Overfeeding can lead to the number-one nutritional disease, OBESITY. Excessive body weight can increase the risk of liver disease, heart disease, respiratory problems, and constipation. Furthermore, fat cats are at a greater risk of developing diabetes and arthritis. Pet food manufacturers have formulated diets that have fewer calories per gram that may be helpful in treating obese cats.
Feeding dog food to cats is a common error, especially if dogs and cats are in the same household. Dog foods are developed for the nutritional needs of dogs, not cats. There can be serious consequences if a cat's diet is deficient in protein, taurine, niacin, vitamin A, and fatty acids.

Overdosing with vitamin and mineral supplements has been known to cause severe medical problems in cats. Physiological imbalances caused by excess vitamins and minerals can lead to the binding of other nutrients. Overdoses of vitamins A and D are more common than deficiencies of those vitamins, because of unnecessary supplementation of an already balanced diet.

Exclusively feeding meat or fish results in an unbalanced diet and causes related nutritional diseases. Diets containing large quantities of fish can cause yellow-fat disease (steatitis), a result of vitamin E deficiency. Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is usually caused by all-meat homemade diets that are deficient in calcium, thus creating a mineral imbalance in the calcium-phosphorus ratio. The disease most commonly occurs in kittens that are rapidly growing.

When you acquire a new kitten or cat, it is strongly recommended that you find out exactly what the cat was being fed previously, and feed the cat this exact same food. If you want to change the diet, this must be done very gradually. The new food must be mixed with the old food, a little at a time, increasing the percentage of the new food in relation to the old food gradually over a two week period. Far too many new cat owners believe that they can instantly give the new cat a complete change of diet, and find out too late that this causes the cat to have diarrhea and possibly becoming very ill.

There are many varieties of cat foods to choose from whether you are shopping at the grocery or at the pet supply store. Choosing the right food for your cat is important if you want your cat to live a long and healthy life. Inferior food will lack certain elements that will shorten your cats life or lower their immunities to disease and parasites. In addition, they leave a lot more deposits in the litter pan.

Two very important things to look for on the bag is the AAFCO statement. This will state this diet has been found adequate by the Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO). Also look for a statement on the label that describes the food as complete, balanced,
perfect or scientific. If both of these are not present you can assume that it is not a complete or quality food and you should look at another product. The first four items listed on the bad should be some sort of meat.

Generally, the safest thing to do is to buy from large, well-known manufacturers as they have the money to do extensive testing. Also you can call the manufacturers phone number that should be on the bag and ask them questions about the testing and qualities
of ingredients that they include in their product. Also it is a good idea to find out what brand of food the breeder or rescue group has been feeding your cat. If a change is needed then it needs to be done very gradually over a period of a week or two.

Cats are carnivores. They require a food that is high in protein including certain amino acids like taurine, and fat. In nature, if they were eating a fresh caught mouse the mouse would mostly consist of muscle tissue (main source of protein and amino acids), bones (main source of calcium), hair (fiber, minerals and protein) and inner organs (predigested grains with B vitamins and enzymes). Below you will find why each of these are important to your cat. Some things, like calcium and magnesium, on the other hand, need to be a low % of the diet to ensure optimal health.

Protein

Protein consumed by your cat provides him with Amino Acids in which the cat will reassemble into the protein parts of his body. Some Amino Acids are essential and some are nonessential. Essential amino acids must be obtained from the foods where nonessential can be synthesized by the cats body. Taurine is a very important essential amino acid that is vital in a cats health. Before the importance of Taurine was discovered many cats had developed feline cardiomyopathy, heart failure, central retinal degeneration and blindness and reproductive problems due to the shortage of Taurine in their diets. Manufacturers have since corrected this problem by adding it to their foods. Providing a rounded variety of meat, poultry, fish and dairy will ensure that your cat receives a healthy balance of the essential and nonessential amino acids.

