Feeding cats: How often, how much, and above all what should cats eat?

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Article by Veterinarian Sanja Polz

There are many questions surrounding cat feeding. These also include whether food should always be left in their bowl or whether they should be fed several times a day. And to make things more difficult: Cats are gourmets and fussy eaters. 

Many cat owners wonder how often they should feed their cat - especially when it comes to feline friends that race to the bowl as soon as you enter the kitchen. Generally speaking, your cat should eat two to three small meals a day. 

This is especially tricky with wet food, because cats usually leave some food behind, rather than eating a whole bag or tin of cat food. But make sure not to leave wet food sitting out on hot summer days. The high temperatures can result in quicker spoiling, making the cat food a health hazard. Our tip: Instead of emptying all the feed into your cat’s bowl at once, simply dispense the amount your cat will eat in one go. You can keep the rest in the fridge, but please do not serve it ice-cold!

How much food does a cat need?

A healthy cat will eat as much food as it needs and does not need to be encouraged to eat. The total amount of food cats need per day depends on different factors: age, current weight, activity level and health status of the cat. Some cats are suited to having dry food available at all times, while others become rounder and gain weight because they are constantly eating. A fun way to control dry food intake is quite simple: Use feeder balls or rolling puzzle feeders that are hollow inside and have small holes. Fill the toy with the food. When your cat plays with it, food will fall out. The element of fun has the added value of the cat being active while at the same time putting their hunting instincts to good use. The latter is psychologically very important for cats!

Chip-controlled automatic feeders are a new way to control the amount of food: These only open when the cat with the right microchip goes to the food bowl. In addition, you can programme the amount of food allowed for the whole day, for example. 

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Determine individual food quantity

There is such a wide variety of cat food available, all in different qualities and compositions, that it is impossible to set a blanket amount of food for cats. The feeding recommendation on the food you buy can be used as a rough guideline. However, it is important to consider the activity of your own cat: If your cat is an indoor cat and spends most of the day lounging around, it needs less than if it is always being curious and active. If your cat is an outdoor cat, it naturally needs more energy than a house cat. But beware of your outdoor cat also being fed by the neighbours!

As with us humans, metabolism slows down with increasing age – and a cat's urge to play also decreases. Thus, it needs less calories/energy from food. And because exceptions prove the rule, there are cats that seem to eat all the time and don't gain weight, or cats that tend to be overweight without additional food. 

What really matters when it comes to cat food?

The most important thing when choosing a cat food is, of course, the ingredients. Cats, unlike dogs, are born carnivores. That is why vets recommend food with a meat content of around 70%, preferably without grain, added sugar, preservatives or flavour enhancers. Picture it like this: The best food for a cat is a mouse. As many grains that can fit in a mouse's stomach is the guideline amount of carbohydrates in cat food. 

One particularity of cats is that their bodies cannot produce enough taurine by themselves - so they must receive the recommended amount of it from the food they eat.  

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Top tip for sick cats

A sick cat or one that is recovering from illness often needs to be encouraged to eat. A very simple trick is to slightly warm up their usual food. This makes the smell more intense and stimulates their appetite. Another option is to tempt your cat with fresh - really fresh! - meat or fish. Do not leave the fish or meat outside, but refrigerate it again if it is not eaten immediately. Meat and fish also go down well when cooked; however, they must not be salted or fried! It is best to talk to the vet about what is good for your cat and what is not. Special food supplements are an option for especially sick cats, but these should only be given after medical consultation. 

Is your cat losing weight even though its habits and food have remained the same? Then you should definitely contact your vet right away. If your cat puts on weight, you can reduce the food yourself or switch to a special diet food - and also increase the activity. However, if their weight continues to go up, you should seek medical help.

No rule of thumb

As you can see, there are many aspects of feeding and caring for your cat that need to be considered. The good thing is: You can easily check your cat's weight yourself at any time. Just step on the scales with your cat and then without - the difference is the weight of your cat! 

 

Our Expert

Sanja Polz,  BVetMed MRCVS CCRP 

Veterinarian Sanja Polz supports us at DOG'S LOVE and CAT'S LOVE with her expertise. After completing her studies at the Royal Veterinary College, London, she went on to receive in-depth specialist training at home and abroad. Meanwhile, Sanja has been running her own practice, CityVet, in Vienna for several years.