(06-29-2010 09:00 PM)Edie Wrote: [ -> ]but I just don't believe kittens this young can or will overeat.
When I asked my breeder about amount to feed she also made this point!! She said that kittens have little bellys so they wont overeat, they will just eat until they are full!
When I got home yesterday Charlie had eaten only about half of his breakfast (wet food) so last night when I put his dinner down (wet food) he gobbled it all in one go so I gave him another half a pouch later in the evening.
Cats often dont have problems regulating their own eating, and for a kitten weight is not really an issue, its more an adult problem among cats.
Dry food can stay out for days without going bad, it just looses its aroma so it smells less delicious to the cat.
My cats eat only dry food, and have food at all times. I would not remove dry food from a kitten since its important for a kitten to get well fed to grow
So dont worry about the dry stuff just refill when its empty
Dry food is also better for the cats dental health. I also buy a product called "plaque off" that is a powder i mix in the food that cleans the cats teeth when they eat it. My exotic shorthair get funky breath without it, so its a nice product.
My queen was visiting a stud, and the lady didnt understand why my cat wasnt eating... She dont like wet food at all
Only eat the dry stuff - wich is a good thing.
(06-29-2010 10:42 PM)Edie Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2010 09:19 PM)Sunday Rose Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2010 09:00 PM)Edie Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2010 08:51 PM)Sunday Rose Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Edie! Phoenix is eating 1 to 2 Tablespoons of wet twice a day, per instructions from the breeder, then free feeds on his dry food. He is on the smaller side, weighing barely 2 LBS. at adoption (5/27), so should I be feeding him a whole half a can of wet twice daily now? I don't know how much he weighs, but will when he gets his booster shot. I'm guessing maybe 3 LBS. I sure don't want to underfeed him.
He gobbles up his canned food within minutes at his feeding times & licks his bowl clean. His appetite is wonderful!
Carly....sorry for the intrusion on this thread.
I would certainly offer more than he's getting. At his age and size I would give him all he wants...he was a little guy when you got him. I've never had a 12 week old that didn't weigh at least 3 lbs. and some as much as 5 lbs., but I just don't believe kittens this young can or will overeat.
Thanks very much Edie! Okay, I'll start feeding him more tomorrow. I was worried about him not eating his dry food if he ate more canned, and of course was going by what the breeder told me (but he has grown so much already). He also is missing his lower fang (it was pulled at the vets) and chewing his dry food is more challenging for him. I can see him working at eating it as he switches the dry food to the other side to chew. 
This happened when he got caught under the foot rest (someone lowered it and didn't know he was under there) of a glider chair at the BREEDER'S HOUSE. Just ouch thinking about this happening to him.
As far as his weight....there was 6 kittens in his litter and both of his parents weigh about 10 LBS. I wanted a smaller kitten/cat, so this was a perfect find. It's not the norm, but I wasn't searching for a future 20 LB. Ragdoll. ;-)
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He's adorable and obviously the perfect little guy for you. Don't worry about not eating enough dry. If he likes it he'll eat it, but wet food is a better diet for cats anyway, just not as convenient!
Awww......Phoenix says thanks Edie! I started feeding him more wet food this morning and he ate it all up. Then I noticed his nap was longer too. So, I feel good about this. He did eat less dry today though, and I never knew wet was better for cats than dry. Thanks for this info....it's appreciated. I wonder if more wet will make his stools runny? Do you think it will make a difference?
Wet food shouldn't have an affect on his stools. I think it only really affects stools if it is a new food introduction or they possibly have an allergy. One breeder told me to avoid foods with gravies in them as apparently it can affect their tummies. Mine eat wet and dry and seem fine in the stool department (except for Pyjamas who has a very sensitive tummy from time time). Then again I always give them boiled chicken to make sure that their tummies stay ok. Personally I think having a combo of both is best to be honest. I don't feel that I'd like to feed mine only dry as I'd worry that they aren't getting as much protein as they should be.
Phoenix will also be eating more depending upon his activity levels. If you play with him for a good long while he'll probably eat even more than normal. But yeah, it's good that you're feeding him more. Licking his bowl was a sign that he wanted more for sure..!
(07-01-2010 02:48 AM)JumJums Wrote: [ -> ]Wet food shouldn't have an affect on his stools. I think it only really affects stools if it is a new food introduction or they possibly have an allergy. One breeder told me to avoid foods with gravies in them as apparently it can affect their tummies. Mine eat wet and dry and seem fine in the stool department (except for Pyjamas who has a very sensitive tummy from time time). Then again I always give them boiled chicken to make sure that their tummies stay ok. Personally I think having a combo of both is best to be honest. I don't feel that I'd like to feed mine only dry as I'd worry that they aren't getting as much protein as they should be.
Phoenix will also be eating more depending upon his activity levels. If you play with him for a good long while he'll probably eat even more than normal. But yeah, it's good that you're feeding him more. Licking his bowl was a sign that he wanted more for sure..!
Thanks Jums! And you're right.....Phoenix's stools are the same with the increase in wet food. I agree with you on the combination of wet & dry being the best possible diet for a kitten or cat.
The things I learn here.....about your breeder's comment that wet foods with gravy in them can cause tummy upsets. I never knew that. Maybe it's because they are richer or something. Good to know this info, too!