The digestibility of the proteins is important too. Highly digestible proteins come from muscle tissues of meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Other parts of animals used in manufacturing foods, such as beaks, feathers and bones are not as highly digestible. Grain proteins are found somewhere in the middle of the two.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are not part of the "natural diet" of a cat but can be used by the cat. They break them down and convert the sugars into more complex carbohydrates. However, the fiber found in foods helps keep the cat's digestive system healthy and helps prevent diarrhea and constipation.

Fats

About 40% of a cat's calories come from this category. Fats from animal sources help transport certain vitamins and aid in absorption of vitamins. Fat also aids in the appeal of the food to the cat. This high demand for fat and proteins is why cats will not thrive on dog
foods. They do not provide near enough of the percentages that a cat needs.

Vitamins

Vitamins are divided into two categories, water-soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins include the B vitamins, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline and Vitamin C. If these vitamins are consumed in excess the body will eliminate them through urine. Fat soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. Since these are fat soluble they can not be eliminated and will build up in the cats system if given in excess which could lead to toxic levels. Please consult with a veterinarian before supplementing these particular vitamins.

*Oil based hairball remedies can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and shouldn’t be used over long term.

Minerals

Minerals that your cat needs are potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorous and sodium chloride. These are a very minute part of the dietary balance for a cat but does help ensure proper health and immunities. On the other hand, cats require a diet lower in calcium and magnesium than some foods offer. Male cats, especially, may be prone to developing urinary tract disease if fed a diet high in calcium and magnesium (among other things, fish is naturally very high in both and generally to be avoided).

Water

Approximately 70% of your cats make-up is water. Clean and fresh water needs to be available at all times for the cat. Nutrients are carried and wastes are removed by water. Canned foods are high in water, but consequently much lower in nutrition than dry foods. Thus, it is generally recommended that cats be free fed dry food (i.e. have dry food always available) and also always have easy access to a water source. It is suggested that canned food only be used for a "treat".

In Summary:

When a quality food is used that has the proper balance of all these properties the cat will have a very healthy coat (strong hair and not oily), clear eyes, strong immune system, proper weight and small firm stools.

Proper weight can be decided by feeling the cats ribs and backbone. If ribs are prominent then the cat is to thin. If the ribs can not be felt at all then the cat is obese. If a cat is underweight the backbone of the cat can be felt easily.

Problems with obese cats can include diabetes, joint problems, breathing problems, liver problems and also skin problems because often the cat can’t reach around to properly clean himself. Talk to your vet about your cats weight. There are "light" or "senior" formulas available that have lower levels of fat to help reduce a cats weight.

Low weight may signal inadequate nutrition, parasites or more serious illnesses. Again, consult your vet for diagnosis, and for high nutrition veterinary diets if your cat is underweight.

Treats can be given to a cat as long as they are not taking the place of quality, nutritious foods. Treats are often not nutritionally balanced. Also be aware that if you give treats from your plate this will encourage begging and will not provide a balanced nutrition. You should also avoid feeding spicy foods or foods with onion. Many cats are also lactose intolerant and have problems with dairy products. Sometimes that treat dish of cow’s milk can make your cat very uncomfortable.

Whether your cat has an upset stomach, needs some fiber or just likes to nibble on your plants, you can have a cat garden just for your cat. Plants that you can have available for your cat to munch healthily on are Catnip, Valerian, Alfalfa, Rye, Wheat, Parsley and Thyme. There are also dangerous plants that your cat should not be allowed to eat.

Have you ever wondered if your cat needs vitamins? Yes it does. They could not survive without them. You are probably giving your cat a quality food, which is good. If you want your cat to have that very healthy coat, strong, non-greasy hair, clear eyes, strong immune system, and proper weight you really like, chances are you need to supplement its diet with essential vitamins and minerals. For one, the heat involved in processing pet foods does destroy some vital vitamins and additional vitamins are destroyed while the product sits on the shelf or in storage. This is besides the fact that these pet food products sometimes lack the essential vitamins and minerals in the first place.

