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Cats/Feeding and litter habits

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Expert: - 11/10/2007


Question
Hi there!  I recently became a first time kitten owner.  I have adopted 2 male cats, one tabby (6 mos.) and a very frail tiny black kitten (3 mos).  Artie and Sasha are very normal playful kittens and have lots of energy.  Here's the problem.  I feed Sasha (1-1/2 pounds) 1/3 cup of hard food every morning and also at dinner time.  I give Artie (5-1/2 pounds) 1/2 cup in the am and 1/2 cup at dinnertime.  I empty their litter daily because there are anywhere from 6-9 piles of poop (DAILY!)   Am I feeding them too much or is it normal for cats to poop all day long and all night long? I have never owned a pet and have no clue about these issues. Most books I've read about cats don't really say how much they are supposed to go in the litter.  Maybe you could clue me in on that specific area.  Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Kelly,

Cats poop a lot because they are getting rid of indigestible material. You might want to change the type of cat food you are feeding them. Since they are males and hopefully are getting fixed I would give them a can of wet food with a little extra water in it. This will help them prevent a urinary tract infection, (more water in their system). Also there aren't a lot fillers in the wet food. I would also change their dry food to a low carb, high protein cat food.
EVO, Wellness, Nature's Variety, Innova are all examples of this type of dry food. Cats are meat eaters. They don't need corn and stuff like that. If you change them over form one dry food to another do it gradually. Add a little of the new to the old each day until you have them switched over to all new by the weeks end.
All of these things will eliminate the amount of stools the cats are leaving you. You should have one a day from each then. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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