Am i starving my cats?

[gothicangel69]

The vet told me to cut back the amount of food that my cats get, but they only get half of a cup each per day(feed 1/4 twice a day). One is 6 monthes and the other is almost 8 i think(something like that). Am i feeding them enough? They always seem so hungry.

[FemaleCheetah]

I feed a cup per cat each day and their weight is just fine and all that.

[KellyP]

What was the reason the vet told you to cut back? Are your cats overweight? 1/2 a cup seems on the low side, my cats all eat more than that, and none of them are obese. What brand of food are you feeding? Rather than cut back on food maybe you could try to get them to excersise a little more.

[gothicangel69]

He was getting diahrea and the vet said that it was because he was getting too much food. (which i dont think is it) Half of their daily portion is medical developmental and the other half is purina develpomental formula. They are not obese and get alot of excersive. Im thinking about doing in and getting a second opinion just because i dont trust that doctor. He says stuff but then never follows through with it.

[head]

i know both development and purina products have recommended feeding guides for the weight of each animal at maintenance and growth levels. at the same time with diarrhea often what is suggested is fasting then gradually introducing the food back in. out of curiousity have you had a fecal test done recently to determine if the diarrhea could possibly be parasitic related?

[silverbook]

I would get a second opinion. Especially since this vet doesn't seem to be on top of things.

[gothicangel69]

the vet said that he was going to do tests after the diahrea cleared up, but he never did. Said they wernt necesairy anymore. He's a nice person, just not the best vet

[brandy pup]

I would feed a better food and give smaller more frequent meals
Dry Cat Food Crisis
http://www.felinefuture.com/nutrition/

Feeding Your Cat by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM
http://www.catinfo.org/index.htm

links
http://alter-idem.smartmonkey.org/cats/omglinks.htm

[Nell]

That sounds a little low to me, especially for kittens that are still growing. Generally, for young cats, you don't limit food unless they are gaining too much weight.
And for diarrhea, it seems a bit strange that he would suspect overeating as the cause. Parasites or food intollerance are far more likely.
I'd get a second opinion, and ask the new vet to check for parasites. Have both cats been wormed? And is it only one or both that are having digestive problems?

The amount of food that an adult cat should be eating will vary based on the cat's age, activity level and on the type or brand of food. If you feed a dry food that is mostly fillers, the amount the cat has to eat to get the nutrition they need will be more, but if you feed a high quality premium food, half a cup or so per day may be plenty.

My cat Sadie is only a few years old and fairly active, but she eats only 1/3c. of dry food per day and 2 servings of canned.

[gothicangel69]

Developmental is a really high quality food. Both cats have been de-wormed numerous times. Ill probably be going to another vet soon. Maybe next week.

[wolfcat]

the vet said that he was going to do tests after the diahrea cleared up, did. person,


Whats the point if the problem is gone?? I'd find a vet thats not LAZY!! Someone willing to treat your cat while she is still sick instead of waiting for her to get better on her own.