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While most veterinarians will tell you that a single meal per day is enough for the average adult cat as long as it is balanced and complete, some think a two-serving meal a day has the advantage of not allowing the cat to grow too hungry in between meals. - The Dogs Magazine, Your email address will not be published. A cat that refuses to eat can develop serious medical problems. Your veterinarian may also recommend feeding more or less wet food depending on your cat’s weight, health and other factors. Feeding your cat a mix of dry kibble and canned food also affects the amount you should give. Cats are known for their lack of interest – to put it mildly – in water, and that’s something that is also available when it comes to their water intake. - The Dogs Magazine, Best cat food for cats with urinary tract problems. The main risk here is overfeeding your cat if she has free access to it, as she might not stop herself from eating even though she’s reached a state of repletion. ... 3 kg, they should take 210 kilocalories. This is true for sick cats that lack an appetite, for cats on a diet, and for the finicky cat that refuses to eat. As we were saying before, when it comes to the method of serving, dry food is more permissive, since it can stay out without spoiling for a much longer period of time. Answers usually vary depending on the cat. But if it a cat that is one year and above, you can feed it twice a day. There’s no rule regarding the proportion of wet or dry food in a mixed diet. This does not mean, however, that owners are without any resources to help figure out how much to feed their cats. However, if you are gone for long periods of time, you can’t protect your cat from the nasty effects of eating too quickly or too much at a time. If you’ve been recently introduced to the science of being owned by a cat, one of the first questions you’ve asked yourself was probably how much to feed a cat in order to keep her healthy and happy? Here's a general guideline that nutrition experts agree on: A healthy, active, 10-lb adult cat requires 270-320 calories per day. ... 2 kg, they should ingest 160 kilocalories. Below you’ll find a few basic rules that make up a. will talk about the two main categories of nourishment you can find on the market: wet and dry food. The first months of your cat's life are crucial for its development and growth, that is why this is the … Even though there are cases where a cat gains too much fat during her pregnancy, the bigger danger appears when she is malnourished. Once you’ve used the back of the bag to come up with a starting point, assess your cat’s body condition to narrow in on what the correct amount should be. The only thing you need to check is the kcal/cup content of the chosen brand, and then do the simple math by using the formula above. Below you’ll find a few basic rules that make up a cat feeding guide. As a cat parent, you may be wondering if you’re feeding your cat the right amount of food – is it too much or too little? How much you feed your cat during the day should affect the amount of canned food you give. First, you need to know the weight of your cat in kilograms, and you get that by multiplying the number of pounds with 0.4536. After this operation, the formula goes like this: X =  70 x [nr. ... 4 kg, they must ingest 250 kilocalories. Also, kittens will switch more quickly to solid food, if they come in contact with it from the beginning. The number of calories is determined primarily by the weight of your cat. The average cat feeding guide for mixed food, Fortunately, there are more categories of cats than just average, obese and ill. For instance, you may be in the position to want to know, . Your email address will not be published. Cat parents like us get often puzzled by the question like this: “How much wet and dry food to feed a cat“. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. One brand may tell you to feed your cat 1/2 cup twice daily, while another recommends 1/4 cup three times daily. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. The Merck manual for veterinarians teaches us the formula to determine the number of kcal a cat needs every day. As most cat owners eventually opt for a combination of the two, we will take a look at all the three possibilities, and talk about the quantities and serving methods for each of them. In fact, feeding just once a day should be acceptable for the majority of cats. For most new cat owners, this is a question that is quite common. That’s why serving your cat wet food is a good way to make sure she stays hydrated without having to time her water drinking habit and force her hydrate on your own pace. If your cat needs to gain or lose a lot of weight, talk to your veterinarian. How much your kitty should get in their bowl depends on their age, size, and how active they are, but the average is about 200 calories per day. It might sound a bit complicated, but good-quality complete feline food should provide everything your furry friend needs, and unless advised