There are two main categories of Vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins include the B vitamins, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline and Vitamin C. If your cat consumes too much of these vitamins, it will eliminate them through urine with no harm to the animal.

Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. Your cat cannot get rid of these vitamins in the urine. They could reach toxic levels and poison your cat if given in excess. Please consult with a veterinarian before supplementing these particular vitamins.

Also note: Oil based hairball remedies can interfere with the absorption of vitamins. You should not use those for a long period of time.

Your cat also needs trace and essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorous and sodium chloride. Although they are very minute part of the dietary balance for a cat, they help ensure proper health and immunities.

On the other hand, cats require a diet lower in calcium and magnesium than some foods offer. Male cats, especially, may be prone to developing urinary tract disease if fed a diet high in calcium and magnesium. Fish is naturally very high in both minerals and you should avoid feeding your cat an extraordinarily high amount of fish.

Vitamins and mineral supplements play major roles in ensuring your cat is healthy and strong. Vitamin C, for example, is important in the synthesis of collagen, which is the most widely distributed tissue in the body. The belief was that there are no known dietary requirements for vitamin C in cats as they can synthesize their own Vitamin C from glucose in their liver. Recent studies have shown they need vitamin C supplementation, as they do not produce enough on their own.

Cats are carnivores. They require food that is high in protein including certain amino acids like taurine, and fat. In nature, if they were eating a fresh caught mouse the mouse would mostly consist of muscle tissue (main source of protein and amino acids), bones (main source of calcium), hair (fiber, minerals and protein) and inner organs (predigested grains with B vitamins and enzymes). Cats will NOT get proper nutrition if fed a vegetarian diet.

Like the diet of other animals, a cat’s diet must also supply vitamins. But an unusual characteristic of cats is that they cannot form vitamin A from beta-carotene. Cats are also inefficient at converting the amino acid trypophan into the vitamin niacin.

You should feed your cat diets specifically designed for their breed, age, and activity level and recommended by the vet.

Ensure you consider your cat’s specific nutritional needs when planning its diet and vitamin supplements. Cats are not small dogs and have very different nutritional requirements than dogs, whereas dogs have nutritional needs more similar to people than cats, cats are very different and need to be regarded as such. Dogs and cats both have complex nutritional requirements: dogs require 38 nutrients daily, while cats require 40. As your pet ages from birth into adolescence and adulthood and finally becomes geriatric, their nutritional requirements change as well.

These changing nutritional needs account for cat diets designed for growth, maintenance, reproduction, and the old age. Such diet or what some call life stage nutrition should meet the optimal nutritional requirements of animals at different ages or physiological states.

It may be difficult to get your cat to take its vitamins. If your cat develops a strong dislike for vitamins, follow these tips:

Check the ingredients. The vitamin supplement may have something your cat dislikes.

Test the size of the vitamins. They may be too large for your cat to swallow. (Tip: try a liquid).

Check with your vet, who may be able to help you find better vitamins.

Your cat can look healthy and feel strong, just the way you want it to be, but you must take a keen interest in what it eats and the vitamin and mineral supplements it needs if you want your cat to experience optimum health and longevity.

Raw or cooked protein should constitute about 60% of your cat's diet. The kind of meats given should be varied as much as possible to ensure a proper balance of vitamins and minerals. Good protein sources are organ meats (liver and heart), raw ocean fish, canned human grade sardines, salmon, and tuna, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and muscle meats (beef, ground turkey or chicken, etc.).
Cooked grains and vegetables (cut up into tiny pieces) should constitute about 20- 30% of a cat's diet depending upon age, condition and disease factors. These can include sweet potatoes, yams, squash, carrots, broccoli, peas, green beans, spinach, corn, lima beans, rice, quinoa, barley, and oatmeal.

