+- The International Ragdoll Cat Guide and Forum (https://ragdollcatguide.ca)
+-- Forum: Ragdoll Cat Forums (https://ragdollcatguide.ca/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Forum: General Chat (https://ragdollcatguide.ca/forumdisplay.php?fid=20)
+--- Thread: Feral Advice Needed (/showthread.php?tid=502)
Feral Advice Needed - Smudge's Mom - 11-14-2020
As you know I am still taking care of the Wild Bunch. Winter is nearly here and I am looking for feeding advice.
I provide a shelter with heated beds and a feeding station with heated water and food bowls (Heaven forbid that the Condo Association ever discovers any of this). They are fed dry food 24/7 but I need suggestions on how much canned food they need to get them through a Michigan winter. Thank you for any information you can give me.
Gina (SmudgesMom)
RE: Feral Advice Needed - JanH - 11-15-2020
A healthy cat with enough water will do fine on dry food only. If you want to feed wet, then offer it and schedule by how fast it is eaten.
RE: Feral Advice Needed - Smudge's Mom - 11-15-2020
I usually start feeding at sunrise with about a cup and a half (eyeballed, not measured) of dry food which usually lasts until late afternoon. At the same time, I give a 5.5 oz. can of wet food. That is eaten in less than 5 minutes. At about 11:00-11:30 a.m. I give each of the girls a few Temptations. I give 1/2 can of food at about 1:30 and that lasts for the afternoon. Just before sundown, I give the other half can with the warning to eat fast before the skunk shows up for his share. When the sun goes down, I take whatever is left of the canned food and mix it up with some dry, add a cup of warm water to make it a mush and place it in the woods for the skunk to enjoy.
This is the cool/cold weather feeding plan. In the warm months, they just get 1/2 can of wet for breakfast (so they know I still love them) to go with free fed dry.
They appear to be well nourished. I just want to be sure that they have enough winter fat to make it through the 10 degree days that I am sure are coming.
RE: Feral Advice Needed - JanH - 11-15-2020
Cats tend to eat what they need - including for the weather at the time. (Their fur is probably much more important than their fat layer. Extra fat in the winter is usually to make up for uncertain food supply -- and you seem to make sure there is no uncertainty for your charges. ; ))
RE: Feral Advice Needed - admin - 11-16-2020
I hope that when I die I get to be reincarnated in Gina's little forest...
RE: Feral Advice Needed - Smudge's Mom - 11-21-2020
(11-15-2020, 09:25 PM)JanH Wrote: Cats tend to eat what they need - including for the weather at the time. (Their fur is probably much more important than their fat layer. Extra fat in the winter is usually to make up for uncertain food supply -- and you seem to make sure there is no uncertainty for your charges. ; ))
Their fur looks thick and cozy. I will stop obsessing about food...thanks, JanH.
(11-16-2020, 01:10 AM)admin Wrote: I hope that when I die I get to be reincarnated in Gina's little forest...
Aw, thank you
