Diet

Question
Hello Carol,
My name is Lindsey and I have 2 cats that I have raised from 2 weeks old. I have 2 questions regarding their diet for you. The first is quite simple, do cats eat more around winter time? I have noticed that mine are wanting food more often. The next question requires more background on their eating habits, but I will try to make it as short as possible. I have never monitored their food intake until they both became overweight. (both are about 19 lbs each). I switched to indoor weight control food and have gradually cut their portions to 1/4 cup 4 times a day I feed them twice in the morning and twice at night (spread out over a few hours or so) and usually not during the day because im at work. But they always seem to want food in the middle of the night or very early in the morning. They whine, meow and act out until they get fed. And as I mentioned earlier they have been doing so more frequently in the night and even "asking" for food more frequently in the day when im home. How can i still properly manage their diet without them starving (although you wouldnt guess they were by looking at them lol) and acting out? Do I need to pick up the food bowl after its empty? Any other suggestions would be great! Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,
Lindsey  

Answer
Hi Lindsey!

Yes cats eat more during the colder months. That is mother nature's way of keeping them warm. It's instinct and nature vs an inside cat that doesn't need it.

Some cats are like some people....they are just BIG. Are you sure they are overweight? Have you spoken to a vet about it? Are they getting lots of 'hunting' exercise?

I am including a link to an EXCELLENT article on cat obesity. It tells how and what to feed your cats so they aren't 'starving' to death. It contains all the information you need to slim down your cats in a healthy and safe way. (Gee, that sounds like an advertisement! But don't worry, it's not)
Copy and paste or type the whole link into your address bar:

http://www.catnutrition.org/obesity.php

I hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to write anytime.

Carol