cat diet...?

Question

What is the best way for cat's diet? I have a 10 yrs. old 15 lbs. cat and everytime she see me she will cry because her bowl is empty, I am scared if Idon't give her more food she might eat my birds.

Answer 1

I just put a bowl of dry food down and theres always food in it. Unlike dogs cats are nibblers and won't eat all at once they nibble through out the day. Also check her water, my cat comes and gets me and will meow until I turn on the water faucet for him to get a drink of FRESH water. Cats are intelligent beings, she'll stop eating when she's had enough, dogs are the animals who most of the time don't know to stop until the bowl is empty. In addition make sure whatever food you buy is approved by the AAFCO it will be right on the package, remember you get what you pay for. The supermarket off brands are all fillers and she won't get the vitamins and protiens she needs. It may be a little more out put on money initially but by getting the foods like IAMS and Science Diet she'll fill up and eat less, a 10lb bag of Iams will last my 2 18lb cats (not they're not overweight, they're just big on all 4 paws they come just below my knee.) 2-3 months a 10lb bag of the cheaper brands like Purina they go through 1 a month, so see I pay the same amount dollar wise I just buy it more often plus I go to the vet less often when they're on the quality food, not to mention I save on cat litter because the cheap foods are all fillers so they use the litter box constantly, they potty less on the quality food because they're body is getting what they need.

Answer 2

Are your birds in a cage? You CAN successfully train your cat not to eat the birds, but you have to be very firm and have a good eye. My friend has 3 birds that she lets fly in the house, and 3 cats. Her cats dont even LOOK at the birds anymore because she used to catch them and say "NO" in a firm, loud and calm voice just because they were looking. The birds and cats are out alone in the house all night and this has been going on for as long as I've known her (over 14 years!) and she's had multiple cats. You of course have to work hard at this but it can be done.

Your cat... Dont feel sorry for her and dont use the bird as an excuse. hehe :) I did that for years and my cat got to almost 20 pounds! He's been on a diet for 2 years and still varies in weight (13-17 lbs). I dont know how he gains ever because we feed him the same amount and the same food every day and he's not sneaking from the other cats... When he gets hungry and I dont feed him extra, he goes in the garage and hunts bugs. At least he gets exercise :) It really is healthier for them to be on a diet, unless they can control what they eat.

Good luck with that. I know they are just soooo fun when they are on a diet!

Answer 3

Does your vet say the cat is too heavy? 15 lbs would be a great weight for my big kitty (unfortunately, she weighs 18 lbs). If you need to have her on a diet, consider either a raw food diet, or one of the better quality manufactured brands. I switched my kitties to Innova after all the recalls, because Innova manufactures its own food, and uses organic ingredients, no grains or fillers, and real meat, not byproducts. It's too soon to tell if it will help my 18 lb cat lose weight, but they like the food, and my vet reviewed Innova's website and approved the foods.

Answer 4

Wet food. There's much less carbs, and overall, wet food is better for a cats health than dry is.

Depending on what brand of food you feed, you may want to consider switching brands. Low-quality supermarket brands are usually packed with fillers and by-products and other things that cats do not need. Higher-quality foods will not only mean your cat eats less (they'll be getting more of the nutrients they need in less of a serving), but your cat will also be using everything in that food, rather than it going to waste and turning to fat. I highly recommend Felidae, Innova, or Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul. Nutro or Natural Balance are also good brands as well, and a little bit cheaper.

And obviously, get her more exercise. :)

Answer 5

If she's only had cat food her entire life, I doubt she realizes the birds are edible. Hunting and eating are entirely separate in the mind of a cat, they have to be taught to eat what they kill.

Answer 6

Cats are natural graizers so if theyres food in the bowl theyll eat it even when theyre not hungray. put her food into her bowl like you normally do and then take out 5 nuggets. then next week take out 5 more. and continue excercise until you see some improvements

Answer 7

feed him/her IAMS WEIGHT CONTROL dry food, and 2 times a day(I have a 15 lb cat, too). hope this helps!

Answer 8

prescription catfood made for dieting like Hills OM