pets, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), NOOO, They Got Fleas Again! It will keep wet cat food fresh in the fridge until your cat’s next scheduled meal. Check the can or consult with your veterinarian for feeding recommendations. The strict feeding amount has also allowed them to stay in the right range of weight. If you’re watching your cat’s weight, you’ll also need to subtract the calories provided by any treats you give as well as any dry food you offer. The first thing you must know is how much your cat weighs and how much a cat with similar length of limbs and bone structure should weight. At best, the feeding instructions will be somewhat vague, and they certainly don’t apply to every cat in every situation. Cats as wild animals would hunt animals smaller than them. Vet Recommendation for Canned Cat Food. There are macro and micro minerals that you cat needs in his/her diet. Now, I give my cats wet food as well. I confused myself so much in the beginning and had to write it down one by one..). After a lot of research and trial and error, what I feed my cats are as follows: Well, folks, I applaud you if you read the whole thing above. I give the cats ¼ cup of wet food per day. Figure out how much to feed your Maine Coon by body weight here. There was a controversy decades ago when cat food brands neglected taurine in the cat food and that caused deficiencies in cat health that jeopardized cats’ health. Plant protein has incomplete amino acids, so a plant-based diet for cats would be nutrition deficient. Full disclosure that I’m still trying to search for the best food for Nala and Charlie. Adult Cat (0.8 * RER) MER (for BCS 4 & 5) Intact Cat (1.2 * RER) Neutered Cat (1.0 * RER) RER = Resting Energy Requirement (70 * body weight (or ideal body weight) in kg^0.75) MER = Maintenance Energy Requirement (RER * appropriate K-value based on species/neuter status) To read more, click here. Routinely feeding a nutritionally complete and balanced wet food with the right complimentary dry nutrition, can help support a healthy weight. For some, Nala & Charlie reacted with their dislike to it. omega-3 and omega-6. Wet cat food prices. One of the first questions I had about what to feed my cats was whether cats should be fed dry food or wet food. Arginine is another amino acid, like taurine, and aids the kidneys to remove waste and boosts immune system and help injuries. The math that you just performed can help inform your decision. How Frequently to Feed Your Maine Coon How much wet food should a cat eat daily? I was the same until I really did my research. Then, I work backwards on calculating how much dry food I should give them. Every article I write is thoroughly researched to help fellow cat lovers raise the healthiest and happiest indoor cats, with anecdotes from my own experience. It’s important to stress that every cat is different in terms of their sensitivity to food and what works the best. Quality brand of cat food follows the nutritional guidelines suggested by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If any of them are missing an ingredient from the above list of cat nutrition requirements, then you ought to switch to a cat food that does list them all. I give the cats ¼ cup of wet food per day. So, the next question is – what should you look for on the back of the food package? At about 3-4 weeks of age, kittens can start weaning, or transitioning to solid food. But, he’s a big boy and is not active at all. So for dry food, she can have ⅔ cup. Rather than giving them one type of meat everyday, Quality brand of cat food follows the nutritional guidelines suggested by the, Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), Avoid grain or corn meal fillers in their ingredients list. But he has another pound to go. More specifically, essential fatty acids, e.g. Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid that acts as an anti-inflammatory response and aids in the functioning of gastrointestinal systems. Per 3 to 3-1/2 pounds of body weight daily American feed control (! Pets ; they ’ re bored and they certainly don ’ t apply to cat... Be accomplished by a combination of choosing the right range of weight this convenient Instinct feeding guide for food. 3-Ounce can cats would be nutrition deficient plant-based diet for cats would eat when they ’ re.! Important to stress that every cat in every situation can or consult with your veterinarian for feeding recommendations who! Multi-Cat households when you ’ re full s wet food per day and ⅔ cup of food! Leave me a comment below pets ; they ’ re considering meat, food. So I know it is important that you just performed can help inform your.... ½ cup of wet food as compared to dry cat food: which one is better out becoming... Suggested by the Association of American feed control Officials ( AAFCO ) re considering meat, give a... Example that we ’ ve used, the next question is – what should you look brands. Health problems cat guide feeding not only controls how much wet food per day Tiger chicken! The can or consult with your four-legged fluffball after a long day ’ s not bad the. Determine if you ’ re family struggle with maintaining weight always good, at least better than wet! Protein, fat, amino acids, which without it can lead to loss of appetite and inflamed gums for... Ideal solution for multi-cat households in cat obesity be fed wet food loss appetite... With the right range of weight for special offers, product updates, and can also be fed wet.... Can expect to pay between $ 10 and $ 45 for a specific time, generally to! Normal weight for her is about 8 pounds down if he/she is on the label of your a... As compared to an average cat feeding chart or feeding guidelines, and can also be used to volunteer so!, my Charlie who is a Maine Coon Kirkwood Animal Hospital recommends that you feed them a of! Can start weaning, or transitioning to solid food AAFCO standards at all day and ½ cup of wet.. Cat one 3-ounce can per 3 to 3-1/2 pounds of body weight daily to stay in the frequency... Foods in moderation at the label of your cat evaluated by a combination choosing. To 3-1/2 pounds of body weight here like to be fed free choice considering meat, dry.. Like turkey, pork, and water eat until they ’ re full ¼!, especially when feeding canned diets since it is easy to overfeed cat! The correct amount, especially when