I need to attempt to train my 15 year old cat to eat a full meal and not constantly graze.
She's raw fed so I can't leave it down all day like you would with dry. I've split her meals into 4 so that she should be eating 41g at a time so over the full course of the day she should be eating around about 166g give or take. I've been tracking it over the week and she seems to be averaging about 156g although she should be eating no more than 120g but that's by the by since she's not overweight, not underweight either but doesn't want to be losing.
She seems to want to eat no more than 30g in one sitting but then half an hour later is hungry again so usually my husband gives in and gives her more, of which she will have a mouthful and then wander off. I'm leaving it down for a bit longer now that the weather has cooled off so if it's been an hour I'll chuck it so that she does have the option of coming back a bit later but then that has an impact on the next meal a few hours later, she's not hungry enough so the whole cycle starts again!
All the raw feeding websites suggest eating twice a day but she will never manage all of that in one go which is why I have to feed her 4 times a day now especially as she's getting old.
I'm fine with 4 times a day, I can make it work around our schedule but what I'm not fine with is 10 times a day!
How can I encourage her to eat a bit more in one go? Even first thing she won't finish a full meal although we feed her before we go to bed so we don't actually know when she last ate. Maybe that's the problem too?
I've always free fed my cats supermarket pouches (which she has no issue eating 1.5 of them in one go!)
Do I need to make it extra tasty for a bit whilst I'm trying to get her on meals? I read nutritional yeast is good to tempt them and I've been using the Thrive treats too.
I should also note that I suspect very early dementia although my husband doesn't agree. Just a few little things like suddenly (occasionally) weeing on hard floors, sitting looking in corners, randomly acting like she's never seen areas of our house before and they must be explored) I discussed it with the vet but there isn't anything I can do other than manage the symptoms which really aren't severe and it's really just a suspicion based on a feeling as opposed to any real solid evidence.
Any advice for me?