Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to how much cat food your cat needs. How much a cat needs to eat depends on a variety of factors, including size, age, metabolic rate, the amount it exercises, and even environmental temperatures. In addition, the same volume of different foods can have varying caloric and nutritional contents, showing that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. This does not mean, however, that owners are without any resources to help figure out how much to feed their cats.
For starters, use the feeding guide on the cat food label. It will look something like this for a dry food:
This gives you a ballpark idea of what your cat should be getting. But be aware that the ranges are pretty large to accommodate the needs of different individuals within a certain weight range. Also, take note that the amount listed is "per day," not "per meal." I recommend that my clients measure out the day’s complete ration and place it in a sealed container to reduce the chances of overfeeding. This way, everyone in the house should know to only take meals from this container rather than out of the bag.
Once you’ve used the back of the bag to come up with a starting point, assess your cat’s body condition to narrow in on what the correct amount should be. If your cat is already at her ideal weight, offer an amount that falls in the middle of the recommended range. If she’s a little thin, use the bigger numbers, and if she’s a little "portly," use the smaller ones.
Every two weeks or so, reassess your cat’s body condition and adjust how much food you offer accordingly. Once you have found the amount that maintains your cat’s ideal body condition (i.e., not too thin, not too fat), you can use monthly weigh-ins in addition to body condition scoring to make small adjustments to how much you are offering to keep her right where she needs to be.
Of course, what you feed is just as important as how much you feed. While you are looking at the label, make sure your cat’s current food is providing her with high-quality, natural ingredients and balanced nutrition. The MyBowl tool can help you determine whether your cat’s current food is providing optimal nutrition and can also be used to compare foods if you think they might benefit from a change. If your cat needs to gain or lose a lot of weight, talk to your veterinarian. He or she can rule out any health disorders that might be causing, or might have developed as a result of your pet’s weight, and can put together a plan that suits your cat’s particular needs.
You should also ensure that your cat is not only getting enough food, but that they are getting the sufficient nutrients from meat based foods. Cats require Taurine, an amino acid that is found only in animal based protein. And according to the ASPCA, milk should not be fed to cats because cat do not produce the enzyme that breaks down the lactose in milk and it can cause vomiting.
Pets are living longer thanks to better veterinary care and better nutrition, which means there is a good chance that when you are searching for that next companion, it may be a little older than you would expect.
Senior pets, or those defined around the ages of 5 to 7 years and older, unfortunately tend to make up a good population of animal shelters. They are often overlooked by potential adopters because it’s presumed that that given their age, older pets must have a significant health or behavioral problem. This is an unfortunate stigma, as senior pets have so much good they can offer you and your family, and making them part of your forever home will provide them with a second chance at receiving love in return!
While age is not considered a disease itself, it may bring with it multiple conditions that a potential adopter should be aware of prior to making such an important commitment. Senior pets have the perk of already being potty trained, socialized, and possibly have their temperament established. However, they are more likely to experience several health-related conditions, and the time you get to spend with them, may unfortunately be shorter than desired.
How Do You Prepare for a Senior Pet?
Congratulations on giving a senior pet a second chance. By providing a loving forever home for a senior pet, not only have you given it another lease on life, but you have opened your heart to receive so much love and affection in return. Acclimating your senior pet to its new life can be a bit challenging at times, but do not fear. By following a few simple recommendations outlined below, and making some preparations ahead of time, you can more easily make the adjustment.
Prior to giving a senior pet a second chance in a comfortable and loving home, be sure to discuss the following with the shelter staff:
What is the age (or best guess) of the dog/cat?
What led him/her to live at the shelter (owner abandonment/relinquishment, lost or stray, confiscation, etc.)?
Past medical history including any diagnostics and/or treatments performed
Current medical history including additional medical conditions determined
Current behavioral and/or temperament analysis (is it good with children, other dogs/cats, etc.?)
Is the dog/cat potty trained, crate trained, able to walk on a leash, etc.?
Does the dog/cat know any tricks, and if so, which kinds?
Are there any in-house low-cost testing options, coupons, or discounted medical care available to help with future costs?
What special diet is the dog/cat on? How much food is provided and at what times? What other options can be considered if the special diet is not available?
Senior pets are more likely to experience arthritis and a general decline in their senses such as vision and hearing, as well as a decrease in their cognitive abilities. So slight changes to the environment can make huge impacts on their physical and emotional well-being, including:
Bedding—decreases pressure on aging bones and joints. Orthopedic dog beds and cat beds make excellent additions.
Ramps, toe-grips, floor rugs—increase his ability to grip while reducing the likelihood of slipping and falling.