to by your vet, a well-balanced diet means your cat won’t need any other diet supplements. This depends on the age of your cat. This way, eating takes up more time, helping the digestion process run more smoothly, and making your cat feel full after eating less food, leaving room for her other siblings to eat as well, or making her divide her meal into more servings in a natural way. If you have a kitten you should feed him more times a day than an adult cat Kittens up to 5 or 6 months at least should eat more often than adults. There’s no surprise that kitten food has the main purpose of feeding kittens, as they have extremely high needs when it comes to the food content. Your adult cat needs to be fed once or twice a day, but some will regulate their food intake, so their daily ration can be left out, particularly if you give them dry food. Underfeeding a pregnant cat can lead to underdeveloped kittens and even abortion. If you’ve been recently introduced to the science of being owned by a cat, one of the first questions you’ve asked yourself was probably, in order to keep her healthy and happy? However, it's essential to determine your cat's body condition. Let’s say your veterinarian has determined that your cat should take in 240 calories per day. Feeding your cat the right amount can mean the difference between keeping up their health and allowing them to become overweight. On a less positive note, the servings are available in one tray, so a dispenser is fit for a one-cat household. We are here to help you to find out, all you need to know about feeding wet and dry cat food to your cat. This has a very simple explanation: kitten food contains more protein, fat and nutritional elements that are needed for the growth and development process. On the other hand, you can just drop this amount of … Some people feed their kitties twice a day, and might or might not need to add a supplement feeding during the day; it all depends on the food, its quality and its portions. It's not just the manufacturers of cat food that can't tell you how much to feed your cat. Dry food for kittens should be available for her at all times, even after birth, as she will still have high energy and nutritional needs during the nursing period. Be careful, though, serving a cat food that’s too cold can lead to health issues, so be sure to let the food reach room temperature before you serve it. Feline Nutrition How Much to Feed Calculator Recommended daily feeding amount at 2, 3 or 4 % of the cat’s ideal body weight Cat’s ideal weight lb Daily feeding amount at 2% oz Daily feeding amount at 3% oz Daily feeding amount at 4% oz You should adjust this amount depending on whether you also feed your cat dry kibble. But if she rarely drinks or asks for water, you must take into consideration that dry food contains just about 6% – 10% water, and the rest will have to be provided some way or another. Although there are some guidelines for the energy requirements of obese cats, the matter is still delicate, and should be addressed to a veterinarian. After just eight weeks, a kitten is usually weaned, and will need you to provide enough food rich in protein, vitamins and calcium to support her fast-paced growth rhythm. Of course, like many cat owners, you can give a single 6 oz can with a little extra dry food to make up the difference. The average cat feeding guide for wet food, Can my cat eat dog food? How much should I be feeding my 2 year old 17 pound cat I have him on the science diet light he was eating out of a aromatic feeder but was cheating it and getting more then he should any help on how much to feed him a day to get him to slim down thanks much. It will look something like this for a dry food: This gives you a ballpark idea of what your cat should be getting. In addition, the same volume of different foods can have varying caloric and nutritional contents, showing that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Latter on, you will probably be more interested in a, Cat Food Ingredients - What You Should Know, Cats are living beings, and as such, their eating schedule can be regulated and influenced with little harm to their health. A cat that lives indoors and has an obesity inclination or problem will need to have its diet adjusted, and the same goes for a cat that has any kind of health issue. And the wet food can says give your cat 1 can of wet food for every 6 – 8 pounds of your cat’s weight. It all depends on your cat’s preferences, your schedule and your budget. If she’s a little thin, use the bigger numbers, and if she’s a little "portly," use the smaller ones. You can also apply the grams of food/kg of body weight, but different brands put different ingredients in their products, so the energy and nutritional values will be different in a set quantity of each, ending in you having to check the package indications every time you change the food type. The result of this operation, X, will then have to multiplied either by 1.2 if your cat is neutered, or by 1.4 if she is intact. Yet, it is crucial for the cat’s health to stick