Cat feeding times!!

[SEXY67]

My cat has just turned one, i have always fed her whenever she seems hungry, She hangs around meowing as if she is starving but lately when i feed her she just seems to lick the jelly away and leave the food, so as you can imagine i am throwing away lots of food, Any advise would be very appreciated.

[andy hughes]

Get her into a routine of feeding once a day.

Eevening is good - say 7.00, then she has full tummy to go to sleep. Feeding when she 'seems hungry' is a human trait - cats aren't like that. If she thinks she can get food when ever she wants, she'll miaow to get it, because she can, and then leave it.

It's better for her, and less expensive for you, if she is fed once a day. Some cat owners leave the dish down for a set time - say an hour, and then remove it, but that's a personal choice.

Your cat has got you well trained - time to swtich the scenario round to your way of thinking!

[SEXY67]

Thanks Andy, i will start that as from this evening.

if i am only going to be feeding her once a day from now on how much should i give her? i buy the normal size tins of felix

[WendyS]

Your cat may be leaving her food because if you're using a normal size tin and storing the remainder in the fridge for the next day, the food can take on a very "tinny" and unpleasant flavour.  The best option, if you need to make the contents last two days, is to scoop out the residue and store it in a plastic lidded container in the fridge.    Also, like humans, she may be suffering from "Menu Fatigue".  Give her a change.  Some occasional liver, heart or cooked fish may well perk up her appetite. If this doesn't solve the problem, take her to the vet.  She may be suffering from some kind of stomach ailment.

[valsuey]

Instead of buying tinned cat food you could try using the pouches (Felix,Whiskas etc.)That way the food is fresher and my cat really loves them.She used to take for ever when I bought the tins and I was throwing half the tin away! Also I give her some meals of Dry Food such as Iams complete or Purina.Much better when the weather is warmer than meat.I think they probably get bored with the same old thing all the time,I know I would!

[drgnrdr]

If this behavior has changed like it seems to be by your post, "lately when I feed her", I would say if she is not wanting to chew on anything, get her checked by a vet, my cat did that and since he was on a scheduled feeding I realized something was up when he stopped eating regularly, I got him to the vet and he had a bad tooth, (I was brushing his teeth regularly, but, his genetics gave him bad teeth, his 2 brothers had bad teeth also, they lost their teeth by the time they turned 7, but he had 5 left when he died at 18, I brushed his teeth the other owners did not). So check with a vet first.

Then if all is well:

I agree with andy hughes about putting them on a schedule. But I would try once in am and once in pm. split the recommended amount, which it should say on the can...look at weight and age of your cat and follow that guideline. This way she hasn't had her food abruptly taken and she gets use to getting it am and it's there for 1/2 an hour and pick it up then pm for 1/2 hour, if your cat goes outside then she may be getting fed from somewhere else. Brush her teeth, use an animal toothbrush not human, and animal toothpaste not human. Go to  http://www.catsinternational.org/ go to "articles" and then click on "senses and features" and you can read how to get them use to teeth brushing. Let us know how it goes.

[SEXY67]

Thanks Valsuey and Wendy for your advice, i do give her fresh fish and chicken and now and again the odd treat of a leftover sausage, she has no problems with things like that, and i do change her flavours and makes of cat food, maybe i am feeding her too many times a day, i will try what Andy said 1st and see how she goes, Thanks again.

[SEXY67]

Thanks drgnrdr, She is absolutely fine with chewing, she eats her crunchy biscuits with no problem, and her teeth are cleaned regularly. I"m going to cut down on her feeding and hopefully this will solve the problem, i will keep you posted

[loopey]

i feed my cats once in the morning ( then you know they've come home safely) and once before bed (then you know their not hiding under the bed anywhere....and occasionally a treat of baby milk (if the baby doesn't drink it all)....