Raw vegetables and fruit should constitute about 10% of your cat's diet. These can include carrots, broccoli, sprouts, papaya, cantaloupe, wheat grass and tomato

Taurine is a colorless, crystalline compound which is found in the free form in invertebrates and in the bile of mammals. It promotes the intestinal absorption of lipids (fats) as cholesterol.

Taurine is an important part of the feline diet and is essential in preventing a disorder in cats called "dilated cardiomyopathy" (which is a failure of the heart muscle whereupon the heart tissue itself swells to try to meet the animal's circulatory needs), as well as being very significant in helping feline reproduction and prevention of a progressive retinal disease called feline central retinal degeneration(FCRD) which will cause blindness if left untreated.

In queens that have taurine-deficient diets, there are more still births, fewer live kittens born, and ultimately fewer kittens that survive to the weaning stage.

In the wild, rodents formed a large part of the feline diet, and the rodents had significant levels of taurine in their brains.

When we began to domesticate cats and feed them commercial cat foods instead of their wild diets, taurine deficiency started appearing.

This was of great concern, especially in the 1970's, when it was proven that many commercial cat foods on the market at that time contained an inadequate amount of taurine.

Cats are different from other animals in that they cannot make enough taurine internally to meet their needs, and they must have enough taurine supplied to them in their food.

Since these studies came out, most major pet food companies revised their pet food formulas to include taurine. Interestingly enough, not all taurine is equal, and some commercial foods need to have even more taurine added to their formulas to allow for proper feline absorption and utilization of the taurine in their foods.

Fatty acids are termed nonessential or essential. Nonessential fatty acids can be manufactured in the body of a cat and are not required in its diet. Essential fatty acids cannot be made by the cat and must be supplied by its diet.

Fatty acids are classified according to their chemical structure. Two important classes are omega-6 fatty acids ad omega-3. The dietary importance of omega-6 fatty acids has long been recognized. They are found at appropriate levels in high quality cat foods to:


Help regulate the blood flow to body tissues
Aid in blood clotting after an injury
Aid in normal reproduction
Help a pet’s immune system respond to injury and infection
Help a pet maintain a handsome haircoat and healthy skin
Linoleic acid is the primary member of the omega-6 class. A difference in the dietary requirements of dogs and cats is found in their utilization of linoleic acid. If provided at proper levels in their diet, dogs can produce all the other needed fatty acids. Cats, however, cannot produce all other fatty acids they require from linoleic acid and require the addition of another omega-6, arachidonic acid, to their diets. This is easily accomplished by feeding a nutritionally complete and balanced cat food.
The potential for omega-3 fatty acids contributing to the health of cats is promising. A growing body of scientific research suggests that this class of fatty acids has the potential to help cats with various health conditions.

Small amounts may be needed to support the proper development of the nervous system and visual acuity. Adequate quantities of omega-3 fatty acids are found in nutritionally complete and balanced cat foods.

Over the years, diet has been implicated in the cause of feline lower urinary tract health. At one time, ash was associated with lower urinary tract disease. Extensive nutrition studies show ash does not cause lower urinary tract disease. It was discovered that high ash diets can actually prevent blockage if the composition of ash is appropriate.

Ash is the measure of the total mineral content of a particular cat food. It refers to the inorganic portion of a measured food sample after a laboratory analysis in which the sample is burned at 600 degrees centigrade for two hours.

Ash contains calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and manganese and other minerals essential in a cat’s diet.

A diet low in ash may not supply all the minerals a cat needs which could cause a mineral deficiency and subsequent health problems.

1. Royal Canin Cat Food
2. Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul
3. Natural Balance Cat Food
4. Authority
5. Nutro
6. Sophistacat
7. Nature's Recipe
8. Bil-Jac
9. Flint River Ranch Cat Food
10. Innova Cat Food
11. Eukanuba
12. Iams
13. Purina
14. Wellness Cat Food
15. Whiskas
16. Science Diet
17. Fancy Feast
18. Meow Mix
19. Friskies
20. 9 Lives

Kittens need roughly twice the nutrients of adult cats, for both growth and energy. Obviously, their tummies cannot handle large quantities of food, so much like human babies they need frequent feedings at first, tapering off as they grow. It is important during this time to weigh the kittens regularly, to ensure they are gaining regularly, but not becoming overly fat.

