How Often Should You Feed Your Cat

Check the pet food aisle at your local supermarket, and you'll find a dozens of varieties of food to entice your cat. Feed your cat too little or the wrong kind of food, and he won't maintain good health. Feed him too much, and he'll get fat. But you can help get your cat off on the right paw by establishing regular feeding routines. Although the food you feed your cat should be complete and balanced, the simple answer to how often you should feed him is that there isn't a simple answer.

Age Makes a Difference

Kittens require more food per pound of body weight to support their growth than do adult cats, and therefore should be fed more often throughout the day. "Growing kittens up to six months of age may require three meals a day," says Francis Kallfelz, DVM, PHD, board certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and James Law professor of nutrition at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "From age six months to maturity, most cats will do well when fed two times a day."

Once the cat becomes an adult, at about one year, feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases. Senior cats, age seven and above, should maintain the same feeding regimen. "Once cats reach adulthood, once a day feeding is fine as long as they are healthy and have no disease problems suggesting a reason to feed differently," says Dr. Kallfelz.

The Health of Your Cat Matters

If your cat suffers from a health problem such as diabetes, you may need to feed him based on whenever he is administered insulin, depending on the type. "Talk to your veterinarian," says Dr. Kallfelz.

If your cat has hyperthyroidism, he may want to eat all the time. "Treat the disease," says Dr. Kallfelz. "If it is a treatable problem, treat it and then feed your cat normally."

When a cat ages, his teeth may go bad, or he may develop gum disease that may make it difficult to chew dry food. "If they get to that point, then offer them canned food or dry in a finer nugget size," says Dr. Kallfelz. You can also mash up the dry and mix it with water to make it easier to chew.

Taking Extra Steps 

Should pets be put on special diets? "If they are obese, then weight reduction diets are often required to get the weight off. Historically, higher fiber and low fat containing diets have been used," says Dr. Bartges. 

"Recently 'Catkins' diets have become available for use in cats and some cats appear to respond to this rather than the high fiber/low fat diets," says Dr. Bartges. "Atkins diets are basically high protein/low carbohydrate diets with moderate amounts of fat," he explains. "The idea is to stimulate the body to metabolize body fat for energy by restricting energy in the form of carbohydrates." (See May 2004 issue of CatWatch for related article.) 

"As cats are true carnivores, [Catkins] diets are more likely to work; [however], it is still important to limit energy intake to induce weight loss as animals can still become obese on this diet if they take more energy in than they use," he says. "Which will work best is hard to say, but if one dietary strategy fails, then it's worth trying the other."

A Best Type of Food?

Many cat owners feed only dry food to their felines. "Dry food is fine as long as it is complete and balanced," says Dr. Kallfelz. Dry food may be less expensive than canned cat food and may stay fresher longer. Cats that eat only dry food need to be provided with lots of fresh water, especially if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages. For all cats, constant availability of fresh, clean water is important.

Canned cat food is typically about 70 to 80 percent water, and can be fed in addition to or instead of dry. Some cats may find canned food more palatable. These cats may consume too much if they are allowed free access to food. Of course, this may occur with dry food as well. "Food with average palatability may be preferable," says Dr. Kallfelz. If it is extremely palatable, the cat may be more likely to overeat. If it is not quite so palatable, he may be less likely to overeat.

Super-sizing food portions is not just a problem for people. Since the feeding instructions on pet food labels are based on the needs of the average cat, you may be feeding more than necessary if your cat's needs are lower than average. If you feed your cat dry food, you may provide it to him at specific mealtimes in measured quantities. Dry food can also be supplemented with a small amount of canned food to make meals more appealing.

"There's no problem mixing the two types of food," says Dr. Kallfelz. "Just make sure the calories are what your cat needs and not more."

Free feeding dry food is acceptable for the cat who exercises self-control, but some cats like to snack, and for them, free feeding can add up to extra pounds. "If a cat can maintain his weight, free choice feeding is okay," says Dr. Kallfelz. Even dry food left out for your cat to free feed needs to be fresh, so be sure to provide new food each day. If free feeding doesn't work, you need to control how much they eat. "Several small meals may make them feel less hungry," says Dr. Kallfelz. "But one is okay nutritionally."

And here's a useful hint: If you have a finicky cat, switching foods occasionally may help keep from him becoming hooked on only one diet.