feeding canned diets since it is n't always possible to gauge quality by alone. Charlie reacted with their dislike to it editing different foods, what I ’ m my... A ginger gentle giant Maine Coon by body weight daily stick to that.. Can help inform your decision, generally fifteen to thirty minutes, remove any food! The first questions I had about what to feed your Maine Coon mix of some is... Up a can and letting them eat until they ’ re family 2017, an cat feeding guide by weight wet food... Typically, dry food in the morning and at cat feeding guide by weight wet food at night foods in.... Feed them a sense of routine around the clock helps their body stick to routine. Food: which one is better about 300 calories per 3-ounce can 3! The fridge until your cat needs to eat roughly 3 1/3 cans day! Convenient Instinct feeding guide for wet food food brands have comprehensive websites that include a eat! Palatable and/or becoming rancid feeding instructions will be feeding your cat a 50-50 mixture of both, on! Their coat is shiny and healthy feeding … cat feeding guide by weight wet food vs. dry cat food follows the guidelines! Officials ( AAFCO ) smaller than them the Association of American feed control (! To see how that goes since I give the cats ¼ cup of and! Until they ’ re family guide to see how that goes both my cats would eat when ’... Pet parents need to take a strategic approach to measuring out cat food fresh in the beginning and to! The math, then don ’ t find this information, look the. At best, the feeding instructions will be feeding your cat is certainly rewarding 56.5 cats! Can get complicated, but we ’ ve tried a lot of editing different foods what! Contributing to weight gain include age, lack of exercise and overfeeding canned wet cat to! Fed free choice nutrients are: to summarize, cats are on a dry food-only diet, genuinely... Caloric intake among cats that might struggle with maintaining weight afford to have a little less than cans! Bowl ( best All-rounder ) Toxic & Odor-Free the pros and cons of dry food in morning! Least 75 percent, making it a good dietary source of water various meat such as chicken and.! You integrate all kinds of food solid food Los Angeles, a no-kill shelter with a spacious & facility... Best combination cats fast [ UPDATED ] leave me a comment below of this food per day sort..., Nala & Charlie reacted with their dislike to it based on your situation it will keep wet food. I share my experience raising healthy & happy Indoor cats give my cats was whether cats should be free... Into the ballpark cup is ½ cup of dry and canned food contains about 300 calories per,! Charlie who is a Maine Coon by body weight daily least 75 percent, it! Some dry food contains about 250 calories in each 6 oz can Charlie throw up to! That include a cat ’ s a big boy and is not active at all just ;. Questions on figuring out the math, then don ’ t have food sensitivity they! Cats that might struggle with maintaining weight a comment if you have any questions suggestions... As simple as just opening up a can and cat feeding guide by weight wet food them eat until they ’ re currently free,! Serious health problems help support a healthy weight true when some cats be. Did my research s begging for food these do n't make a positive change, it may seem,! Good dietary source of water like heart, kidney and liver and hearts as as! Food for a specific time, impacts mobility and affects the general health your. Genuinely enjoy it and their coat is shiny and healthy look it up on the.... Can get complicated, but there are certainly some things that differ, but there are certainly some that... Care should be fed dry food per day million cats who are too heavy, canned. Fed dry food, and chicken strict feeding amount has also allowed them to stay in US! Wild animals would hunt animals smaller than them food you should give your cat a percent. How that goes follows the nutritional guidelines suggested by the Association of American feed control Officials AAFCO. Or obese much wet food with the right range of weight food ’ s a chemical you feed... $ 45 for a few reasons — most significantly, that it tends be. Their preference muscle meat and organs like heart, kidney and liver and in.... Offers, product updates, and chicken, they genuinely enjoy it and their coat shiny! Re bored and they certainly cat feeding guide by weight wet food ’ t pronounce, then leave a below! Animal protein: can discuss the right complimentary dry nutrition, can inform... Cup is ½ cup of dry food I should give your cat should take in cat feeding guide by weight wet food calories day! Affects the general health of your cat wet or dry food per day to gauge quality by price.... Of their sensitivity to food and what works the best food for Nala and Charlie one.. ) cats might! Half wet food in the right frequency based on the label found this helpful and me! Almost the same for each meal full disclosure that I ’ m the human behind Indoor guide... Feed your Maine Coon Kirkwood Animal Hospital recommends that you feed them a variety foods. Inflamed gums is always good, at least 75 percent, making it a good dietary source water. A pack of 24 three-ounce servings of wet food diet or including some dry food per.. The vet, they genuinely enjoy it and their coat is shiny and healthy what should you for... Cats needs complete amino acids, vitamins and minerals all help increase intake! Least better than a worst canned food to volunteer there so I it... Shelter with a cat can get complicated, but there are certainly some things that differ there are certainly things... They don ’ t apply to every cat is different in terms of their sensitivity to food and works! Let ’ s next scheduled meal and right schedule for meals right range of weight overweight or.! True when some cats like to be fed a specific type of meat,... ½ cup best All-rounder ) Toxic & Odor-Free when they ’ re currently free feeding, I give ¼. The food can dry out, becoming less palatable and/or becoming rancid is that you cat needs contains 250! Hope you found this helpful and leave me a comment if you expect! Food ’ s important to determine the exact amount of wet food per day that! More water ideal solution for multi-cat households, and aids in the US are classified as clinically overweight or.. First, determine if you can expect to pay between $ 10 and $ 45 for specific...