Daily Cat Feeding Guide: How Much to Serve Your Feline

Feeding on Demand or Scheduled Feeding

From a natural perspective, wild cats often consume their prey in several sittings. Therefore, considering the feline's wild instincts, a freefeeding approach allows them to eat smaller, more frequent meals, which aligns more closely with their natural behavior. Moreover, this method can save time and effort, alleviating concerns about whether your feline friend is getting enough to eat (many pet parents worry about this).

However, freefeeding does come with its own set of three notable issues. First, some cats may lack selfcontrol, leading to overeating and potential obesity. Second, cat food left exposed to the air for extended periods can become damp or harbor bacteria (though I've never personally encountered spoiled cat food in a bowl).

Besides freefeeding, many cat owners now opt for scheduled feeding. Convenience is the biggest advantage of this method. With an automatic cat food dispenser set to specific times and amounts, the daily feeding routine is simplified, and there's no need to worry about missed meals due to oversleeping or late work hours.

In addition to convenience, scheduled feeding helps control the daily portion size, reducing the risk of obesity. It also allows for a clear view of the feeding schedule, showing how much is eaten per meal and ensuring the overall daily intake is normal.

These are the pros and cons of both freefeeding and scheduled feeding. You can choose the method that best suits your situation.

How Much to Feed Daily

There are two ways to determine how much to feed your cat daily. For homemade meals, you can use the weightbased method, while for dry food, the caloriebased method is more appropriate.

The weightbased method involves determining the approximate amount of fresh food needed daily based on the cat's age and weight. Generally, kittens require more food than adult cats.

Alternatively, you can calculate the total daily calorie needs of your cat to determine the weight of the dry food required, using the caloriebased method. For instance, if a particular cat food has 400kcal per 100g (usually indicated on the packaging), a 5kg adult cat would need 350Kcal daily. The daily amount of dry food needed would be: (350/400) 100 = 87.5g.

However, individual differences exist, and these calculations are merely guidelines. Cat parents should observe and adjust the feeding amount based on their pet's size, appetite, activity level, and overall health. A wellfed cat should have a healthy weight, glossy coat, and be in good health (free from diseases and with minimal eye boogers or tear stains). If the cat doesn't finish a meal at once but consumes it over a period, this is a sign of appropriate feeding.

Summary

1. Both freefeeding and scheduled feeding have their own merits and drawbacks. Personally, I recommend the scheduled feeding method, ideally with three to four feedings per day if possible.

2. When feeding homemade meals, consider the cat's age and weight; for dry food, refer to the age and calorie content.

3. Generally, kittens require the most energy per kilogram of body weight, followed by adult cats, and neutered cats the least.

4. Due to significant individual differences, it's crucial for cat parents to observe and experiment with feeding amounts. Remember, the key is to tailor the feeding to the cat's actual condition.