Harness Support—reduces the stress when lifting your dog up stairs, or in and out of cars, etc.
Supplements—such as Senilife® (brain health), Dasuquin® (joint care), or Denamarin® (liver health).
Environmental enrichment— such as food puzzles, as senior pets may not be able to be as active.
Consistency/daily routine and minimizing changing or adding furniture—facilitate easier movement and navigation around the home.
Senior Pet Food Diet
Additionally, as older pets tend to lose muscle and have slower metabolisms, senior diets are often recommended. These diets usually aim to help conserve protein and maintain a healthy body weight. Royal Canin® offers mobility support diets which are formulated with older pets in mind.
Senior food contains fats and antioxidants like vitamin E and carotenoids, which help slow neurologic damage and provide additional energy sources. Pets with certain medical conditions such as urinary stones or kidney disease may be prescribed a specific type of diet to help manage the condition.
As senior pets also experience a decline in their taste buds, enriching the flavor of the diet by warming it up or adding canned food may be helpful. The right kind of diet for your senior pet is a great topic to discuss at that first visit with your veterinarian.
Questions for your veterinarian, after they have reviewed the shelter records, should include:
What kind of diet should my pet be on, and how much of it?
Should he/she be receiving any supplements or medications? If so, what does the follow-up care and frequency of rechecks look like?
What kind and how much exercise should the pet be provided with each day?
Should any tests be performed today? (Tests such as bloodwork, urine, and stool testing, and even radiographs might be recommended to screen for hormonal disorders, ensure adequate kidney and liver function, or determine the extent of any arthritis.)
How often should he be brought in for routine check-ups and examinations? Most senior pets have a recommended blood panel that should be performed at least once a year, if not more frequently depending on type of medication they receive.
What To Expect Adopting a Senior Pet
There’s plenty to consider when adopting a senior pet including a host of great benefits. For many, their temperament and health conditions are already understood and it’s easy to know if they would get along with your other pet(s) or child.
They tend to require less training as they may have already been potty trained, crate trained, or even trained in other areas such as playing fetch. They may also come with a variety of tricks such as sit, stay, and roll over. You will also avoid puppy phases that are certainly challenging and time consuming, including multiple overnight trips outside to eliminate. Don’t forget that senior dogs can make great companions for people with a more sedentary lifestyle.
When considering adopting a senior pet, it is also prudent to understand that the time they spend with you may be less than desired. Additionally, most health-related conditions they may experience are manageable, meaning that there is no true cure, but there may be medications or supplements prescribed to manage the side effects, or treat the signs related to the disease.
In addition to greying in the coat or a stiffness when walking, senior pets often experience the following conditions:
Arthritis
Cancer
Cognitive dysfunction (similar to Alzheimer’s in people) and anxiety
Dental disease
Endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism and liver and kidney disease
Loss of vision, hearing, and taste
Lumps and bumps
Even if your pet doesn’t currently have any of the problems outlined above, regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help identify and manage those conditions as they arise, leading to a better quality of life over the long term.
Horses are important parts of society. While most people don’t own horses, these graceful creatures are part of a prominent industry with significant economic impacts. There are around 7.2 million horses in the U.S. alone. If you’re curious about how much of an impact they have on the world, you’ve come to the right place! We outline statistics and answer your questions about how many horses there are, where they’re located, and how they’re used.
You’re welcome to use our images, but we require you link directly to this site for credit (ex. Image from Pet Keen)
Horse Population Statistics
1.The U.S. horse population is estimated to be over 7.2 million horses.
(Data Paddock)
These numbers are from 2016 because they are based on periodic farm surveys, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture only conducts a census every 5 years. While there was one conducted in 2021, those results are not yet available. The American Horse Council Foundation estimates the current number to be closer to 9.2 million.
There are approximately 2 million horse owners and a total of 7.1 million Americans involved in the horse industry
Image Credit: Trevor G Johnson, Shutterstock
2.The wild horse population is estimated to be around 600,000.
(Spayvac)
It’s important to note that there is no global consensus on the exact number of wild horses. There are only published estimates, and they may not all be accurate. Some countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia publish annual data regarding their wild horse populations. Many European countries only publish data every few years, so the most recent numbers are estimated between 2015 and 2018.
