Is 2 cans of wet food a day enough for a kitten
How To Calculate How Much Wet Food to Feed a Cat
Why Its Crucial to Calculate How Much Food to Feed a Cat
You might wonder why its important to determine the exact amount of wet cat food you should give your cat? As of 2017, an estimated 60 percent of cats in the US are classified as clinically overweight or obese. Thats about 56.5 million cats who are too heavy, and extra weight has a dramatic, negative effect on feline health.
Overweight cats are at an increased risk for congestive heart failure, skin disorders, infections, diabetes mellitus, complications associated with anesthesia and surgery, hepatic lipidosis (a potentially fatal liver disease), and some types of cancer.
Feeding cats wet food is never as simple as just opening up a can and letting them eat until theyre full. Indoor cats, in particular, tend to burn few calories throughout the day, and they become bored, which we all know can lead to excessive eating and weight gain. Pet parents need to take a strategic approach to measuring out cat foodto prevent or deal with weight gain in cats.
How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Cat?
For starters, have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian. He or she will weigh your cat, identify your cats ideal weight, and determine the number of calories your cat should take in every day to reach that goal.
A pet calorie calculator can also get you into the ballpark. If your cat is severely overweight, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription cat foodfor weight loss; otherwise an over-the-counter weight control cat foodshould suffice.
Next, look at the label of your cats wet food. At best, the feeding instructions will be somewhat vague, and they certainly dont apply to every cat in every situation. It helps do some math. A wet cat foods caloric content should be listed somewhere on the label.
For example, American Journey minced chicken and tuna recipe provides 73 calories per 3-ounce can. If you cant find this information, look it up on the manufacturers website or give them a call.
Lets say your veterinarian has determined that your cat should take in 240 calories per day. In this example, you simply need to divide 240 by 73 to determine how many 3-ounce cans of the American Journey chicken and tuna recipe you should offer your cat daily.
240 / 73 = 3.3
Therefore, your cat needs to eat roughly 3 1/3 cans of this food per day.
Cat Food Portions Matter
Cats who have a hard time keeping slim should be fed several measured meals of cat food throughout the day rather than having 24/7 access to food.
How often should you feed your cat? You and your veterinarian can discuss the right frequency based on your situation. But, in general, cats do best when they eat multiple smaller meals throughout the daytwo at a minimum, but more might be better.
The math that you just performed can help inform your decision. In the example that weve used, the cat should be eating 3 1/3 cans per day. Wouldnt it make sense to feed three meals of one can each with the extra third of a can added to the last meal of the day? Whatever you decide, simply divide the number of cans you need to feed in a day by the number of meals you want to provide, and youll have the right portion for each meal.
If youre watching your cats weight, youll also need to subtract the calories provided by any treats you give as well as any dry food you offer. If it helps, keep a log of your cats daily caloric intake goals and then track the food and cat treatsyou give throughout the day to help keep your cats weight on track.
Small-Portion Wet Cat Food Trays
Foods that are already divided into meal-sized portions, like Sheba Perfect Portions grain-free multipack and Nutro Perfect Portions grain-free multipack can reduce the chances that you will inadvertently feed too much at any one time.
How Many Cans of Wet Cat Food Should My Cat Eat Per Day?
February 24, 2023
How Many Cans of Wet Cat Food Should My Cat Eat Per Day?
How Many Cans Of Cat Food Per Day
From soft pts to gravy-laden chunks of meat, canned cat food has a particularly delectable appeal for most felines. Its the literal cats meow! Canned cat food is extremely palatable, and the premium texture of the food provides your cat with a scrumptious mealtime experience. A variety of flavors allows you to provide your cat with new meal options throughout the week.
If your cat loves lapping up a bowl of canned cat food, you might even find your adorable feline begging for more when mealtime is done, which leads to the question: How many cans of wet cat food per day is the right amount? Its not always clear since, with the high moisture content of canned cat food, youll need to feed your cat more wet food than you would dry kibble.
How many cans of cat food per day you feed your cat has a lot to do with the food you choose, as well as the size and age of your cat. Lets take a look at how many cans of wet cat food is the right amount to contribute to a healthy, happy cat.
How Many Calories Are in a Can of Cat Food?
As you consider how many cans of cat food to feed your cat in a day, it can be helpful to begin by understanding how many calories are in a can of cat food. While the total number of calories in a single can of cat food will vary based on the brand, type of food, and size of the can, the following is a rough estimate of most canned cat food:
- In a 3-ounce can: 70125 calories
- In a 5.5-ounce can: 120180 calories
- In a 12.5-ounce can: 360450 calories
Always read the label on your canned cat food to find out how exactly how many calories are in the particular recipe you have chosen. That will help you as you calculate the number of cans to feed per cat per day.
Choosing the Right Amount of Cat Food for Your Cat
Choosing how many cans of wet food per day for your cat is an important decision. Too little food and your cat might lose weight or even become ill. Too much food and your cat might become overweight or obese, which can lead to a variety of other health conditions.
To calculate the number of cans of cat food to feed your feline family member, start by determining if you have a 3-ounce, 5.5-ounce, or 12.5-ounce can. From here, always follow the feeding guidelines on the can. Most cans will provide you with a recommendation based on the weight of your cat and the amount of food in each individual can. It is also important to include any dry kibble you are feeding your cat along with the canned food in your calculation.
How Many Cans of Cat Food per Day for a Kitten?
