r/dechonkers • u/Its-JJ-Style • 3d ago
Dechonkin Meet Lua!
This is my cat Lua. Over many years he became obese and I really want to get him own to a healthier weight. Right now he is about 22 pounds and that has been his average for the last many months to a year. I have 4 cats and they all free feed on dry food that's out 24/7 and get wet food meals in the morning and at night. He's the only one who is "overweight" of them all.
I'm hesitant to switch them to scheduled feeding, though I know this is going to be the only way I can portion control with him as I have other cats. Has anyone else successfully switched from free feeding to scheduled feeding? How difficult was it? I'm only worried that they won't eat enough when I offer food, or they'll become desperate for food.
4
u/westcoastcdn19 3d ago
Scheduled feeding saved my cat’s life. Before I adopted her she was free fed and got up to almost 24 pounds. She had not been able to clean herself and eventually the owners gave up on her and surrendered her to the shelter.
It is not hard to plan structured meals once you determine appropriate portions for your cat and feed accordingly. You will need to count calories so you can track progress .
3
u/tootingjo 3d ago
I have one skinny cat that very much suits free feeding, he just loves eating little and often. He just doesn't seem to understand that he has to eat the whole bowl of food at the time it's given. To be honest he is more of a problem than the chonker on a diet, who adapted pretty well to getting 3 regular meals. But I think most cats do adapt to a regular feeding schedule pretty well. It makes sense to try it, and I hope the transition goes well. Microchip feeders can help if you want to give one or two cats access to food all day. My skinny guy is nervy and hates the machine so it hasn't worked for us yet, but I'm still trying.
1
u/Sea-Belt35 3d ago
We switched a few months ago to scheduled feedings, it's not too annoying. My chonk is the bully that eats her 2 brothers' food. We do 1-2 dry feedings during the day and then wet food for dinner.
1
u/Kellby58 2d ago
2 cats, both females, 15 and 22 lbs. Vet said both needed to lose weight. Fatty very food motivated. I started scheduled feeds about 18 months ago, strictly wet food (half can twice a day) and a counted number of kibble (dental td so they are bigger, 5 at each meal). About 220 calories per day each. My 22 lb cat has dropped to 16 lbs and the 15 lb er is about 12 now. Both females. I feed them in separate rooms or fatty will push skinny out of the way. They figured out within a few days that they needed to finish it.
6
u/Visible-Progress-874 3d ago
I haven’t had the problem of having several cats, but have been recently educated on the problems associated with free feeding. So I’d say it’s a win-win situation for all kitties.