Consider Your Schedule

How often you feed your cat may depend on your schedule as well. Mornings may be hectic as you get the kids off to school and yourself off to work. Under those circumstances, feeding your cat may be easier in the evening when it's quieter and less busy. If you are running around a lot in the evening, feed your cat in the morning before everyone else is up. Find a schedule that works for you and your cat - and then keep it consistent.

In a multicat household, not all cats automatically come when called for dinner, potentially making it difficult for some to get food unless it is left out all the time. And other cats may eat too much when food is always available. "You just need to come up with a plan," says Dr. Kallfelz. You can feed them separately or in different parts of the house.

The Best Cat Feeding Schedule for Your Healthy Cat and You

When to Feed Your Cat

The best cat feeding schedule should meet both yours and your cat's preference. It's OK to choose either "set mealtimes" each day for your cat or to leave your cat's (dry) food out all day to allow her to graze.

"Set-Mealtime" Cats

If you choose to have set mealtimes for your cat feeding schedule, your adult cat should have two cat food meals per day, morning and evening.

Canned cat food seems to be more practical for "mealtime cats" than for grazers. You can also leave out some dry cat food for your cat to snack on during the day, but be careful if your cat tends to overeat.

Kittens under six months old should be fed three to five small kitten food meals throughout the day, or follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

"Grazer" Cats

Dry cat food seems to work best for grazers (i.e., cats who like to eat throughout the day). This is obviously a more flexible cat feeding schedule for you and your cat.

Be sure to give your cat fresh dry food every day. Don't just add more food to the food that's left over from the day before.

It's also tempting to clean the food bowl a bit less often when you use dry food (or is that only me?), but do your cat a favor and wash her food bowl frequently with hot water and soap. This will help keep your cat's food fresh and avoid ants or other pests.

If your grazing cat starts to put on undesired weight, try to gradually switch his cat feeding schedule to a set mealtime schedule, or if that doesn't work for you and your schedule, you can switch to a lighter cat food or one specifically for less active cats.

You can also make a point of measuring out the dry food you give your cat on a daily basis, and make sure not to give her too much.

Consult your veterinarian about the right quantity of food for your cat, especially if your cat has special needs. You can also calculate the amount of food your healthy cat needs by following label guidelines.

Please note that some sources disagree about whether leaving dry food out for your cat to graze on is a good idea. They believe the two-meal-a-day routine is more natural for your cat, as this is closer to the way cats in the wild live. They say that having only two meals a day allows your cat to fully digest her food then her blood supply is free to concentrate on other organs.

If you have any concerns, consult with your veterinarian about what's best for your particular cat.

Fresh Water

You should always have clean, fresh water available for your cat. Be sure to change your cat's water at least once per day.

You could also use a pet fountain for your kitty if he or she prefers to drink running water.

Feeding Your Adult Cat

Adult cats should eat enough of a high-quality, nutritious food to meet their energy needs and to maintain and repair body tissues. The amount you feed your adult cat should be based on his or her size and energy output. Activity levels vary dramatically between pets and will play an important role in determining caloric intake, which leads us to our first tip…

Crazy Cats, Lazy Cats Cats vary widely in their activity levels. A cat with a "normal" activity level should receive what we call "maintenance" energy. A pampered cat who mostly lies around the house may require ten percent below maintenance, while an active kitty who plays all day may require maintenance plus 20 to 40 percent. 

In Addition to Playing in the Sink… 

Unless advised otherwise by your vet, your cat should always have free access to fresh, clean water. Water bowls should be cleaned every day. 

Cats Are Carnivores 

All cats require taurine, an amino acid that is important for normal heart function, vision and reproduction. Although most mammals can make taurine from other amino acids in the body, cats cannot. Since taurine is found only in animal-based protein, all cats need meat-based diets to meet their nutritional requirements. 

Cool for Cats 

As with people, extreme hot or cold weather can increase a kitty’s energy needs. Both keeping warm and keeping cool use up extra energy, so you may wish to consult with your pet’s vet about what to do when the mercury soars and/or dips. 

Get Well Sooner 

A cat recovering from surgery or suffering from a disease may have increased nutritional requirements to repair, heal and fight infection. Talk to your vet about adjusting your cat’s diet during periods of illness and recovery. 

It’s Hard Work, Looking This Good! 