At 6 Weeks: Four or more small feedings, spaced regularly throughout the day.
12 Weeks: Increase the amount of each meal, and gradually space them out to three meals a day.
Around 6 Months:You may gradually space out the meals to twice daily.
Adult Cats

Unless a kitten is showing excessive weight gain, he is considered an "adult" at the age of one year, and for the next nine years or so, may be fed adult "maintenance" food twice daily, with supplements of dry food when needed, as listed below.

Dry Food

Dry food is more for the convenience of the caregiver than for the nutritional needs of the cat. This subject is discussed more fully in the article on Canned Cat Food. However, in the past, cats have lived long and happy lives on an exclusive diet of dry foods, and for working caregivers, adult cats may be fed a meal of canned food morning and night, with dry food left out for "grazing."

Geriatric and Special Needs Cats

Older cats and cats with conditions requiring specific dietary needs may need to be fed more often. It is best with these cats to follow your veterinarian's directions for feeding, both to schedule and type of food.

Some human foods are toxic to cats, even in small amounts, such as onions or chocolate.
Most human food is either too highly spiced, or too fat-laced to be good for cats. Even though the food may smell appealing, tummy aches or vomiting might be the end result.
A cat regularly fed human food will either lose his taste for his own food, or be too full to eat it. Either way, he will lose the essential nutrients, including taurine, so necessary for cats to survive and thrive.
Allowing cats to eat "at the table" is creating your own home-grown monster. You may find your guests appalled at having a cat at the table, and your cat will be miffed at being banished.

The demand for milk by nursing kittens will continue to increase for about 20 to 30 days. Consequently, the female’s food and water requirements increase during this time. The female may have to be fed two to three times a day. Fresh water in a clean container should be available for drinking. Dry food should be fed moistened during this period to increase the female’s food intake and to encourage the kittens to start to nibble solid food.

When kittens are three to four weeks of age, the weaning process is underway: the kittens’ interest in solid food begins and the female’s interest in nursing declines. Moistened food in a shallow dish (this can be the same dish used by the female, if it is shallow enough for the kittens to eat from) should be available to the kittens for several hours each day. At this time, the female’s food intake will gradually decrease. By the time the kittens are weaned, the female’s food consumption should again be near normal levels.

On the first day of weaning, the queen should not be fed, but water should be available. On three successive days, limited feeding, ¼, ½, and ¾ the normal maintenance amount respectively, is recommended. On the fifth day, the food is increased to the amount the queen was fed prior to breeding.

Reducing the queen's food intake and then gradually increasing it helps decrease milk production and aids in the maintenance of healthy mammary glands. If, after this time, the queen’s body condition is such that more food is needed, increase her food intake until her condition is back to normal.

Having settled that a cat is better off not being overweight, we now must decide what is the ideal weight for our cat. This varies from one cat to another, depending mainly on two basic factors:

Breed - This is the fundamental parameter in assessing a cat's ideal weight. For the larger breeds, such as the Maine Coon, a large fully-grown male can weigh 18 pounds (8 kilos) without being the least overweight. A female of a smaller breed, the Singapura, may actually be overweight at a mere 7 pounds (3 kilos)! You can find the weight ranges for different cat breeds at PetsMart cat breeds directory. Cats that are not purebred should usually weigh between 8-12 pounds (3.5-5.5 kilos), depending on the cat's bone structure.

Sex - There is a noticeable difference in weight between males and females of the same breed. Males are usually 2-4 pounds heavier than females.

Note that whether a cat is neutered or not should not affect its weight. The only difference is that, in order to achieve the same weight, neutered cats require about a third less calories. If they eat as much as they did before the operation, they are liable to experience a serious weight gain. You should not accept this weight gain as "natural" or "expected." It must be dealt with like any weight gain and treated accordingly.