For kittens, due to their small size, most cat parents opt to use one 3-ounce can of kitten food. Make sure to look for a recipe designed for kittens, as kittens have vastly different nutritional needs than adult cats. For example, Wellness Complete Health Pt Kitten Recipe is designed specifically for a growing kitten.
The feeding instructions for a 3-ounce can of kitten food are age dependent.
- 011 weeks: feed until full 34 times per day
- 1126 weeks: feed of a can per pound of body weight per day
- 2652 weeks: feed of a can per pound of body weight per day
Choose a Healthy Diet for Your Feline Family Member
Remember, all of these measurements are estimations. Make sure you pay careful attention to your cats body condition. Just like us humans, every cat is a little different when it comes to its metabolic rate.
If you notice your cat is gaining a little extra weight, you might consider decreasing its intake by 10%. If, on the other hand, your cat is losing weight, you might want to consider increasing its daily food intake by 10%.
Always speak to your vet to determine the exact caloric intake your cat needs or if your cat is suddenly gaining or losing weight. Highly active cats will need to eat more than sedentary cats. Not only that, but if your cat requires a specific diet due to an underlying health concern, you may need to lower or raise its food intake.
Your vet can help you determine whether or not your cat is in a healthy weight range and the specific amount of food that will help keep your feline companion on a path to wellness.
Wellness Pet Food Has You Covered!
If you are interested in feeding your cat a healthy diet, consider trying one of our canned foods. Choose from a variety of options, and rest assured that all of our recipes use high-quality proteins and are made with natural, wholesome ingredients.And best of all, every Wellness cat wet delivers a taste that 9 in 10 cats love*. Catisfaction Guaranteed. We are confident that with Wellness, your cat will love the taste but if for any reason your cat is the 1 in 10 who doesnt, Wellness will always offer you a money back guarantee.
Try the Wellness Complete Health Pt Chicken & Herring Recipe, a protein rich meal that supports the 5 Signs of Wellbeing for adult cats. What are the 5 Signs of Wellbeing? Healthy skin and coat, optimal energy, immune health, healthy teeth and bones and digestive health from a highly digestible recipe.Alternatively, if you have a senior cat, give the Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage recipe a try. This formula is designed for cats 7+ years of age to support healthy aging with the right balance of protein and fat, plus natural glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and optimal mobility as your cat ages.
If you cant make up your mind, give our variety pack a try and let your cat decide! At Wellness, we believe that mealtime for your cat is more than just a bowl of food. Its the foundation for a longer and healthier life. Thats why we craft delicious, healthy canned cat foods you can feel good about giving to your furry feline friend.
Dont just take our word for it. With Wellness cat food, Catisfaction is guaranteed. 9 out of 10 cats love Wellness*!
* Based on Studies of Wellness Cat at an Independent Kennel. Data on File.
How Much Wet Food to Feed a Kitten Per Day?
One of the most important decisions you will make for your kitten is to decide on how to meet its nutritional needs. This is not always a simple choice since there are so many options available for a discerning pet parent today.
In this article we are not only going to cover how much wet food to feed a kitten per day, but we will also discuss the differences in food quality and what you should look for when choosing a brand. If you are having a difficult time choosing the right option for your kitten, see our article on the best canned kitten food.
Protein for Taurine
There are some key ingredients your kitten will need. The most important nutrient cats need are good-quality proteins. This can be sourced from meat, poultry or fish.
Protein is essential in the development of muscles, tissues and the brain function of your feline. In addition, taurine is vital to the health and well being of the feline species. This amino acid cannot be manufactured in the animals body, so it must be utilized from its dietary intake. Where is taurine best utilized from? You guessed it. From meat, fish and poultry.
A lack of this important amino acid could lead to a taurine deficiency in your cat which will affect its heart, eyes and brain.
How to Shop for a Wet Cat Food
When choosing any cat food, whether it be wet, dry or semi-moist, the first ingredient should be a good quality protein sourced from a real meat, not a meat by-product. Also avoid foods that contain a lot of grain or fillers as these are cheap substitutes that companies use to bulk up the food, rather than use good nutritional ingredients.
Our favorite for kittens based on years of experience is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Wet Cat Food (see on Amazon.com).
Its recommended to feed the best food your budget will allow. Quality wet cat food will not only keep your cat fuller for longer (cutting down on the portion sizes) but will aid in its digestion, give it a healthier coat and help prevent many diseases. In addition, be sure to choose a cat food that is specifically made for kittens. Kitten food is higher in protein, providing your fur baby with the added nutrients and energy it needs to grow and be active.
How Much to Feed a Kitten Per Day
Theres no one answer to the question. This all depends on the age, size, individual cat and if it is its only dietary option.
Generally, growing kittens should be on a schedule. This allows you to control his dietary intake (which becomes more important later on in life) to avoid becoming overweight.
Your kitten should eat three times-per-day; morning, afternoon and evening. Read the package to determine what it recommends per-pound, per-day then divide that portion up into three equal meals.
The label is a good starting point when determining how much wet food to feed a kitten per day, but your individual cat will tell you if its too much or too little. For example, if he is gobbling up his food and always seems hungry with little to no weight gain, you may want to increase the amount and conversely offer less if hes beginning to gain too much weight. Also see the the weight of the kitten is at the right level and take into account whether your kitten is too lean or perhaps even too chubby (which is very rare for kittens). If she needs a bit more weight see our tips on how to fatten up a cat.
A Final Note
Cats that eat a consistent diet of wet food should be given daily crunchy treats to help reduce the amount of tartar build up on their teeth. Some pet parents also opt to mix a wet food into the dry kibble for both moisture and an extra kick or protein.