While on the show circuit, a cat’s energy requirement may increase by 20 percent or more! Make sure your pretty kitty is getting the correct amount of food energy, because deficiencies may be quickly reflected in coat quality. When on a break from the show circuit, go back to feeding your cat her regular maintenance diet. 

Two Square Meals a Day 

Pet owners should consult with their veterinarians to determine the best feeding schedule and types of foods for their pets. However, as a general rule of thumb, we recommend that all cats be fed twice daily using the portion control feeding method (see #8). To do this, start by dividing the amount suggested on the label of your pet’s food into two meals, spaced eight to twelve hours apart. You may need to adjust portions as you learn your cat’s ideal daily “maintenance” amount. 

But then again, Variety IS the Spice of Life … 

Some people have schedules that can’t accommodate normal two-meal-a-day feeding regimens. Not to worry--cats may be fed successfully in a number of ways to meet both the owner's and the animal's needs and circumstances. The different types of feeding methods are as follows:

- Portion-control feeding entails measuring your pet's food and offering it as a meal, thereby controlling the amount of food that can be consumed. This method is used for weight control programs and for animals who might overeat if fed free-choice. Food can be provided in one or more meals daily. 

- Free-choice feeding is also known as "ad lib" feeding or "free feeding." Food is available at all times, as much as the pet wants, whenever the pet wants. Most nursing pets are fed via free choice. This method is most appropriate when feeding dry food, which will not spoil if left out. However, some cats will overeat when fed free-choice, which can result in obesity. 

- The timed feeding method involves making a portion of food available for the pet to eat for a specified period of time. For example, you would place food in your cat’s bowl and allow your pet to nosh for 30 minutes. After that time, whatever food the cat has not eaten is removed. 

Milk Does a Body…Bad? 

Turns out that you can’t believe everything you see on television! Milk should not be fed to cats as a treat or a substitute for water. Cats do not possess significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk. Feeding milk and milk-based products to cats can actually cause them to vomit or have diarrhea. 

Take Five (or Less)! 

We all love to give our pets treats. However, treats should be given in moderation and should represent five percent or less of a cat’s daily food intake. The rest should come from a nutritionally complete cat food.

Feeding Your Adult Cat: What You Need to Know

Whether you’re pinching pennies or can afford to pay top dollar, when it comes to nutrition, you no doubt want to do right by your cat. But you don’t have to spend lots of money or frequent boutique shops to feed your adult cat well.

How can I select a high-quality food for my adult cat?

Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD is a nutritional consultant and assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis in California. Although manufacturer reputation is one reliable indicator of the quality of adult cat food, she says the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides some added assurance of sound nutrition. You can check for the AAFCO statement on your cat’s food label.

AAFCO uses two methods to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of adult cat foods: formulation and feeding test.

The formulation method involves doing a nutritional analysis of ingredients and comparing it with AAFCO nutrient profiles for a cat’s particular life stage. “That diet doesn’t have to be fed to any live animal before it’s sold,” Larsen says.

The feeding test method evaluates the digestibility and absorption of nutrients in live animals. “I strongly prefer foods that have been through AAFCO feeding tests,” Larsen says.

Although adult cat foods may contain a wide range of ingredients, Larsen says your focus should be on nutrients.

Mindy Bough, CVT, senior director of client services for the Midwest Office of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), agrees. “The presence of one or two ingredients may make the food appear healthy, but it’s the balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that make a healthy cat food," Bough says.

When evaluating percentages of nutrients, keep in mind that these are measured on a “dry matter basis.” For this reason, a dry cat food may appear to have more protein than a wet food, for instance, but only because it contains less water.

Canned vs. dry cat food: Which one is better?

The experts haven't reached complete consensus. But most agree on some of the pros and cons of dry and wet adult cat food.

Dry adult cat food:

• Is more economical
• Is convenient because you can leave it out and it doesn’t spoil as easily
• Is energy dense, meaning a cat can consume lots of calories quickly
• Has about 10% moisture content
• Tends to have more carbohydrates and less protein than wet food
• May be only slightly better than canned food at preventing dental disease

Canned adult cat food:

• Is more expensive
• Can spoil more easily and requires refrigeration after opening
• Is less energy dense than dry food
• Has up to 78% moisture content
• Tends to have more fat and protein - especially animal protein - and fewer carbohydrates than dry food

“There are a lot of people who believe that cats only need to eat canned food and will be unhealthy if they eat dry food,” says Larsen, noting that most cats can do fine on either.

