what to feed a thin cat?

[cat biscuit]

hello,

i have just taken in a stray cat, he has been to the vets and been de wormed and de-flead. he is eating 2-3 large tines of whiskers a day and has loose stools. He's friendly although very timid at the mo. he is putting on a little weight.
I wondered if anyone could advise on what to feed him to best build him up - and help with his loose stools.

[hocky]

I don't know about cats but dogs will have loose stools if you change their diet suddenly - sounds like your poor moggy is having a sudden change for sure!

Also maybe you're feeding him too much. 2-3 large tins sounds like an awful lot for a cat.

[CheekyChops]

He is definately eating too much!

My cat is a big one (big cat generally, not fat!) and he eats 1 tin per day at most with dry food out all day for him to graze on.

It may look as though he needs feeding up so needs 2-3 tins of food but when he starts putting weight on and you try and cut him down to less, he won't be happy! Cut it down now, as long as he is eating healthily and being loved and looked after, he will put weight on.

I agree with the loose stools, a change in diet will cause this and it should settle down once his tuimmy gets used to Wiskas instead of whatever cr*p he was eating before.

[ruthann58]

vet told me many years ago to mix in some wholemeal bread with the meat this adds a bit of fibre to the diet it worked for ours and since then we have always mixed in bread with their meat ,mash it up with a little drop of warm water it will mix up easier with the meat

[tashare]

I have just done the same as you. My vet recommended Hills dry food which he feeds to his own cats. It is great after 4 weeks my stray has put on 11/2 kilos he looks great as well. He is all black his coat is soft and shiny. His eyes are bright and he now talks to me every time he comes in. He loves the food, i will soon have to start rationing him to just once or twice a day. It has been on tap up to now. Just make sure he drinks plently of water. Have you tried the new bubble water fountain. You have a big bubble which water is recycles over into a dish and a food dish attached which comes off if not needed. They are being sold on ebay for about �24 with spare filters and mat. A good investment plenty of fresh clean water which with 6 cats using i only need to refill every 3 days.

[mammie]

give him dry food and water and try to get him eating a bit less of the tin stuff good luck