How Much and How Often Should You Feed Your Cat?

Cats love to eat and they can be quite convincing when they want to be. Between the cute little meows and big, adorable eyes, it is hard not to give in when your furry friend expertly requests more food, even if they shouldn’t have anymore.

As a pet parent, though, that furry little face can quickly convince us to give up just a little more food, or just one more treat. However, while it is our responsibility as pet parents to keep our cat fed and happy, it is also our responsibility to keep them healthy. Therefore, it is vital to know how often you should feed a cat (regardless of what they tell you). So, here is a mini-guide to explain how often you should feed a cat, depending on their breed, age, and current circumstance.

Breed

Cats come in many shapes and sizes. Depending on the breed of the cat will dictate how often you should feed your cat. After all, if they are a big cat, like a Persian Cat or a Norwegian Forest Cat, they are going to need food more often than an Abyssinian Cat or a Burmese Cat.

However, it makes sense that the cat’s size depends on its food consumption. Even though cats, as a species, can eat between one and ten times per day if they are left on a free-feeding schedule. However, this is not recommended, as it can lead to obesity, which is the most common weight-related issue for cats.

Age

Cats, just like humans, tend to change their eating habits as they age. A kitten, for instance, might eat themselves sick because they don’t understand that it is bad for them. This could also lead to juvenile diabetes which is irreversible (but manageable).

Although, it is important to note that kittens require a higher caloric intake than adult cats. Of course, this is because they are growing and that growth takes more energy to occur. That doesn’t mean, though, that their little bodies should be allowed to inhale every bit of kibble they come in contact with. Rather, the earlier you get your cat on a feeding schedule, the better.

Adult cats should be fed at the same time every day, between two and five times per day. Some cats prefer to be fed in the morning and at night, while others want small meals for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, and before bed.

The Sprue Pets offers a good breakdown of caloric intake for your cat’s weight, size, and age.

Senior cats, or cats that are 7-10 years or older, do not eat nearly the same amount of food as a kitten or adult cat. However, they still need the same amount of essential nutrients as an adult cat. So, it is important that the food they do consume is packed with those essential nutrients.

Please Note: If you have a cat that is younger than seven years old and has reduced their intake, you should consult a veterinarian, as this could be a symptom of a serious health issue.

Current Circumstance

Different circumstances call for being fed more or less often. For instance, if your cat has an illness or dietary restriction, the number of times you should feed your cat might be strictly regulated and unlike any other feeding schedule available.

If your cat is pregnant or nursing, though, this is a completely normal, natural circumstance that can majorly affect how often you should feed your cat. Cats that are pregnant or nursing need a much higher daily caloric intake, than even kittens. After all, it takes a lot of energy to produce and feed healthy baby kittens, so your cat is going to be super hungry.

Of course, you don’t want your cat to go completely overboard and get heavy, risking Type 2 Diabetes. So, keep a close eye on exactly what your cat is eating, how much, and ensure that she is getting enough essential nutrients to support her and her little ones. We have found these high-quality diabetic cat foods if your cat needs them.

Meal Feeding

There are a few different feeding schedules that cat parents adhere to. This likely has a lot to do with work schedules and personal daily commitments.

Yet, there is also a school of thought that cats can eat whenever they want. Do some cats have better control than others? Can some cats graze? Sure. However, over the years, habits change and so having a grazing cat might not always be the healthiest option for your furry friend.

Rather, Meal Feeding is a much better option. Meal Feeding is when you feed your cat at certain times of the day. These times can be anywhere from two to five times per day. (Your cat should not go more than twelve hours without access to food.) The secret is that this schedule doesn’t change.

Thus, Meal Feeding is better for both monitor consumption and to make sure your cat is actually eating. If food is left for whenever the cat gets hungry, it is hard to know if they ate or not. So, when your cat is used to Meal Feeding, you can always tell exactly what your cat ate and when they ate it. (That way, if they do have any tummy troubles you can easily narrow down the timeframe.)

The trouble with Meal Feeding mostly has to do with your schedule. Often, people get cats with the expectation that they are grazers and they don’t need to live by a schedule as dog owners do. While it is more often that cats can control their intake better than dogs, grazing is not an ideal feeding structure for any cat.

Additionally, cat parents are hesitant because they worry their cat is going hungry. This is where having a great vet comes in handy. If you follow the directions your veterinarian sets forth, your cat will not be hungry.

If you feel like your cat needs a little food between feeding times, give your cat some treats. This will satisfy your cat’s food craving and it will make you feel good for being able to deliver. Just, don’t make this into a habit. You can’t give in every time your cat tries to tell you that they are hungry when you know they are on a good feeding schedule.

Tips for Narrowing Down the Perfect Schedule

Cats, regardless of their breed, size, or age love to have a schedule, even if that schedule consists entirely of eating, sleeping, and doing their cat-box business. Cats love to have the structure to let them know when they should expect different portions of their day. Thus, while no cat is exactly the same, there are some overall tips to help you narrow down the purrfect eating schedule for you and your feline friend.

Create a Schedule and Stick to it

Regardless of how much you might wish otherwise, your cat does not speak your language. Therefore, the only hints cats have are your routine, your actions, and your tone. They rely on these things to tell them what to expect.

For instance, if you feed your cat in your bedroom but you do not have a schedule, then every time you enter your bedroom, your cat might think it is feeding time. This is not good for a schedule.

Keep Your Cat’s Diet Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to humans and pets alike. It is important to keep your cat’s diet consistent. If you need to change the brand or the type of food, you need to do so gradually. That way, your cat’s body has a chance to process this change and work with it.

If you don’t this can cause discomfort, loss of appetite, and digestion issues for your cat.

Find a Veterinarian You Can Trust

Pet parents need to find a cat doctor that they can trust, just like humans have doctors that they trust. That way, if your cat’s veterinarian tells you something about your cat’s diet or otherwise, you can trust you are doing the right thing for your cat by following their directions.

Cats Are Not Social Feeders

Cats are hunters and in the wild, they usually hunt alone. Therefore, when you feed your cat, chances are, they would like to be left alone to eat. This might seem strange, as humans (and dogs) are social feeders. That means that we like to have company when we eat but your cat more than likely does not.

In summation, feeding time is often a highlight of your cat’s day. Thus, it makes sense that you would want to make it as often and as delightful as possible. However, keeping your cat healthy is your main priority. You were given the responsibility to make their life the best it can possibly be and keeping them healthy is a big part of that. Giving them both the right food and the right amount of food plays a major factor in keeping your cat healthy at every stage of their life.