Is it ok to feed an average cat light food?

[Leanne]

Ducha is gorgeous,

I give Jess Hills light biscuits, because his an indoor kitty he doens't get as much exercise (not that you would think it when his running up and down the stairs) and I don't want him to get over weight.

[Team Svartalfheims]

Awww Ducha is gorgeous 

[Bazsmum]

I also never knew Ducha was 3 legged.....she hides it well 

[Gwen]

How adorable is Ducha?

Have taken a pic of Turbo for you all to see,sorry it was nightime by the time I got over there last night,will try and get another one at some point.  My friend is wondering is you know what breeds of cat she might have in her?  She is incredibly small,kitten like but shes 10,anybody know?

Heres the pretty girl

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v518/welshigirl/?action=view&current=turbo1.jpg

btw its her back left leg that shes lost Lynn

[Angiew]

Ducha lookin' good!

[CurlyCatz]

Is it a front or hind leg that is missing ?  They can be more disabled with a missing front leg although will also normally do very well.  The front legs carry around 60% of the body weight.

As others have said if its just a "light" version of food it probably wont do either of them much harm, she'd need to monitor the weight of the 4 legged one though and perhaps offer him some extras.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Hers is the little punk, Ducha 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Desley (booktigger)]

Being 3 legged certainly doesn't stop them exercising, Pebbles could still run as fast on 3 legs as 4, and I regularly gave up catching her, she outran me!! Your friend could feed them on senior food as they are according to pet food makers, and it is important to keep 3 legged cats weight normal, or it can cause issues for them. I have had overweight, underweight and normal cats all at the same time, and they all got their normal food (overweight getting senior food), and when the overweight cats were out of the way, the underweight ones got more food, it can be tricky but it is possible. She could of course reduce Turbo's food intake and/or played more with her, and keep them on the same food, as there are no guarantees they will like light or senior food.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Yes Lottie he has and he is superfast across the ground and up stairs.  He gives me blood pressure sometimes cos I have seen him clawing his way over the fence cos he cant jump too high and when he comes back he sorta jumps off and lands in a belly flop onto ground cos its a back leg he is missing.

Makes me terrified and no wonder he lost it but he cant afford to hurt the other one.

His fur is very long so in a picture one doesnt really see it missing but I feel sorry for him cos he would love to be a lap cat but cant get comfortable at all.

He makes up by being a bed cat everynight 

[Gwen]

3 legged cats rock,you wanna see Turbo move,I tell ya she gives my two a run for their money

I've never seen a pic of Ducha:(

I'll try and get a picture of Turbo tomorrow so you can see her

[Team Svartalfheims]

I am lucky cos Ducha my 3 legged punk

Ducha only has 3 legs??!! Well I'd never noticed that in photos you've posted lol! Obviously I'm not very observent lol.

[Team Svartalfheims]

I wouldn't have thought it would do any harm and if one starts to look a bit thin you can always give the 4 legged one a bit of 'normal' food away from the 3 legged cat if needed.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

One of problems with 3 legged cats is that if they get too heavy, it puts too much strain on the remaining leg. So its pretty esseential to keep them at optimum weight.

I am lucky cos Ducha my 3 legged punk is a featherweight!!

I would think thats its best to feed the two seperately if possible so they can both have the food thats best for them.

I dont know if the answer maybe to try feeding them both a senior food cos I believe that may help with the weight issue.

Desley is really the expert on this, maybe she will reply later.

[Millys Mum]

It wouldnt hurt George but he would need to eat more of it which with some of the light diets he may struggle with as they are extra bulky.
It may be better to feed Turbo less and exercise abit more.

I dont free feed because of overeating, if they have wet food i would feed more of that as it has less calories per gram compared to dry.

[Bazsmum]

Being 3 legged should'nt hinder her ability to exercise so i dont see why she should go on a diet unless instructed by a vet....some cats put weight on normally during different times of the year so it may be just a case of lazing about in the sun!

I personally would keep feeding her the same as you may have greater problems changing food etc....

Good luck 

[Gwen]

A friend of mine has 2 cats and one of them is a 3 legged cat but shes 10 now and is starting to suffer from "middle aged spread",no doubt I'm in for a clawing later

Now my friends other cat is 13 George) and is a normal weight but she was wondering if she baught Turbo some "light" food would it be ok for both of them to have it or is it better to keep George on the normal diet he's always had?

Thanks guys in advance,I have told my friend I'd post on here as you are all very informative and know your puddy cat knowlage very well