While we can’t vouch for the current accuracy of the data, here is the breakdown, which gives a rough idea of the distribution of wild horses around the globe:
USA — approximately 90,000
Canada — approximately 2,000
Australia — approximately 400,000
Europe — approximately 4,000
Argentina — approximately 5,000
The rapidly growing wild horse population has a significant environmental impact on sensitive ecosystems. The U.S. and Australia have both developed programs aimed at population control — in some cases, resorting to culling the herds. Most government agencies agree that if possible, euthanasia should be avoided as a means of population control. Many wild horses have been removed from rangelands and relocated to farms, but the cost of these re-location efforts is extensive.
3.Texas has the highest horse population, with approximately 767,100 horses.
(American Horse Council)
California follows in second place with about 534,500 horses, and Florida comes in third with 387,100 horses. Fourth place is occupied by the state of Oklahoma, with 326,000 horses.
4.There are 90,000 wild horses in the U.S., living across 10 western states.
(U.S. Department of the Interior, Smithsonian Magazine)
The Bureau of Land Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior conducts annual population inventories to estimate the number of wild horses and burros. These animals roam across 53.8 million acres of public land, 42.4 acres of which are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. These areas are further divided into subsets called Herd Management Areas. The 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act ensures that these animals cannot be relocated to lands where they are not free-roaming.
The 10 Herd Management Areas are located in:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Montana-The Dakotas
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon-Washington
Utah
Wyoming
Wild horse populations also live on the Atlantic coast and small islands that include the Sable, Shackleford, and Assateague Islands.
The U.S. wild horse population continues to grow, increasing at a rate of 15-20% per year. This means the population will double every 4 to 5 years. It’s important to note that these population numbers don’t include new foals from 2021 which could total between 14,000 and 18,000.
Breed-Specific Statistics
5.There are approximately 350 recognized horse breeds.
(Equine Helper)
There are also 100 recognized pony breeds. That said, there are approximately 1,400 different horse breeds that aren’t recognized by national registries but are distinctly different from those that are.
Horse breeding isn’t regulated or monitored, with the exception of tracking bloodlines on registered individuals. At a local level, people cross bloodlines and breeds to develop new horses on a daily basis.
Here’s an example: The American Paint Horse is a recognized breed with a national registry. The Paint Horse was originally the product of cross-breeding a Thoroughbred and an American Quarter Horse.
Image Credit: Olga_i, Shutterstock
6.Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses are the most popular U.S. horse breeds.
(Horse Racing Sense)
Other popular breeds include the Arabian, Morgan, American Paint Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and Mustang.
There are 2.1 million Quarter Horses in the United States. The origins of the American Quarter Horse date back to the mid-1600s. This horse is well-known for its ability to sprint, easily outrunning other breeds in spans under a quarter-mile. Quarter Horses excel at sharp, intricate maneuvers because they are compact and muscular. This makes them a favorite in rodeos, barrel racing, and cattle work.
Thoroughbreds are well-known for their speed and agility on the racetrack. The U.S. Thoroughbred population totals approximately 1.1 million. The United States isn’t unique in its love of Thoroughbreds; they’re among of the most popular breeds in the world. While they’re well-known as racehorses, you can find Thoroughbred horses in many other riding events in both English and Western disciplines.
Worldwide Horse Population Statistics
7.The United Kingdom equestrian industry is responsible for over $11 billion a year in economic contributions.
(Equine Business Association)
The United Kingdom is home to serious equine expertise. These industry experts have raked in over $700 billion through equestrian sports coaching and training endeavors.
As the second-most-attended sport in the U.K., horse races draw in 7 million spectators a year and generate close to $5 billion.
There are 250,000 people employed within the horse industry and over 27 million people in Britain with interest in the market.
Image Credit: Pixabay
8.The United Kingdom is home to approximately 400,000 horses.
(Horsemart)
While the U.K. horse industry is massive, its horse population is only about 400,000. It does, however, have the highest exportation value in the world.
While the number of riders in the U.K. is increasing, the number of horse owners is declining. The upturn in riders is great news for equestrian businesses because they can continue to support a sizable market. This is also great news for other equestrian-related businesses, as sales for tack and feed are also increasing.
9.Romania has the highest horse population in the European Union, with a population of around 447,000.
(Statista, Four Paws)
Approximately 3% of the Romanian population live under extremely poor conditions and still use horses and donkeys for transportation and agricultural purposes. These animals often live under harsh conditions and endure long working hours.
Unfortunately, since these horses are dependent on people living in poverty, their health and welfare also suffer. They often lack adequate veterinary care and nutrition and suffer from ailments because their keepers don’t have the resources to fully provide for their needs.
Several rescue organizations have started campaigns to help provide care for Romanian horses. These campaigns aim not to remove these horses from their homes but to help their owners provide for their health and welfare while allowing the horses to stay and maintain their lifestyle.
