Basically, a 16 pound bag of cat food used to last me a good month (free feeding) with my 3 previous cats. Now that I have 3 with my Raggie Theo, I go through a 16 pound bag every 2 weeks. I know he eats a lot because he is a growing boy but he is starting to get a pouch at 8-9 months. Is this normal at this age? I know otherwise it is to be expected. I have managed to control his eating of the dog food by use of a water bottle. Mom has tricks up her sleeve!
Does anyone else feel like their Raggies are eating them out of house and home or is it just me? LOL
Should I do a timed feeding?
Any input would help!
Purr Blessing,
Heather and the Petting Zoo
My boy George likes to eat until there is nothing left. I still like to free feed, so what I do is if I notice George eating for more than 5 minutes at a time, I take him away from the dish. I also take the dish away when I'm going out (say to the doctor's office) for a short amount of time (2 hours max). I also make sure that George is distracted or put in the bathroom when I top up the dish because otherwise, he'll sit there and eat until he throws up. He's obsessed with food, and is a little overweight for his age, size and for the fact that he is not neutered lol (most whole cats are not overweight as a general rule but is not always the case). Its lots of work, but its worth it.
Your cat sounds totally normal. I think it is just that the are bigger cats overall that they need more food. The pouch is a fat pad which is normal.
My boy, Aidan has the nick name, "piglet" for a reason!
I would love to be able to free feed my cats but know that this would not work with Aidan around! He gobbles down his own and then steals food from my other cats...
Thank you so much for the advice! He isn't much of a gobbler more of a sleep, then eat, sleep then eat type of cat. Truth be told, I never knew how big they actually got to two months ago. I adopted him because I fell in love with him. I don't mind the cost, I just wanted to make sure it was healthy. The wesbites I read up on all said they would have pouches but I wasn't expected THIS early. I don't want him to be too fat!
In re-reading your post, I'm wondering if you're still giving your ragdoll kitten food? Ragdolls should be kept on kitten food for the first year of their life because it has the extra nutrition they need to grow. Your raggie could be eating what seems more because he is a kitten. From my understanding the kitten food is more filling for them too.
This is a quote from the Cat Fancier's Association "The Complete Cat Book"
"Ragdoll kittens are capable of gaining up to 2 pounds in a single month when they are having a major growth spurt. What was plenty last week, may be a starvation diet this week. And of course, when kittens are in a growth spurt, they need far more food than kittens of the same size and weight who are growing moderately. Furthermore, their fat little tummies can decieve owners (and veterinarians) into thinking the kittens are well fed. The Ragdoll stomach pad of fat is genetic, not nutritional. A Ragdoll may be down to skin and bones, yet still have a fat pad on its belly.... Therefore, to avoid unrecognized malnutrition and stunted growth, give Ragdoll kittens unlimited access to dry kitten food in a very large bowl or a self feeder. Wet foods should be given in slightly greater than they are able to finish. A polished plate is a sure sign of a still hungry kitten. Put down a few more spoonfuls until the kitten stops eating."
TeresaK Wrote:In re-reading your post, I'm wondering if you're still giving your ragdoll kitten food? Ragdolls should be kept on kitten food for the first year of their life because it has the extra nutrition they need to grow. Your raggie could be eating what seems more because he is a kitten. From my understanding the kitten food is more filling for them too.
This is a quote from the Cat Fancier's Association "The Complete Cat Book"
"Ragdoll kittens are capable of gaining up to 2 pounds in a single month when they are having a major growth spurt. What was plenty last week, may be a starvation diet this week. And of course, when kittens are in a growth spurt, they need far more food than kittens of the same size and weight who are growing moderately. Furthermore, their fat little tummies can decieve owners (and veterinarians) into thinking the kittens are well fed. The Ragdoll stomach pad of fat is genetic, not nutritional. A Ragdoll may be down to skin and bones, yet still have a fat pad on its belly.... Therefore, to avoid unrecognized malnutrition and stunted growth, give Ragdoll kittens unlimited access to dry kitten food in a very large bowl or a self feeder. Wet foods should be given in slightly greater than they are able to finish. A polished plate is a sure sign of a still hungry kitten. Put down a few more spoonfuls until the kitten stops eating."
Nope! Indoor cat food!?!?
Ragdolls should really be kept on kitten food for the first year of their life - just to get all the extra nutrients that they need to grow.
Anyway, regardless, I wouldn't limit his food.
Teresa gave great information. I would suggest also to have him on kitten food at the minimum 12 months. I prefer to allow them to be on kitten food for a few months longer, as they are still growing. Kitten food has specific ingredients to help support the needs of a growing kitten.
I also free feed. I started this because of the breed of dog we had, if they ate quickly, could be at a large risk of bloat or stomach torsion. I really don't know if cats are at much risk, but I free feed, as they seem to go eat a small amount, but they eat more frequently. I feel this is healthy, and works well for our family.
Purrs,
Stormi
I don't free feed my Sam. But I do put a couple handfuls in his dish, several times a day. This is because, Lucky, our 7 year old lab, (Who has his own dish!) comes in behind Sam and finishes up any left overs! We also keep his food in our bathroom to better monitor,, but, Lucky still knows to check everyonce in awhile when we aren't around and cleans up. It would cost me a fortune if I left the bowl full......