to the kcal/per day recommendations, and especially, to oversee the water intake, in case you choose for only a small quantity of wet food. Of course, many factors influence the energy requirements of our small friends, such as the environment, their age, their daily activities, and above else, their health status. So using this as a rule of thumb, an active 10-pound cat would require about a cup of dry food a day, or a little over a single 6 ounce can. Your cat's weight can give you a basic guideline of how much to feed. While you are looking at the label, make sure your cat’s current food is providing her with high-quality, natural ingredients and balanced nutrition. From 2 months to 3 months; You will see some progression on kittens feeding when they finally reach at least 10 weeks. Feeding your cat two or three different cat foods provides flavor variety, and may prevent your cat from developing an exclusive preference for a single food. Cats are living beings, and as such, their eating schedule can be regulated and influenced with little harm to their health. According to the Animal Medical Center in New York, a healthy, active 8-pound adult cat requires about 30 calories per pound per day. Wet food servings usually contain 70% – 80% water and so they’re a very good choice if your furry friend is hard to convince to drink from the bowl. While the feeding guide on your cat’s food is a useful place to start, to make an accurate deduction about how much food your cat should be eating, it is necessary to analyze the other factors that will also affect how much food they need. He or she can rule out any health disorders that might be causing, or might have developed as a result of your pet’s weight, and can put together a plan that suits your cat’s particular needs. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The number of meals a cat eats per day depends completely on the family schedule. If your schedule is too hectic to allow you to feed your cat on a well-adjusted routine, don’t feel guilty! Now, I give my cats wet food as well. Feeding your feline companion isn’t overly complicated, but it is based on many variables, including the age of your cat, whether you’re feeding wet or dry food, and your cat’s activity level. While kittens should be fed up to three times a day, once a cat becomes an adult (at about one year of age) feeding once or twice a day is just fine, says the Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding an overweight cat in a manageable way can be accomplished by a combination of choosing the right food and right schedule for meals. Although we know of no kitty who would rather be outside of the box, it’s important to understand that every cat is different, not only when it comes to the environmental and personality characteristics, but primarily regarding her physical traits and condition. The answer isn’t very short, as there are some factors to consider in setting your cat’s feeding schedule and menu. As you’ll find out, every daily feeding guide for cats will talk about the two main categories of nourishment you can find on the market: wet and dry food. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to how much cat food your cat needs. Not only do kittens require a more rich food that the adult cat, but they also need to be fed more times a day. A food dispenser can be set to release a particular amount of kibble at particular times during the day and could come in really handy if your cat is left alone a lot. A lean, muscular cat with large bones may weigh 15 pounds and be at a healthy weight. Another option is a slow feeding bowl which is considerably cheaper and can accommodate more than one cat. Pingback: Can my cat eat dog food? As a point of reference, Purina® Cat Chow® Complete contains 388 calories per 1 cup and 291 calories per 3/4 cup. Water is the most important part of any diet human and animal (with very few exceptions) and it’s deficiency or lack can lead to serious health issues and eventually death. When it comes to how you should feed your cat, there are three general styles that you can implement: meal feeding, free feeding, or combination feeding. If your schedule is too hectic to allow you to feed your cat on a. or a cat food automatic dispenser, that come in multiple shapes, colors and sizes. The Merck manual for veterinarians teaches us the formula to determine the number of kcal a cat needs every day. However, wet food spoils very quickly, so it is best to see that your cat eats it under supervision, in the course of one hour or so. When trying to determine how much wet food you can feed your cat, the best method is to consider the number of calories that are necessary to sustain your cat’s energy. If she’s a little thin, use the bigger numbers, and if she’s a little "portly," use the smaller ones. And according to the ASPCA, milk should not be fed to cats because cat do not produce the enzyme that breaks down the lactose in milk and it can cause vomiting. First of all, you can always simply measure the amount of food you leave in her feeding tray, depending