The bottom line? “More research is needed to determine whether wet food is better,” Bough says.

But the high moisture content in wet food can be beneficial to cats with urinary tract problems, diabetes, or kidney disease. It can help compensate for cats’ low thirst drive, which may be partly due to their evolution as desert animals. More study is needed to confirm whether feeding wet food can help prevent some of these problems from developing in the first place.

Higher protein levels more often found in wet food may be of benefit to strict carnivores like cats, who depend on consuming animals to meet their nutritional needs and require up to three times the protein of omnivores.

“But you can have a high-protein diet that’s still deficient in essential amino acids,” says Larsen, citing taurine as an example. “And the same is true for fats and essential fatty acids. So you need to make sure the subparts are covered.”

When and how much food should I feed my adult cat?

Mimicking a trend of many of their owners, one in five cats in industrialized countries today is obese.

Many factors seem to contribute to this widespread problem, including inactivity, overfeeding rich foods, and neutering (castrated cats are up to four times more likely to be obese).

But you can take steps to help manage weight problems, including playing with your cat and controlling food intake around the time of neutering.

As for feeding times and amounts, here are a few things to keep in mind.

“There are equations you can use to predict the energy needs of a cat,” Larsen says. But many things -- including climate, activity, and the cat's metabolism -- affect that.

You can simply evaluate your own cat by looking at his or her silhouette and touching the belly from the top and sides, she says. If you can’t feel ribs, you may need to adjust how much you’re feeding your cat. If you want more guidance, you can find body condition scoring systems online.

Bough agrees that it’s difficult to evaluate the exact amount of food a cat needs. “You can start by weighing your cat and looking at the product packaging,” she says, “But watch your cat and work with your vet to determine how much your cat should weigh.”

There are several types of feeding methods owners commonly use, which may vary depending on the needs of their adult cats and their schedules:

• Portion-control feeding involves measuring the food and offering it as a meal. It can be used for weight control and for animals that tend to overeat if allowed to feed at will.
• Free-choice feeding means food - typically dry food, which is less likely to spoil - is available around the clock. Nursing cats are commonly fed free choice. But you can see why this method can turn into a problem for a cat that doesn’t know when to stop.
• Timed feeding involves making food available for a certain amount of time, then picking it up after, say, 30 minutes.

Larsen recommends twice daily feedings. Bough says, “As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that cats be fed twice daily using the portion control feeding method. To do this, start by dividing the amount suggested on the label of your pet’s food into two meals, spaced eight to 12 hours apart. You may need to adjust portions as you learn your cat’s ideal daily maintenance amount.”

What about treats? “Keep the calories from treats to less than 10% of daily calories,” Larsen says.

Otherwise, your cat might start to eat less of his or her regular adult cat food, which means his overall diet could lack essential nutrients. And, of course, too many treats can make kitty’s waistline that much tougher to recover.

is it legal to eat your cat?

When police in Western New York pulled over Gary Korkuc for blowing off a stop sign on Sunday, they found a live cat in his trunk, covered in cooking oil, peppers, and salt. Korkuc told authorities that his pet feline was "possessive, greedy, and wasteful" and that he intended to cook and eat it. Korkuc has been charged with animal cruelty. Is there a legal way to cook and eat a cat?

Maybe in some places, but not New York. Few states have specific laws barring the use of pets for food. The ones that do typically ban the slaughter or sale of dog and cat meat. The state of New York expressly prohibits "any person to slaughter or butcher domesticated dog (canis familiaris) or domesticated cat (felis catus or domesticus) to create food, meat or meat products for human or animal consumption." It's not clear whether the eating itself is outlawed or only the butchery. If you managed to buy dog or cat flesh from someone else who broke the anti-slaughter law, you might be OK. The law also doesn't cover ferrets, gerbils, parakeets, or other less familiar pet species. (Although the general anti-cruelty law might protect exotics.)

California's anti-pet-eating law has a broader reach. It bars possession of the carcass, so having bought your cat steaks from someone else wouldn't be a useful alibi. The California law also protects "any animal traditionally or commonly kept as a pet or companion," rather than just Fido and Fluffy. The statute is somewhat untested, though, so no one really knows which animals are included. Pigs are not, even though they are commonly kept as pets, because they are farm animals. Horses are specifically covered by a different section of the code. There's no precedent on iguanas, goldfish, or boa constrictors.

