my Maine Coon type cat eats only at night. We always leave a bowlful of food out for him at all times, and it is empty every morning, when we then refill it. Also, I'm wondering at the amount he eats; I always thought that cats can be trusted to eat their fill and no more, even if more is still there, and this has always been so with our other cats. But we leave him out a bowl of food piled pretty high every day, and he eats every morsel. Are MC's big eaters, or do they, unlike most cats, not know when to stop?

-- Anonymous, December 01, 1998

Answers

If your cat is under four years old you should let it eat as much as he want. They need it when they still are growing. Otherwise as long he seems healthy it's ok. Mc is bigeaters and the most cats stop when they are full. Call the vet if you see some other behaivor differences.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 1998

Our two cats (white types - with orange/brown F. and large grey,bit of stripe M.) also eat a lot. The mare is large and seems to keep his shape - he's very active and is mostly outdoors. Female is too much and in her older state (11 yrs) seems a bit overweight. Something of interest --- when I'm preparing a salad she 'begs' for the cucumber. She can finish up to a 2" length of an english cucumber. Not a daily diet but is there immediately when the salad fixings come out.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2000

Our two cats (white types - F orange/brown - M large grey/bit of

stripe) also eat a lot. The male is large and seems to keep his

shape - he's very active and is mostly outdoors. Female eats too much

and in her older state (11 yrs) seems a bit overweight. Something of

interest --- when I'm preparing a salad she 'begs' for the cucumber.

She can finish up to a 2" length of an english cucumber. Not a daily

diet but is there immediately when the salad fixings come out.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2000