Practical Advice for Feeding Your Neutered Cat

The amount of food given daily should be carefully assessed and recommendations followed. On average, a 4kg cat consumes the equivalent of 200 kcal per day, which represents around 60g of kibble. However, every individual is different and some adjustments may be needed.

Also remember that if your cat is already overweight and you fed them of their current weight, you will unknowingly be overfeeding them and sustain the weight gain. It is therefore very important to calculate the ration based on their ideal weight. 

You should ask your vet to estimate the amount of food to be given to your cat to cover their new needs. This ration amount will be reviewed (and possibly corrected) according to changes in your cat’s weight and body condition. A monthly review is recommended. Every day, carefully measure the ration with a measuring cup, or better, weigh the kibbles on a kitchen scale to avoid any risk of error. Over the long term, a few extra grams of kibbles each day weigh heavily in the calorie balance.

*Amount based on the feeding guidelines for our VETERINARY HPM^® Neutered Range for Adult Cat. Please refer to our feeding recommendations available on our product pages or product packaging.

You can split the daily ration into several meals, as many cats like to graze. This also encourages physical activity and helps to stabilise their weight.

Do not confuse the need for contact or attention with a request for food. A cat who understands that they can get food everytime they rub against their owner's legs will quickly learn to take advantage of the situation…It is important that the whole family understands this too, so it can be a good idea to have only one person in charge of feeding.

Few owners regularly weigh their cat and may be unaware that their pet is gaining weight. Closely monitor the evolution of your cat's weight after neutering by weighing them at least twice a month. It is much easier to prevent further weight gain at an early stage.

Weigh yourself holding the cat in your arms, then alone, and calculate the difference. Remember to use the same sets of scales, that must sensitive enough to measure a variation of ± 100g. If necessary, please ask your vet if you can regularly weigh your cat at the clinic.

It is important to remember that what might look like a negligible gain at first glance could actually mean a lot. Indeed, an average cat putting on just 200g is the equivalent to a 70kg human gaining 3.5kg! Also, a cat that is 1.5kg overweight can mean that their bodyweight has increased by 40%! This would be the equivalent of a person with an ideal weight of 70kg reaching 100kg. It's all relative!

Thanks to their hunting instinct, most cats will be very receptive to the introduction of toys and games. You can even place a fraction of their daily ration in a slow-feeder toy, especially when you are away from home!

'Working' to eat will not only help with exercise, but also prevent boredom.

After neutering it is best to change your cat's diet to one adapted to their new needs. You can even make the transition a few days before the operation, to avoid stress during recovery. Diets for neutered cats have a lower energy content without sacrificing the overall volume given, so they don't feel hungry and start begging for food. 

A full range of products specially formulated with your cat's health in mind.