How to switch over to a new diet. This cat will require more calories to maintain that healthy weight. On day 1, add 10% new food to 90% old food, mix in well. Feeding your feline companion isn’t overly complicated, but it is based on many variables, including the age of your cat, whether you’re feeding wet or dry food, and your cat’s activity level. However, a 15-pound, small-boned, overweight cat needs fewer calories. She’ll need plenty of energy and hydration to produce all the milk that the kittens require. How much should I feed my cat? However, it's essential to determine your cat's body condition. Related Article: As a cat parent, you may be wondering if you’re feeding your cat the right amount of food – is it too much or too little? Cats naturally eat several small meals per day. Whether you feed your cat wet or dry food is also a matter of preference. How much your cat needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and health. You will need to make sure that the mother cat has access to as much food and water as she wants. Your cat's weight can give you a basic guideline of how much to feed. Wet foods have a higher moisture content. Initially they will by fed by their mother. How much and what you feed them will depend on their age. Cats, like dogs, can be fed a raw food diet, and some holistic veterinarians even recommend that pet parents should have this as part of their cat’s lifestyle. Always read and follow the feeding instructions that relate to the cat food you buy. This is important for cats that don’t drink as much on their own and to maintain proper kidney function as your cat … If your cat has recently had an operation, it’s important to take care of them in the right way to give them the best chance of recovering quickly and effectively. There’s no exact guideline on how much to feed a cat but when deciding “How much should I feed my cat,” remember that what do cats eat and how often they do is critical, amongst other considerations, while feeding cats. In fact, as Jodie Gruenstern, DVM, points out, a raw food diet may be even more important for cats than it is for dogs “because they are stricter carnivores than dogs.” Find out how and what to feed your cat after surgery to support their health. Your cat's diet is one of the key ways you can give them a good start on the road to recovery. How much do you feed a 18 pound cat in order for him to lose weight - Answered by a verified Cat Veterinarian We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Make sure you feed your cat every day and try to split their daily intake into several small meals (unless advised otherwise by your vet). Bringing a new cat home, I always ask the shelter/breeder what my cat has been eating. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. A lean, muscular cat with large bones may weigh 15 pounds and be at a healthy weight. That way I can have some of their regular food on hand and gradually transition the cat over to what we feed. Dry foods are easier to prepare than wet foods and allow a cat to use his teeth.