Advertisement

In most of the country, the legality of pet-eating would come down to the specific language of the general animal cruelty statute and how a judge interpreted it. Some states, such as Virginia, bar the unnecessary killing of an animal, with a specific exemption for "farming activities." In those places, it's very likely that killing a cat for dinner would get you in trouble, because the killing wouldn't be necessary, and cats aren't commonly associated with farming.

On the other end of the spectrum are states like Missouri, where very few restrictions are placed on when, why, and how an owner can kill his pet. In these areas, it would be difficult to lock up a cat-eater, unless his chosen means of slaughter were particularly inhumane.

Authorities won't have any trouble prosecuting Korkuc, the Western New Yorker who was marinating his cat in the trunk. Whether or not he really intended to eat his feline, keeping a companion animal in a motor vehicle without proper ventilation is illegal. Rubbing the cat with chili-infused oil, while not specifically addressed, is also a violation of the state's general cruelty law, which prohibits torture.

Worldwide, cat and dog meat seem to be at a crossroads. China pulled dog meat off the market for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is considering a law barring it permanently. South Korea, on the other hand, has inched toward explicitly legalizing the widespread and officially tolerated dog-meat trade.

Got a question about today's news? Ask the Explainer.

Explainer thanks Debora Bresch of the ASPCA, David Favre of Michigan State University College of Law, Adam Parascandola of the Humane Society of the United States, and David Wolfson of Columbia University.

Your Cat’s Eating Habits

Cats love their meat. In fact, these furry carnivores must eat meat to maintain their long-term health. Cats require high amounts of amino acids, "building blocks" that prevent disease. Vegetarian diets, therefore, are out of the question for cats.

Kittens (cats less than a year old) need food specially designed for their young systems- with an increased level of the necessary proteins for growing muscles and bones.

Many cats enjoy raiding a dog’s food bowl. However, cats are not small dogs and they have unique dietary needs that dog food products will not provide them. When choosing a food, cat owners should look for one that contains proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Extra vitamin and mineral supplements are not only unnecessary but potentially harmful. Supplements can unbalance a complete and balanced cat food.

Monitor your cat’s water in-take. If your cat doesn’t drink enough water, you should consider feeding your feline friend a moist or canned food diet. The canned food will cause your cat to take in larger amounts of water and they typically contain a higher percentage of protein versus dry food, which is more like their natural diets. Feeding your cat moist or canned food can prevent bladder issues later in life.

Cats are naturally efficient eaters. They typically eat to satisfy their need for energy then stop eating when that energy demand is met. Cats tend to eat small but frequent meals. While most cats will naturally regulate their eating habits, some do over indulge. Since obesity is the most common feline nutritional problem, if your cat needs to lose five or more pounds, visit the veterinarian before you begin a weight loss program.

Many cats eat in cycles, a trait passed down from their wild ancestors that ate depending on the success of the hunt. Do not mistake these peaks and valleys for dissatisfaction with the food. Talk to your veterinarian about what diet is best for your cat.

Why do cats hate water?

There are plenty of cats that love water, according to Sandi Sawchuk, a clinical instructor at the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Big, wild cats, especially those that live in hot, arid areas, often love to swim. An Asian species known as the fishing cat uses webbed paws to dive for fish, frogs and crayfish.

Among domestic breeds, the Turkish Van is known for swimming. But most house cats shy away from water.

“Because cats groom themselves, we as owners tend not to introduce them to bathing like we do our dogs,” Sawchuk says. “Ask somebody who has show cats, which have to be bathed regularly and have been in the water since they were young. Those cats will tolerate it. There’s no fight at all.”

The spray-bottle method of controlling cat behavior — giving them a squirt between the eyes when they jump up on the counter — would make just about anyone wary.

“What’s the cat going to think about water then, when it’s only used for punishment?” says Sawchuk, who has three cats at home.

It’s not uncommon for the owners of Sawchuk’s feline patients to describe their cats sitting on the edge of the bathtub, batting at the stream of water from the faucet or showerhead.

“When they have the ability to control how much they can get near the water and how much exposure they have, they don’t seem to mind at all,” Sawchuk says.