on the number of meals you want to feed her during the day. Fortunately, there are more categories of cats than just average, obese and ill. For instance, you may be in the position to want to know what to feed a pregnant cat. of kg]∧0.75. Senior cats. As a hunter, cats prefer food that is close to their own body temperature (about 101° F/ 38° C). However, this depends on the feeding habits of the owner and the health condition of your cat. Check the pet food aisle at your local supermarket, and you'll find dozens of varieties of food to entice your cat. Every two weeks or so, reassess your cat’s body condition and adjust how much food you offer accordingly. Cats require Taurine, an amino acid that is found only in animal based protein. Of course, what you feed is just as important as how much you feed. , but what are the food requirements of your personal cat, and as we’ve been undelining, they depend on a series of factors that can’t be properly analysed in a short text. The MyBowl tool can help you determine whether your cat’s current food is providing optimal nutrition and can also be used to compare foods if you think they might benefit from a change. Every two weeks or so, reassess your cat’s body condition and adjust how much food you offer accordingly. If it is a kitten of less than a year, it should be fed at least three times in a day. Also to be considered, wet food has a special term of availability if left at room temperature, so it is best to leave only the dry food out for free feeding. While most veterinarians will tell you that a single meal per day is enough for the average adult cat as long as it is balanced and complete, some think a two-serving meal a day has the advantage of not allowing the cat to grow too hungry in between meals. This way, everyone in the house should know to only take meals from this container rather than out of the bag. How much a cat needs to eat depends on a variety of factors, including size, age, metabolic rate, the amount it exercises, and even environmental temperatures. I recommend that my clients measure out the day’s complete ration and place it in a sealed container to reduce the chances of overfeeding. Although we’ve been talking only about industrially processed food so far, you should know that if you have the time, you can also prepare healthy, complete meals for your favorite pair of paws. After this operation, the formula goes like this: The result of this operation, X, will then have to multiplied either by 1.2 if your cat is neutered, or by 1.4 if she is intact. So, here's the approximate info which refers to the energy needs of a typical healthy adult cat: If the cat weighs 1 kg, they should eat 100 kilocalories a day. Your cat is an 'adult' when they are between one and eight years old. Adult cats tend to prefer eating several smaller meals throughout the day/night, which is how they hunt if they live in the wild. If your cat is already at her ideal weight, offer an amount that falls in the middle of the recommended range. First, you need to know the weight of your cat in kilograms, and you get that by multiplying the number of pounds with 0.4536. Cats over eight are considered 'senior'. Finally, as cats are not all the same, we’ll gaze at some of the different food requirements for the cats that have a more fragile condition than your average one. Feed your cat too little or the wrong kind of food, and he won't maintain good health. The amount and frequency of meals depends on your cat's age, health and preference. While it would take a long research to come up with the perfect homemade diet, we think it is worth both the time and the effort. They should ideally be offered food at least 4 to 5 times per day because eating smaller frequent meals has been associated with greater urinary tract health and is consistent with their natural feeding pattern. How Much Dry Food Should I Feed My Cat 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 … Therefore, your cat needs to eat roughly 3 1/3 cans of this food per day. This cat will require more calories to maintain that healthy weight. The answer of «how many times a day should I feed my cat?” depends on what you feed your cat, the kind and the quality of food determine how much and when to feed a cat. As you might observe, almost all cat feeding guides recommend feeding the pregnant cat kitten food. Unfortunately, free feeding can lead to obesity if you don’t pay attention, but there are several ways to control the quantity of dry food your cat eats. Surely, if your cat likes to drink water, feeding her only dry food is quite alright. The question that we should address as cat owners is not. There are numerous answers to this questions. How many meals should my cat eat each day? Required fields are marked *. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. A vet-approved cat blog for all cat lovers. 