Is it ok for my cat to eat so much??

[basildonbond]

He's an ex-Dubai street cat who's been with us since the start of the summer. He's a Mau so has very short fur and no undercoat. He is NOT impressed with the cold and is now only going out for about 10 mins max. We now know that the warmest place in the house is on the beanbag in ds's bedroom . For the last week or so he's been eating non-stop - he must be eating at least 3 times what dcat1 is allowed (she's on a strict diet). Is this his way of keeping warm(er)? dd wants to get him a coat but he loves climbing trees and I worry it would get caught on something when he's out and about

How much is Shuri actually getting through? And remind me - I know he's an oriental/arab type but is he a big rangy cat or a small slight boy?

dcat1 is on 40g a day of hill's tooth diet - Shuri's getting at least 120g plus a few treats as dd is trying to clicker train him

he's a very big (and very noisy!) boy - about 5kg of solid muscle (which I'm hoping will stay as muscle rather than flab )

Sounds OK to me, basildon. He's a young, fit cat who's pretty active normally and he's eating about the same amount as Seniorboy does at the moment (when he can stir himself from the depths of his electric blanket.) And your other cat is an older girl if I recall?

Just keep a gentle eye on him in case his upbringing makes him inclined to be piggy, I guess, because you don't want a podge. I would have no concerns though - as long as that 5 kg is good muscle.

PS - That's a real strict diet for the other cat though. Is it vet supervised?

Sorry - doing three things here plus watching a movie. Is that 120 g that he's eating dry food?

Thanks cozietosie - dcat1 is on a two-monthly weigh-in at the vet - she's very lazy (is 12 now) and only has to look at food to start putting on weight - we've gradually managed to get her weight down but we have to watch her like a hawk (and ask all the neighbours not to feed her too ...)

Yes it's dry food

That's slightly different - more concentrated. I'd be tempted to try him with some wet food - but more importantly, to substitute some foraging food toys for his normal kibble receptacle.

(I'm thinking that as an active ex-street cat from the Middle East, he may be wanting to stay in because of the weather and his short coat but then be a little bored and using ready nosh as a substitute for hunting food down. Making him forage for food inside the house could perk up his spirits in the long winter months.)

PS - loads of guidance on the net about making foraging food toys although you can buy ready made kibble balls at the supermarket or pet store to keep you going until you've honed those rusty Blue Peter skills and collected enough toilet roll innards!

That's a good idea :) I think you're right about him being a bit bored - in the summer he'd be out patrolling the gardens for several hours a day (weirdly he's completely diurnal though - always goes to bed in the evening and doesn't get up until I do). For the last few days he's only going out for minutes at a time and he's talking ALL the time

Will try getting him to forage a bit - thanks again

Probably worth a try for the lad - and it's also something (making foraging toys) that you could get DD involved with.

Good luck anyway and let us know how it goes.

I agree he sounds frustrated at not going out and 120g seems a little high without exercise. Can you get or usea toy on the end of a fishing rod? I find these good for running up and down the stairs or round the living room. Also laser pens.

I have also thrown pieces of kibble from one side of room to the other so they have to chase it. But if they are used to tasty treats they may sniff it in disgust! I'd be tempted to cut back on treats too.