It’s always debatable as to how much to feed your cat. This article was published by preventivevet.com and gives good guidelines as to how much to feed our feline friends. We like to thank preventivevet.com for providing this valuable information.

How Often Should You Feed Your Cat?

This is a highly debated topic and the answer is unique to your cat.

Some cats are like cows and like to graze on food all day (and night). Others like eating at set times of the day and don’t let you forget what that time is.

The big factor, whether you leave food out all the time, feed several meals, or just two meals a day, is to make sure you aren’t giving them more calories than their daily intake needs. You should not just fill the bowl whenever it’s empty — this can lead to your cat becoming overweight or obese. Not all cats are good at regulating how much to eat at a meal.
Feed Your Cat at Least Twice a Day
Did You Know …
Outdoor cats can hunt 20+ times a day and eat 7+ meals depending on what they catch. Each one is about the size of a mouse. In fact, their stomachs are only as big as a ping pong ball.

It’s easy to see why feeding more small meals throughout the day can work best for your cat’s physiology and instinctual needs. And just like people, cats get HANGRY.

Going too long without eating can cause stress and sometimes even aggression toward people or other pets. A light meal every 6–8 hours is the perfect solution.

Like us, a cat’s stomach structure is simple. Once their stomach has filled it up with food, it begins to empty over a few hours. When their stomach is empty, which usually can take 8 to 10 hours, the brain begins to get signals from the stomach that it is hungry. This is one reason why it is generally recommended to feed cats at least twice daily.

We all know what it feels like to skip a meal or have to fast — NO FUN! Additionally, your cat’s stomach can produce extra acid if they go longer than 12 hours without food. This can cause your cat to become nauseated and possibly vomit. I don’t know about you, but I am not a fan of cat vomit!

Whatever schedule works for you and your cat, stick to it. Cats like a predictable routine, just as most people do! Their day is designed around feeding and for some cats, it is how they cope with the day-to-day events of their household.

Feeding routines can also help you switch foods more easily. A hungry cat will be a little less picky.

Finally, a feeding routine allows you to better monitor how much your cat is eating or if there is a change in their behavior when eating. These can signal early health issues that might be missed without a schedule.

For some cat owners, feeding schedules can be difficult. In these situations, you can try an automatic feeder. These are helpful to control feeding times, feeding frequency, and amounts – this way you are less likely to cheat by giving extra! Some automatic feeders can offer frequent small meals, two main meals, and even have a cold section for canned food, as the one featured below.

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