How much food to give old cats

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My two boys are about 14/15 (rescue so don't know exactly).

They are ALWAYS shouting for food (been wormed and checked over by the Vet).

They used to self-regulate more so I fed them when they asked. They used to just have complete biscuit type food which the vet recommended. But now they're older they seem to prefer wet food. If I give them too much they sometimes throw up. But I don't want to underfeed them.

I change the type of wet food regularly as they go off things quickly (but will still shout for food even with a full bowl 😉).

At what point do I dig my heels in - 3 sachets a day given in 6 servings (little and often for old tummies) and a few biscuits? More? Less?

Is that 3 sachet between them both or 3 each?

Are they gaining weight? Any other concerns?
Are they as active as normal? Could it just be boredom?
Have you seen any of those cat food toys? I'd suggest investing in them and see if that keeps them busy.

Could also just be the cold weather if they have started up recently, being cold can make them want to eat more or go out less. Building up reserves and all that.

I'm very much of the opinion that cats need high protein food, as little none meat matter as possible and wet food to help with hydration. What food are they on?

When, if ever, did they last have blood tests? Excessive hunger is one of the first signs of hyperthyroidism, very common in older cats.

If they're both eating well but start losing weight, do ask about hyperthyroidism - it's very common in elderly cats and better to catch early. Easy to treat with tablets or liquid.

Wet food does contain fewer calories than dry, so it may seem like they want more. I'd give them half a sachet at a time, it they're still hungry straight after and you give them more, at least they've had a break which may help.

Rafkils - 3 sachets each not between them. Today so far they've had

A sachet of Sheba soup each
Biscuits (Hills complete nutrition)
A bowl of cooked chicken each
A sachet of Sheba each

6 monthly Vet checkups as part of their care plan
Blood tests about 3 months ago
Been like this for over a year

I don't like to think they might be hungry, but equally I don't appreciate having to clean up cat sick cos they've eaten too much!

It might be their tummies are a bit more sensitive with being oldies, rather than overeating. When are they actually being sick?

Vets today - she thinks he's got hypothyroidism. Blood tests were all fine but need to wait a couple of days for thyroid results.

He was 4.1kg when I took him to the vets in November. 3.4kg today.

Glad you got him checked. Have you had the results yet? My girl was about 16 when she was diagnosed.

Thyroid results fine too

Vet says there's another thyroid test they can do, but that will be another £100. Or I could try worming him again (he's up to date).

Have you got insurance?

When my senior girl was first diagnosed with hyperthyroidism she needed the second (free T4) test to confirm the diagnosis too. It's worth it though so you can start medication if needed.

A thyroid test is much more accurate is done out of house, ie in a lab not in the surgery. It's certainly not cheap, I pay £96, but it includes full bloods, ie platelet counts, liver, kidney and other values, so it a really good test to rule out/confirm lots of conditions.

Unfortunately as they get older, they do get more expensive.

Honestly not worried about the cost. It just sounds a bit stab in the dark given that 2 lots of blood tests have come back fine. The Vet yesterday suggested we worm him again so will try that first. She also said that sometimes, even if thyroid tests come back ok it's still worth trying them on the medication. So we might suggest we do that rather than pay another £100 for a test.

Poor cat doesn't seem to be able to keep anything down now and is looking very unwell. Whatever I give him seems to come back after a while. A week ago he was only being sick once or twice a week (and I suspected a lot of that was due to overeating at the old lady's down the road - she puts warm milk and food out for cats and foxes) This weekend I've tried him a few times on small quantities of very finely chopped plain cooked chicken but then had to clean it up in a totally undigested state.

I know hyperthyroidism can make them vomit - but would it be that severe?

I'm taking him back to the vet in the morning and will see if she will put him straight on the thyroid medication without waiting for further tests.

Poor old boy ☹️