Switching from set times for feeding to free feeding of a cat

Question

My cat Shiloh I believe the amount of food the vet recommended is not enough for him, I picked him up tonight and he is losing weight. The amount the vet said to use was to maintain, so it is failing to maintain his weight. What I give him now is 1/4 of dry food in the AM, 1 small can of wet food when I get home from work. Right now he wakes me up at 1 or 2 in the morning for more food. So I see 2 options

1) add a third mean at night before I go to bed (1/4 dry) I am adding 50% as I felt he has lost weight and I think he needs it back.

2) figure out how to transition him to a free feeding cat (keep the dry food out all the time for him when he wants, then a can of wet food as a treat when I get home from work in the pm.

If I am to switch to free feeding, what is the best way, would it be just put a bigger bowl down and fill it up? Or do I want to build up to the big bowl, and if so how?

Answer 1

Feline Obesity

Free feeding is never advised as most cats will eat more than they should, cats who are bored are also prone to consider eating an activity and will indulge way more than they should.

In order to better guide you on how much to feed your cat it would be good to know how much he weighs, what he should weigh and the type of food he is on.

It is best to feed multiple small meals a day in various locations around your house (to promote hunting) as well as using puzzle feeders (environmental enrichment). Cats prefer to eat alone and in high places (reduce stress).

Rule Out Disease

If you are feeding the correct amounts already and your cat is still losing weight it would be advised to see a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues.

Related Question: Can I feed my cat whenever she wants?

Answer 2

I have free fed in past and overall was not good for my cats. I had a Russian Blue cat got bored during day when I was at work (although he had buddies to play with) and got to 18 lb and became diabetic for 6-1/2 years. At that point all cats when to getting fed 7am and 7pm for 15-20 minutes and I would pick up all the food except their water which was left all day. All cats weights,whether the went up or down in weight turned out to be much better weight for them then free feeding.i actually adopted 2 cats that were underweight and the fosters wondered how they would adapt leaving their current free feeding. One 6 year old cat was way under weight to begin with at 7 lb since he's a Norwegian Forest cat who is HUGE. He now weighs 18 lb. The other cat who is a Persian was a bit skinny also gained 3 lb eating only twice a day and they both seem perfect weight! All my cats know when it becomes about 30-45 minutes before feeding time and anxiously await their timed food. This feeding only twice a day works great and has been best system with feeding.

Answer 3

If a cat loses weight on free feeding that may be manageable via diet. Some of the senior cat foods are formulated to try to increase appetite, I believe. That helped when my 14yo lady, already small, lost some weight.

Might be worth asking vet about that option.

I've always done free feeding, and have never had an obesity problem, even when the kibble is supplemented with a daily half-can of wet food. But it can be an issue if the cat is food-insecure, as is not uncommon with ex-ferals, and it may tempt rodents (who then risk becoming cat toys). I've seen it be both successful and unsuccessful with friends' cats. Puzzle feeders (and puzzles that release treats) are good things. Multiple small meals unattended can be achieved with timed feeders. Advantage of free or timed is that the cat knows that waking you up will not get them food any sooner.

Caveat: I Am Not A Vet.