How Much Food?

Question

i have a almost 4 month old kitten...my question is about his eating habits. I give him mostly dry food, i fill his rather large bowl up to the top every morning, and then give him a small portion of moist food in the evening which he inhales on site. I've always given all my cats an unlimited food option (being they have food out all day) and never really had a problem. This little guy seems to eat ALL DAY! i know he's still young and needs all the nutrition, but that giant bowl of food is licked dry by morning and he's begging as if he hasnt eaten in a week. Should i be feeding him differently? more options of food? different kind of food? ohh, and he doesnt seem to like "treats" that much, he just blows them off and will eat them very last if nothing is left in his bowl. Thanks!

he's currently eating purina kitten

Answer 1

This made me laugh, I have a kitty that eats when hungry, can leave her dried food all day till she wants it.
BUT my sis has a cat who is 14yrs old who is permamently hungry!! will eat the leg off an iron donkey, cries to be fed all the time, its like she has hollow legs, yet she is not fat.
Its a family joke about how mabel will always eat no matter what, but the thing is , she isnt fat, so she must need it somehow.
I made the mistake of giving my kitty cheap dried food, she ate like a pig, once I spoke to the vet and realised she needed more proteins adn fats and got her a proper food, she came good.
It says a lot that she will leave treats, so its not hunger, she just likes FOOD! Mabel the second. If she is growing normally then she is fine and getting the proper food a kitten needs with regards to protein adn fats, then she is just greedy, dont give in to it.

Answer 2

What food should I feed my kitten?
Premium growth diets are specifically designed for kittens and are the best way to ensure your kitten receives the right amount of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals in the correct proportions for growth. Dry and canned varieties are available and kittens can be fed a mixture according to feeding guidelines on the label.

Kittens can be started on canned food or moistened biscuits from 3 – 4 weeks of age while still on their mother and should be fully weaned by 6 – 8 weeks old. Kittens need be fed at least 3 times day until they are 4 – 5 months old, then gradually reduce to 2 feeds a day by the time they are 8 - 9 months old.


How much should I feed my kitten?
Kittens should be offered as much food as they like at each meal to ensure they have an adequate intake of nutrients – they are unlikely to overeat at this stage in their life.

Kittens vary in their individual requirements and some grow at a faster than others. They will generally eat enough to satisfy their needs within 20 minutes or so – after this remove any uneaten portions and replace with fresh food at the next meal.



Tips on feeding your kitten
Serve cat food at room temperature – warm food smells better
Any changes in diet need to be made gradually over 3 – 4 days to avoid digestive upsets
Don’t disturb your kitten while feeding
Place feeding and drinking bowls in a quiet place and keep them clean
Always have a fresh supply of water available
Use a high quality food designed for kittens – supplements won’t be required
All-meat diets are inappropriate for kittens and cause bone deformities
Dog or puppy food is not suitable for kittens – they have different requirements
Milk can be fed but dilute with water first – some cats are lactose intolerant

Below are some more websites that might be helpful.
Good Luck with your new friend

Answer 3

I've got a little kitty too, I think at this stage it's probably ok to let them eat all they seem to want to, cats are supposed to be able to regulate there own appatite. However I am concerned about him getting fat as my mum's cat is huge, so I'm just gonna keep an eye on him and start restricting his feeding times as and when I need to when he's older, kittens don't stop growing til there 18mths apparently, so he's still got a lot left to go, just keep monitering the sitution. If you really are concerned that he's growing fat take him to the vet, it's better to sort out a problem earlier rather than later.

Answer 4

JellyKelly is right on! Purina cat foods are 2/3 corn with a small amount of very suspect protein. Corn is used to fatten animals for slaughter. Those animals have only a two-year life span.

Since I am sure you want your kitten to be around for more than two years, to grow well and be a healthy cat, you must pay more for a better quality food.

Read the contents on the bag of food. First two listed should be good protein sources - chicken, chicken meal with a filler such as brown rice (not brewer's rice), In small owner-operated pet stores you will find CA Natural, Innova Evo, Natural Balance, Nature' Variety (Prairie), Eagle Pack, etc.

You are feeding your kitten calories and he is not getting nourished! This could explain why he is eating so much although kittens do need a lot of food. I am glad you are feeding your male kitten wet food. He needs moisture in his food for good urinary tract health. Use the higher quality foods there too.

For directions on switching cat foods please click under my name in the icon. You do not want to make an abrupt switch as it could cause stomach problems or diarrhea.

"Kitten" food is a marketing ploy, as is "Indoor" food, "Hairball" food, "Senior" food etc. Do you think the mother cat brings her kitten special "kitten" mice to eat? The concept is ridiculous. Cats need food that is 50% to 60% meat protein.

Answer 5

I feed my 13 month old kittens 3 times a day and have been doing that since we got them. I looked at the bag of food and divided the daily amount into 3 meals. 6am, 6pm, and 10pm.

I give them some treats here and there. they only get moised food as a treat once in a while and I take that out of their daily portions.

Answer 6

Dry food is a cheaper option and thats why lots of people buy it but it doesn't provide all the protein that your cat would get from cat meat. This is probably why your kitten is always hungry - the food is not providing enough nutrients for him.

Answer 7

Kittens (cats less than a year old) need food specially designed for their young systems- with an increased level of the necessary proteins for growing muscles and bones.

Answer 8

I don't think it will huirt your kitty to eat like that as he/she is growing so fast and also they are usually very active and need all the food their little bodies can handle..but if it worries you why not ask a vet and by the way has the kitty been wormed? They will eat more if they have worms as the worms take all the nutrients from them..just a thought.

Answer 9

give him 1/2 of a cup of cat food at a time, and refill the bowl if he gets hungry. You shouldn't give it all to him at once because he will eat it all and throw up (at least my cat does)

Answer 10

i would try smaller portions throughout the day...when he gets a little older you can try the unlimited food out all day by then he will have trained his little tummy what it needs...i have a cat that doesnt go for treats so this isnt unusual...