Raw Feeding Amount Thoughts/Experience Sought

[Xandria]

When it comes to feeding home made raw to Sphynx under 1 year old, I'm a firm believer in:

• feed as much as they'll eat in 20 minutes
• feed 3-4 times per day

Although I understand there are caveats to the above (i.e. a Sphynx that cannot control food intake).

I feed Max 4 times per day and he's now at a solid .25 lb (4 oz) per feeding, for a total of 1 lb (16 oz) of food per day. Some meals he consumes in under 5 minutes, others 10 minutes. Sometimes he leaves a little in his bowl, and other times I feed him a little more.

He's just over 6 months, and a solid build, but not overweight. He seems reasonably active and we do play quite a bit. He's also quite good at knowing when he's full and stops eating of his own accord.

This past week it seems like he could eat more than 4 oz per feeding.

On the one hand I am happy to continue increasing his portions as I figure he's a kitten, and of course still growing. On the other hand, 4 oz per feeding seems like quite a bit. Hubby suggests buying an entire camel or kangaroo (his favourite two proteins) carcass and letting Max just have at it LOL.

Does more than 4 oz per feeding seem excessive?

I guess I'm just looking for feedback from others who've gone through this and want to know that it's okay to increase his portions (unless it looks like he's getting fat). And I value anyone else's opinions as well, of course.

Thanks.

​

 

[MelissaAlice]

Jeepers .. He eats in one sitting a little bit less then Elfie eats all day!

Toothless is at about 2oz per feeding 3 times a day right now; but is only 4mths and very tiny.

 

[Kate]

My guys each eat a 1/4 cup three times per day, not sure what that translates to in pounds or ounces? But 4 pounds of turkey mixed with the BiTR makes 36 servings (in case you wanted to do the math ).

He's probably having a growth spurt and might need additional food from time to time. As long as he's not gaining weight unreasonably, keep doing what your doing!

 

[Kate]

@Xandria your little guy reminds me so much of my Jack! Both very handsome boys I must say

 

[Xandria]

@Kate, very handsome indeed.

 

[TorchicPyro]

I'd say just keep on feeding what he'll eat, even if it's a lot of raw since he is still very young. He definitely looks very healthy!
My Sphynxs are about 8 months old now and eat quite a lot too but seem to burn it off fast during playtime and lots of random, constant, meowing lol.

 

[momdeeze]

@Xandria you are definitely on track! My two adult boys, 9# & just under 11# often eat over a pound of raw a day. We just feed them twice a day and like you, leave it out for about 20 minutes. Almost always it's gone and we will add a little more.

 

[Xandria]

Thanks, everyone. I think I really needed confirmation that I was on track. I feel better now.

 

[Sphynx Asylum Mom]

We feed our kiddos 5 thawed "ice cubes" of their chicken with BiTR twice a day (morning and night) and that equals about 1/3 lb each per meal per day. Each 16 cube tray equals about a pound of food. They go through one tray per meal between the three of them.
@KansasSphynxDad

 

[Calicocious]

I think you're on the right track. Unless you reach a point where the vet walks in the room and exclaims "oh my god what are you feeding him!" You're fine (y)

 

[naomi]

Yes definitely on track. You may find he slows down when he's a little over a year. Frida used to eat like this when she was growing and now eats a little over 4oz a day. I still let her eat pretty much what she wants. She seems to self regulate pretty well.

 

[Xandria]

That's great to know, @naomi, thank you! Max is becoming a very solid (but not fat) cat!! He's heavy! LOL

 

[naomi]

That's great to know, @naomi, thank you! Max is becoming a very solid (but not fat) cat!! He's heavy! LOL

No problem. I couldn't believe how much she used to eat. Frida is also very solid and muscular. Her 3.2kg is very tightly packed. I think this is one of the raw food effects. I think Max is gonna be a bigger cat than Frida so I am not surprised he is eating you out of house and home. Lol how big is he now?

I like this photo because you can see all my little predator's muscles.

 

[Xandria]

@naomi, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that pic of Frida. There is something about Sphynx musculature that is just splendid. It's like body sculpting for kitties! heee. I hope Max becomes so well formed. Frida is very inspiring.

And I agree, I think it's the raw food diet too.

I like your expression "my little predator". I call Max "my little carnivore". ha ha.

Max is just over 3 kg right now at 6.5 months. And when he tears around the house (we have two flights of stairs and three floors) you can hear it!

He's eating just over a quarter pound per feeding now. Sometimes a little less if he's not that hungry.

 

[naomi]

@Xandria max is already shaping up to be the most handsome guy! I can't believe he is already as big as Frida! I think she looks bigger in photos than she actually is. lol.
I call Frida a predator because she likes to "hunt" her food. She kinda pounces forward and backward and does this thing where she leans sideways and claws at it. It's pretty hilarious.

 

[Xandria]

Thank you, @naomi . Truly.

LOL at Frida. Max doesn't do that with his food, but he does it with his treats. OMG, he has to play with and kill his treats before he eats them. Lately he's been doing the same with his toys. He will hunt the toy, capture it in a specific location (on top of his cat tree), then drag it to his "kill box" (an empty box I can't discard as he likes it), play with it, and then drag its "carcass" to his feeding area.

Such fascinating creatures!

If I may be so bold, it might be fun to have coffee some time and talk Sphynx!

 

[naomi]

Thank you, @naomi . Truly.

LOL at Frida. Max doesn't do that with his food, but he does it with his treats. OMG, he has to play with and kill his treats before he eats them. Lately he's been doing the same with his toys. He will hunt the toy, capture it in a specific location (on top of his cat tree), then drag it to his "kill box" (an empty box I can't discard as he likes it), play with it, and then drag its "carcass" to his feeding area.

Such fascinating creatures!

If I may be so bold, it might be fun to have coffee some time and talk Sphynx!

Lol. The treat hunting made me laugh so hard. The little carnivore predators are the same.
I would love to grab a coffee sometime. It will be nice to chat with someone who won't get tired of hearing Sphynx stories.

 

[Xandria]

@naomi: do you ever do Turks on the Drive?

And no, never get tired of Sphynx stories. My girlfriend in Chicago always has to let me get the latest out of my system before we can carry on a normal conversation. ha ha.

 

[Xandria]

@naomi, I just got back from Tisol on Grandview, and Max is 3.3 kg! OMG!

 

[naomi]

@naomi, I just got back from Tisol on Grandview, and Max is 3.3 kg! OMG!

Holy kitten kaboodles! He is a monster kitty.

 

[Xandria]

He doesn't look that big, but he's solid. And so sweet... sigh. Love this cat!!!!

 

[naomi]

Lol frida is solid too but pretty small. You can probably see here how little she actually is.

 

[Xandria]

D'awwww, she's adorable!!! See you Wednesday!!!!