Assessing Your Cat's Weight
The best way to tell if your cat is overweight is by checking the cat. Move your hands along the sides of the body and gently try to feel the ribs. If the cat is within range of its ideal weight, you should be able to easily count the ribs. The ribs should be covered with a layer of fat, but not to an extent that would make it difficult to feel them.

With obese cats it is easy to see that they are larger than usual, have a large abdomen, and experience difficulty walking and grooming themselves. Obesity can sometimes be a side-effect of a more serious disease and requires urgent veterinary attention.

Weight Loss Plan
If your cat is overweight, you should take care and help it lose weight. Talk to your veterinarian and work out a plan for the cat's gradual weight loss. You and your vet should set the weight loss goals and fix sensible timetables. The basic line of the plan would be feeding the cat with specially formulated low-cal cat food and setting an exercise/play regime.

Please note that kittens should never be put on a weight loss diet, unless under strict veterinarian instructions. Kittens need all the nutrients they can get, including fat, to achieve adequate growth rate.

Healthy slimming for your pet


Surveys show that 50% of dogs and cats in the UK are currently overweight, which is defined as 15% over ideal bodyweight. Overweight pets are at higher risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, skeletal and breathing problems, skin disease, diabetes and arthritis.

Those extra little treats can really add up, and they don't give your pet the nutrition that it needs. Like people, pets don't necessarily like what is good for them! But it is not just overindulgence that can lead to overweight pets, some dog breeds are genetically inclined to obesity. These include such as the Labrador Retriever, Cairn Terrier, Long Haired Dachsund, Basset Hound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Beagle. Neutering or spaying can increase a pet's propensity to gain weight also.

Dogs and cats have different kinds of weight problems. The risk of a dog becoming overweight increases throughout its life, while for cats the risk of becoming overweight increases after it is three years old but decreases after it reaches the age of six

Many veterinarians recommend changing from a growth food to an adult-type food at the time of spaying or neutering which is usually between six and nine months of age. Neutering reduces the energy needs of kittens. A veterinarian may recommend feeding fewer calories, such as adult-type food, to help reduce the chance of kittens from becoming obese. Other veterinarians recommend waiting until the kitten is at least 12 months old. Probably the two most important criteria to keep in mind are to choose a product which has a complete and balanced claim for the appropriate life stage and to closely monitor the animal's body condition as it matures. These two factors should always be considered when you are discussing when to change your pet's diet with your veterinarian.

As cats grow older, their dietary needs change. Older pets are often more finicky about what they’ll eat and may prefer to eat smaller portions at a sitting. Some have fewer and more sensitive teeth than in their younger days and find it harder to eat food that requires a lot of chewing.

Digestion takes longer for older pets, and their metabolism slows down. “In general, the older the animal becomes, the less active it’s going to be,” says Dottie LaFlamme, D.V.M., Ph.D., a veterinary nutritionist with Ralston Purina.

“With less activity comes a reduction in lean muscle mass and lean body mass, so the energy requirements of the older animal tend to be reduced.” A common mistake made by owners is to feed their elderly pets the same amount of calories as was needed when the animal was younger and more active, resulting in an overweight pet; though some older animals do remain active, and require the same caloric intake to maintain their weight.

“Excess weight is especially hard on a senior cat”, cautions Dr. Lawrence Fox, a Chicago area veterinarian and a Diplomate with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. “It overloads the muscles and the joints, it increases the demands on the heart and lungs, and it is associated with such conditions as diabetes and kidney disease.”

For some pets, old age can bring with it the opposite trend – the tendency to be underweight. “A lot of senior pets have a hard time absorbing and digesting their food, and those pets need increased nutrition and a higher caloric diet in order to keep their weight up,” Dr. Fox says.