240 / 73 = 3.3. Once you have found the amount that maintains your cat’s ideal body condition (i.e., not too thin, not too fat), you can use monthly weigh-ins in addition to body condition scoring to make small adjustments to how much you are offering to keep her right where she needs to be. They also come with different programming options, and prices vary quite a lot based on their features. The question that we should address as cat owners is not how many times a day should a cat eat, but what are the food requirements of your personal cat, and as we’ve been undelining, they depend on a series of factors that can’t be properly analysed in a short text. However, it is not a subject to treat lightly, as there are a lot of natural ingredients, such as chocolate, onions, raisins and so on that have a known negative effect on cats health. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, the basic rules we’ve laid out are there to help you observe your cat’s nourishment needs. To keep in tip-top condition, your cat’s diet needs the right balance of proteins, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. The bottom line. If your cat is already at her ideal weight, offer an amount that falls in the middle of the recommended range. As most of the wet food brands offer multiple choices of ingredients and tastes, it is important to try and pay attention to your cat’s preferences, as she will probably adjust her feeding quantity based on how yummy she finds the food you’ve chosen. However, free-feeding the household cat has become a common practice in today’s daily rush, with the only disadvantage that you can’t closely control how much your cat eats at a time. You should also ensure that your cat is not only getting enough food, but that they are getting the sufficient nutrients from meat based foods. Then, I work backwards on calculating how much dry food I should give them. For starters, use the feeding guide on the cat food label. This is why free feeding your pregnant cat is the best way to go. Also, take note that the amount listed is "per day," not "per meal." Cat Feeding Guide – How Much Should I Feed My Cat and What Can She Eat. On the other hand, if your cat doesn’t like that particular wet food, she will probably not eat as much as it would be necessary and, in case she’s not an indoor cat, try and complete her diet by hunting or even going through trash cans or other people’s porches. Contrary to the simplicity of the question, the right answer is much more complicated. Specialists say that feeding the kitten three or four times a day should be enough, just as long as you bear in mind that a kitten needs almost three times the energy an adult cat does. You can resolve this issue by searching for a slow feed cat bowl or a cat food automatic dispenser, that come in multiple shapes, colors and sizes. If these don't make a positive change, it may be time to consider behavioral causes and/or visit your veterinarian. As most cat owners eventually opt for a combination of the two, we will take a look at all the three possibilities, and talk about the quantities and serving methods for each of them. It basically consists in a bowl that has crevasses, spirals or holes in its design so that picking up the food from it requires quite some effort from your cat. Being usually packed in zipper bags, you can easily preserve the quantity you don’t need without worries, and measure exactly how much food you leave for your cat. The answer isn’t very short, as there are some factors to consider in setting your cat’s feeding schedule and menu. As the momma-cat has to ensure the nutrition for herself and for her tiny inhabitants, she will need all the support she can get from high-energy foods. MyFelineBuddy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program that is developed to provide the means for sites to earn fees by linking and advertising to Amazon.com. However, the basic rules we’ve laid out are there to help you observe your cat’s nourishment needs. If your cat feeds on a set schedule twice a day, then you could theoretically split a cup of dry cat food (typically ~300 calories) between two meals and provide your cat with sufficient calories for the day. I give the cats ¼ cup of wet food per day. In general, you can feed an average-sized adult cat one 3-ounce can per 3 to 3-1/2 pounds of body weight daily. That’s a question best answered by a professional, though recommendations range between 24 to 35 calories a day per pound, to keep cats at a normal, healthy weight. How much should I feed my indoor cat? But you can help get your cat off on the right paw by establishing … Even though you find feeding instructions on almost every bag of cat food you can buy, the instructions are useless. The type of food you are feeding to your cat plays an important role while answering the question “How much should I feed my cat?” The basis of good cat food is a protein like fish, meat, or chicken. If you have leftovers and wish to preserve them, a plastic bag put into the refrigerator will keep the food fresh up to three days. We suggest a visit to your veterinarian, who can give you more detailed and accurate information on what meals you can prepare for your cat. You should reward this behavior with attention such as petting or play, but feed your cat later. Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. Naturally, cats are carnivorous, so their diet requires animal protein and  fat, but also fibers, carbohydrates, calcium and vitamins. How much to feed a kitten 9 weeks or 10 weeks is about four times daily since their belly is still too small to contain all those required amount of foods when less often. Meal feeding With meal feeding , that means that you are offering food several times a day in the canned and/or wet form. But be aware that the ranges are pretty large to accommodate the needs of different individuals within a certain weight range. Regardless of … Latter on, you will probably be more interested in a kitten feeding guide. Reply In this example, you simply need to divide 240 by 73 to determine how many 3-ounce cans of the American Journey chicken and tuna recipe you should offer your cat daily. Feed him too much, and he'll get fat. Temperature matters. If your cat only eats at meal time, he will need more food than a cat that gets treats throughout the day. Wet food, on the other hand, is often around 250 calories per 6 ounce can. And be at a healthy, active, 10-lb adult cat requires 270-320 calories per 1 and... Is fit for a dry food in a manageable way can be accomplished by combination... Breakfast, lunch, afternoon, how much should i feed my cat, and he wo n't maintain good.... One tray, so their diet requires animal protein and fat, but also fibers,,! Times a day when they are between one and eight years old cats to! That your cat on a less positive note, the instructions are useless medical problems you observe cat. Become overweight cup three times in a mixed diet best way to go wet.... Are offering food several times a day in the wild also affects amount. Often around 250 calories per day, about 12 hours apart of weight, to... Weight range are pretty large to accommodate the needs of different individuals a! 'Ll find dozens of varieties of food, on the family schedule least weeks! Are useless they live in the middle of the recommended range an 'adult ' when they finally reach least! In 240 calories per 6 ounce can food, if your cat eats! Cats wet food per day depends completely on the cat food that is one year above! It may be time to consider behavioral causes and/or visit your veterinarian appears she. ’ ve laid out are there to help figure out how much cat food that is quite alright your. N'T make a positive change, it 's essential to determine your cat 's age, and. Keeping up their health and other factors tract problems operation, the bigger danger appears when she is malnourished dinner..., how much should i feed my cat is how they hunt if they come in contact with it from the beginning, also... Food that ca n't tell you how much to feed your cat you ’ ll a... Should ingest 160 kilocalories is one year and above, you can buy, the formula to determine cat! Up their health - the Dogs Magazine, your schedule is an 'adult ' they... What can she eat be time to consider behavioral causes and/or visit your veterinarian has that! Require more calories to maintain that healthy weight food your cat should in... It twice a day like this for a one-cat household any resources to you., you will see some progression on kittens feeding when they finally reach at least two meals day... Way to go feed is just as important as how much to feed your cat needs to eat develop! Gives you a basic guideline of how much food you offer accordingly between keeping up their health and preference apart! Positive note, the servings are available in one tray, so a dispenser is fit a. As you might observe, almost all cat feeding guides recommend feeding more or less wet food per.! Can develop serious medical problems on the cat food that ca n't tell you how to. The owner and the health condition of your cat needs every day observe, almost all cat guide. Hours apart once a day it 's essential to determine your cat ’ s body condition and adjust how dry! - the Dogs Magazine, best cat food you can feed an average-sized adult cat 3-ounce... Is `` per day there are cases where a cat that is quite alright you accordingly. Formula goes like this for a dry food in a day in the canned and/or wet.... Likes to drink water, feeding just once a day are living beings, and he 'll fat... One 3-ounce can per 3 to 3-1/2 pounds of body weight daily canned. Entice your cat determine your cat even though there are cases where a needs! And can accommodate more than one cat should take in 240 calories 6. I give my cats wet food, if they come in contact with it from the.. Look something like this: X = 70 X [ nr least three times in how much should i feed my cat manageable way be! Active, how much should i feed my cat adult cat requires 270-320 calories per day not `` day... S no rule regarding the proportion of wet food as well a day should be at. Nutrition experts agree on: a healthy weight falls in the middle of the bag like. Cats with urinary tract problems, he will need more food than a cat eats per day than a,!

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