10.The island of Grenada is home to approximately 30 horses.
(Horsemart)
This works out to one horse for every 3,577 people. This is surprisingly few, given the popularity of horse racing in other Caribbean countries. The sport is a major money-maker with a huge following in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Martinique.
Several large breeding farms are located in Jamaica, but most racehorses are bloodstock imported from the United States.
Horse racing used to be big business in Grenada too, although its boom was in the 1960s. The decline in the industry isn’t unique; it has followed the same trend as many other big businesses on the island. The few horses that remain are part of the tourism industry, offering island tours on horseback.
Image Credit: critterbiz, Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions About Horses
How many different types of horses are there?
All horse breeds are classified into four main groups: Light Horses, Heavy Horses, Ponies, and Feral Horses.
Light Horses — These include any horse that weighs between 1,000 and 1,300 pounds on average. Examples of light horses include Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walkers, Thoroughbreds, and Morgans.
Heavy Horses (also called draft horses) — These are workhorses that weigh in around 2,000 pounds. Examples include Clydesdales, Belgians, Shires, and Percherons.
Ponies — Any horse that is 14.2 hands or under (less than 58 inches) is classified as a pony. This doesn’t necessarily mean miniature horses, though, as these are an entirely separate class of pony. Examples include Welsh Ponies, Icelandic Ponies, and Dartmoors.
Feral Horses — As the name implies, feral horses are those that are wild. Examples include Mustangs and Brumbies.
What are interesting facts about horses?
Horses are fascinating creatures. Here are a few facts about horses that aren’t commonly known by those outside the industry.
Horses can’t breathe through their mouths; they are obligate nose breathers.
They have lightning-fast reflexes. A horse can go from standing still to delivering a kick in 0.3 seconds.
Horses have 10 muscles in their ears.
Horses only see with one eye at a time because they have unifocal vision. This means they are only able to see one side of their body at a time, which is why you must show horses new things on both sides.
They have a fixed pelvis, so they are physically incapable of doing the splits.
(BC SPCA)
Image Credit: Antranias, Pixabay
How fast can a horse run?
The average domestic horse is capable of galloping at a speed of about 30 mph (48 km/h), but there are a few horses who have been clocked at over 40 mph (64 km/h). 44 mph (70.8 km/h) is the fastest horse speed recognized by Guinness World Records.
(LiveScience)
What do horses eat?
Horses are herbivores, meaning their diet consists mainly of tough grasses. The large, flat teeth at the fronts of their mouths are designed to grab and rip grass out of the ground. They have relatively small stomachs in comparison to their body size and must eat small, frequent meals.
A healthy horse should consume between 1% to 2% of its body weight in grass or hay each day. This means that the average domestic horse consumes approximately 20 pounds of forage a day.
(LiveScience)
Image Credit: Katiekk, Shutterstock
Do horses sleep standing up?
Yes, they do, but not all the time. Horses can sleep standing up by locking the stifle joint (the equivalent of the human knee) on one of their hind legs to hold them upright. They will occasionally alternate which leg is locked to prevent strain. As prey animals, horses need to be able to respond quickly in the presence of a predator, and sleeping upright allows them to do this.
That said, when they need deep sleep, horses still have to lie down, and they will do so periodically throughout the day and night. Horses generally sleep in short bouts over a 24-hour period rather than sleeping for a single long period as humans do.
(LiveScience)
How big are horses?
The typical height range of horses is between 2 feet, 6 inches (76 centimeters), and 5 feet, 9 inches (175 centimeters), tall. They weigh between 120 pounds (54 kilograms) and 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). That said, it’s not unusual for horses to be over or under this range. Since hundreds of different horse breeds have been developed through selective breeding, there is a wide range of sizes, from miniatures to large draft breeds.
The tallest horse currently alive is a Belgian named Big Jake. He tops out at 82.8 inches, which is nearly 7 feet tall (210 centimeters). The tallest horse ever recorded was a Shire named Sampson. His height was recorded in 1850 as 7 feet, 2 inches tall (86.2 inches or 219 centimeters).
On the flip side, the shortest horse ever recorded was a miniature named Thumbelina. She measured at a mere 17.5 inches (44.5 centimeters) tall shortly before her death in 2018.
(Guinness Book of World Records, LiveScience)
Conclusion
The population of both domestic and wild horses doesn’t appear to be declining anytime soon. The horse industry is huge in the U.S., the U.K., and many other countries. Hopefully, we’ve helped to shed light on horses worldwide. These creatures have played an essential role in human lives for thousands of years, so hopefully, we can appreciate them for many more years to come.
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