How and what you feed your pet in its later years can make a significant impact on the animal’s well-being. “The diet isn’t going to cure or prevent a disease, but it might help the animal deal with the illness or feel better while it has the disease,” Dr. LaFlamme says. Dietary management plays an important role in the control of many ailments common to older cats such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, kidney failure, dental problems and cancer.

Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s particular health needs and together discuss the variety of pet foods on the market and what type is best for your geriatric cat. If your pet has a chronic illness, your veterinarian may recommend a special diet to help with that problem in particular. For example, a cat with a heart condition may do well with a low sodium senior diet.

Rather than leave food out for your pet all the time, LaFlamme says you should feed your pet at specific times during the day, preferably in the morning and again in the evening. “Meal-feeding is better for older animals because it helps you monitor their food intake, to make sure they’re not eating too much or too little, and to know if they’re having trouble getting food down,” she says. Be sure to measure the amount of food you give your pet so that you know how much you should increase or decrease the portions should your pet start losing or gaining weight.

For many pet owners, an aging pet is an old friend in need of a little special care. Taking time to re-evaluate your senior pet’s changing nutritional needs is a small kindness you can do for him that can have a big impact on his quality of life.

Cats require approximately 45kcal/lb/day of metabolizable energy (ME). The type of food they eat and the cat's activity level will determine the amount of food necessary to meet this requirement. For a normally active 10 lbs. cat, hunting mice on its own, this is about 10 mice a day. For a 10lb. cat eating cat food, this is about 1 cup of dry food or 10oz of canned food a day. Cats vary widely in their food requirements, though. The best guideline is to judge each cat's needs individually. Feed them enough to maintain their ideal body weight but not more than that. The relationship between size of the cat and dietary needs is not exactly linear. A small cat (6 lbs.) would require about 3/4th of a cup of food, while a big cat (12 lbs.) only requires slightly more than one cup -- about a tablespoon more, again assuming "normal" activity and health. I was not able to find any references to stool volume excreted. This would vary according to the digestibility of the food. One of the selling points of premium diets has always been lower stool production.

Cats are thought to consume between 20 and 30ml/lb/day of water. Using this formula, a 10 lbs. cat will drink 200 to 300cc of water or about a cup of water a day. A cup is about 250cc of water.

This too can vary widely. Urine output closely matches water intake, usually running between 22 and 30ml/kg/day.

Activity levels have a great effect on dietary needs. I am pretty sure that this is probably also true of ambient temperature and other factors.

Water is one of the most important nutrients cats require. It helps regulate body temperature, digest food, eliminate waste, lubricate tissue and allow salt and other electrolytes to pass through the body. Because a cat’s body has limited capacity to store water, life may continue for weeks in the absence of food, but only for a few days if water is not available. Fresh drinking water in a clean bowl should be available to a cat at all times.

Cats have gotten their reputation for being finicky not necessarily because it's their nature. It's usually because of the way we, their owners, feed them. The more variety a cat is offered, the more likely she will develop finicky eating habits. The best advice is to find a quality complete and balanced cat food that your cat likes and stick with it. After all, you don't want to give cats a bad reputation.

Dinner Time Routine
It’s easy to look at a furry Maine Coon and sleek Siamese and see that all cats are not alike. Just as they look different, they also have different food requirements, depending on their age, activity level and metabolism. Still, here are a few guidelines on feeding your adult cat:

Feed your cat at the same time and in the same place each day.
If you are feeding a cat a special adult cat food designed to help promote urinary tract health, it’s important that that kind of diet be available for the cat to eat free-choice all day.
The average 7 to 9 pound cat, with normal activity, requires about one eight-ounce measuring cup of dry or semi moist food per day.
Cats exposed to the outdoors will require more nutrients during cold weather.
Use feeding instructions on your cat food as a guideline, but monitor your cat’s body condition to avoid overfeeding.
People Food
Often, out of love, many cat owners will supplement their cat’s diet with “people food” or scraps. In general, it’s best not to do this because it can lead to obesity, but also because some people foods can cause kitty health problems.
Raw eggs can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin, which can lead to dermatitis, hair loss, and poor growth.
Some raw fish can cause a deficiency of the vitamin thiamine.
Raw meat may contain parasites, and feeding meat exclusively is not complete and balanced nutrition.
Raw liver can cause vitamin A toxicity.
Bones, especially pork or poultry bones, may splinter and lodge in a cat’s mouth or throat.
Don’t Forget the Water!
Water provides many important vitamins and minerals. It’s very important for the health of your cat that fresh drinking water in a clean bowl is available at all times.

