- Born
- Around Feb–Mar 2023
- Recorded weight
- 4.75–4.9 kg
- Neutered
- Yes
- Lifestyle
- Indoor only
Camus Lab / 养猫档案
These notes document feeding and care in my life with Camus, alongside relevant veterinary guidance and research. In the future, I plan to share design explorations here, including pet toys.
These feeding and care experiences describe Camus’s individual circumstances and are not a feeding plan or medical advice for other cats.
Camus’s feeding record
Since late 2024, this has been Camus’s feeding routine. Amounts below are daily totals, not portions for a single meal.
01
Wet food
One of the following wet-food servings per day
- ZEAL
- King Salmon canned food, 1 can (85 g)
- KERES / 凯锐思
- Cat food pouch (older packaging), 1 pouch
02
Dry food
25–30 g in total per day
- ROSY FRESH / 鲜朗
- Rotating poultry, fish and rabbit recipes
Care notes & references
Care notes and references
01
Food amounts and nutrition
Evidence note
Feeding amounts depend on the food’s calorie information and the combined energy from dry food, wet food and treats, considered alongside age, neuter status, activity, weight changes and body condition.
A can or pouch describes the food’s packaging, not whether it provides complete nutrition. Servings of different products may also differ in calories and nutrients.
02
Transition and storage
Evidence note
Changing food: AAHA / AAFP guidance describes a gradual transition over about 7–10 days, using clinical judgement. This is a reference schedule; the pace should reflect the cat’s response and veterinary advice.
Storage: the FDA advises retaining original packaging and lot information, storing dry food in a cool, dry place, and promptly refrigerating or discarding unused or leftover wet food. Also follow the product’s storage instructions.
03
Hydration
Camus’s record
I use a regular water bowl for Camus.
Evidence note
Cats need ready access to fresh, clean water. Total water intake includes both water drunk from a bowl and moisture in food.
A crossover study in six healthy adult cats added different amounts of water to the same dry food. The highest-moisture diet increased total water intake and urine volume, and reduced urine specific gravity.
Study limitations
This small study measured water intake and urinary parameters. It does not establish the effects of a particular wet-food product or prove that it prevents disease.
04
Weight and observation
Evidence note
Body weight is the number on the scale. Body condition score (BCS) assesses body fat, while muscle condition score (MCS) assesses muscle loss. These need separate assessment; weight alone does not establish whether a cat is in ideal condition.
Noting changes in appetite, stools, activity and weight can provide useful information at a veterinary visit. Body and muscle condition assessments also require looking and feeling, so a photograph alone is insufficient.
05
Litter boxes
Camus’s record
After consulting the MSD Veterinary Manual, I placed two litter boxes in separate locations at home for Camus.
Evidence note
AAFP / ISFM guidelines recommend two litter boxes in separate locations for a single-cat household. In multi-cat homes, one more box than the number of cats is a starting point, with social relationships and actual use also considered.
Size, cleanliness and individual preferences matter alongside the number of boxes. Locations should be quiet, easy to reach and separate from food and water.
06
Indoor environment and play
Camus’s record
At home, Camus has elevated resting places, hiding spaces and scratching surfaces.
Evidence note
AAFP / ISFM guidelines emphasise safe resting and hiding places, separated resources such as feeding and toileting areas, opportunities for play and predatory behaviour, friendly and predictable human–cat interaction, and respect for familiar scents. Cats should be able to approach or leave an interaction.
Food puzzles let cats obtain food by pawing, pushing or similar actions. They can offer another activity; begin with food that is easy to access and watch whether the cat chooses to engage.
Study limitations
The cited review includes clinical cases with multiple interventions, so improvements cannot all be attributed to the puzzles, nor can the same response be expected in every cat.
Source index
References
Sources last checked:
Numbers match the citations above. Select a title to read the original source.
- 01 Proper Nutrition for Cats · Open original source in a new tab MSD Veterinary Manual Pet owner manual · 2025
- 02 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats · Open original source in a new tab AAHA Veterinary guideline · 2021
- 03 Feline Life Stage Guidelines: Nutrition and Weight Management · Open original source in a new tab AAHA / AAFP Veterinary guideline · 2021
- 04 Proper Storage of Pet Food & Treats · Open original source in a new tab U.S. Food and Drug Administration Government safety guide
- 05 Effect of dietary water intake on urinary output, specific gravity and relative supersaturation for calcium oxalate and struvite in the cat · Open original source in a new tab British Journal of Nutrition Experimental study · 2011
- 06 Cat Body Condition Score Chart · Open original source in a new tab WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee Assessment tool · 2017
- 07 Providing a Litter Box for a Cat · Open original source in a new tab MSD Veterinary Manual Pet owner manual · 2025
- 08 AAFP and ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats · Open original source in a new tab AAFP / ISFM Veterinary guideline · 2014 · amended 2018
- 09 AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines · Open original source in a new tab AAFP / ISFM Veterinary guideline · 2013
- 10 Food puzzles for cats: Feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing · Open original source in a new tab Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Peer-reviewed review · 2016
- 11 When to See a Veterinarian · Open original source in a new tab MSD Veterinary Manual Pet owner manual