What is a good feeding schedule for my cat?
Feeding your cat does not have to be mysterious. By recognizing a few key concepts and attributes of cats we can create a very reasonable feeding plan for them. The most common recommendation is to feed your cat at least two meals per day and there are a few reasons for this.
Cats are creatures of habit. We can use this fact to our advantage by creating a regular feeding schedule and sticking to it.
Feeding an adult cat at regular times provides the security and predictability of a routine. Meals become a cornerstone event of the day around which other activities are added. A feeding routine helps your cat cope when there are changes in the household (e.g., a child moves away to college, a new baby arrives, or a house-sitter visits while you are on vacation).
A feeding routine makes a necessary food change easier. When your cat is used to eating at the same times each day, their body becomes conditioned to expect food at those times. Hunger can be a great motivator! If the stage is set for increased hunger followed by meals at regular times, then transitioning to a new food will often be seamless and straightforward.
Cats have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans. Once their stomach is filled with food, it will empty within a few hours as food moves into the small intestine. After 8 to 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain that stimulate a hunger response. For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your cat.
"Some medical conditions require that cats eat at specific times during the day."
A break in eating habits can be a warning sign of illness. When cats eat on a regular schedule, that habit becomes strong. It is easy to see if all the food from a meal is consumed. If food is left, whether all or part of a meal, that is an important signal that something is wrong, and it is time to schedule a veterinary appointment.
Having a set meal schedule can be helpful if your cat develops a medical condition. Some medical conditions require that cats eat at specific times during the day (e.g., diabetes), or take medication with food. If your cat is already used to a set feeding schedule, this will be an easy adjustment.
How many meals should my cat eat each day?
It really depends on the individual cat as well as the family schedule. In an ideal world, at least two meals per day is best, based on the reasons described above. Some cats do better with even more meals and increasing that to three to four meals per day can help with cats that beg between meals or that only eat a small volume of food at one sitting. Some cats are less food motivated and do fine on one meal per day.
Should kittens eat all they want; 3 or 4 times per day?
Feeding a kitten all it can eat at one time is called ad libitum or “free choice” feeding. This type of feeding is not recommended, as it can create juvenile obesity, encourage binge eating, and lead to orthopedic problems and diabetes. Over-eating at any meal can also cause stomach discomfort and bloating, causing slower digestion.
Cats have a genetically determined "set point" for their adult size. Slower, controlled growth in kittens optimizes body condition in adulthood. However, feeding three to four meals a day can be helpful, as it breaks up the day’s food into smaller volumes for a kitten’s small belly.
My cat prefers to graze. What should I do?
Though some cats can regulate their food intake well, it is still recommended to create the expectation of mealtimes. Set mealtimes make it easier if another pet is added to your family at some point in the future.
If you have only one cat, and no plans for more, you can allow your cat to graze by measuring out the food portion each day and then recording anything left over at the end of the day. If you ever do need to transition your grazing cat to meal feeding, you can measure out the entire day's portion of food in the morning and offer the bowl several times throughout the day. Choose regular times to create a routine. The important thing is to use a measured portion for the day, either with a measuring cup or a kitchen scale.
Another consideration is the use of food toys. There are many options, from rolling food toys that drop out a kibble of food intermittently to stationary food toys that require the cat to work for the food. See the handout “Feeding the Mind and Body: Interactive Feeders for Dogs and Cats” for more information on these types of feeders. Food toys are almost as entertaining for the people in your family as they are for your cat!
Your veterinarian remains the best source of nutritional guidance for your cat, and they can answer important questions such as the type of food to feed, how much to feed, and how frequently to feed. Feeding time can be an important bonding time. Creating routine and regular feeding times builds fun into everyday activities.