The trouble with fish. There is a condition known as steatitus or "yellow fat disease" that occurs when cats are fed a diet of only fish. Not the cat food fish with all of the additives. But canned catfood of the fish flavor has another problem. When fish decomposes, it releases histamines. And histamines are the culprits it alot of allergies. (That's why we take antihistamines for allergies and colds.) Well, this fish isn't fit for human consumption, so guess who gets it? That's right. Our kitties. And when you think about the origins of the cat, they didn't evolve with fish as food. They lived on birds and rodents. (thanks, cat doc)

Cats require certain dietary needs and animal derived nutrients in it's diet. They are not vegetarians and are unable to live long on a completely meat-free diet. A well-fed cat is active and alert with bright eyes and glossy coat.

Feed your cat prepared foods only from a reputable manufacturer at room temperature. Do not feed your cat food intended for a dog or another animal. Try to fed your cat at the same time of day and in the same place to establish a routine. A fresh bowl of water and dry cat food from a reputable manufacter to graze on should be available at all times. Food bowls and feeding utensils should be kept clean at all times.

Your cat should be fed two or three small meals a day. Kittens require extra feeding. Please visit my new kittens page for more information on a kitten's dietary needs. The meals should be fresh and disposed of when the cat is finished.

Your cat can also be served a treat of fresh food a couple of times a week. Cats love fresh fish and chicken. Make sure you carefully remove any small bones from fish and chicken before serving.

Watch your cat's weight and do not let your cat overeat. Felines like humans suffer health consequences from being over weight such as heart problems, arthritis and shorter life expectancy. An average adult cat should weight between 9 to 11lbs varying according to the type of breed. Male cats tend to be heavier in general. If your cat is over weight consult your vet first to make sure your cat is not over weight due to a hormonal problem. Once this has been ruled out, your vet can advise you on a feline weight loss plan. It is also important to consult your vet if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours.

http://www.geocities.com/mlminfopages/Not2feedCats.html

This is a link to information on what not to feed cats. I recieved permission from Drs Foster& Smith to re-print on my webpages, so I can only supply the link here.

I grew up with cats.. in fact a cat was the first animal I knew.. having a dog during wartime wasn't a good option!

But I find it almost comical reading all these 'feeding instructions'.......... Kit-e-Cat wasn't coming in tins then and kibbles were an unknown quantity! Cats were fed table food! Nothing sumptious I agree but it was food! Cats used to supplement by catching mice and, sadly, the occasional bird.

I think people are over-doing this feeding business.. it's a business for the manufacturers... but not for the animals! Odd then that cats have obesity problems noadays!

hexie


P.S.: I had a cat that loved strawberries and icecream! His paw was quicker than my hand.

Overweight on chicken breast?????? Gimme a break! OK in the old days chicken had more fat on them........ made a better "soup for the soul" broth.............. and I do wish chicken had some substance now!

I can remember when chicken tasted !good! what we eat now, even organic, is nothing like chicken.. the taste has gone!

hexie

Yes, cats just as dogs, can be overfed, and the richer the food, the fatter they get....and too, back then, the cat system seemed tougher, as they spent more time outside....

Michelle

I don't know about that Michelle, never had a 'fat cat' (hey we got plenty of them in our government! - want to swop? LOL) but truth is...... our pets take after their owners.

It never ceases to amaze me when I see a skinny kid next to a 'fat' mother! Doesn't happen very often.

hexie