How much dry food = a meal?

[Red'sMomHeather]

I apologize if this information is on here somewhere.

I've been feeding Red 1/3 - 1/2 can purina dm, waiting 30 min and then giving insulin (caninsulin, 2 units). He weighs about 17 lbs. I'm currently "force feeding" with syringes as he's not eating enough on his own (yet).

I have his syringes ready for his meal, put him down, and he immediately went over to the bowl of dry ( medi-cal diabetic) and began eating. I would LOVE to not have to feed him (we both hate it...) but am worried about him not getting enough before I give him the insulin dose. I'm not sure how much of the dry would constitute a "meal" so that I can give him his injection. Should I go by calories?

Thank you.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

The feeding insgructions on the bag of dry are pretty good. The standard seems to be 1/2 cup a day. It really depends upon the the specific food and the desired cat's weight.

 

[Red'sMomHeather]

Okay thanks. I've had a hypo situation when he wasn't getting enough food so I'm just a little paranoid.

 

[BJM]

Does he scarf 'n' barf, or graze? If he seems to get too hungry between feedings, a timed feeder may help spread out the food consumption a bit so he is not quite so hungry towards the end of the shot cycle.

 

[Meya14]

An average-sized cat needs about 300 cal/day give or take depending on weight and activity level. Many foods will have the calories listed per cup somewhere on the packaging.