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How Much Cat Food Should Your Cat Eat in a Meal?

21. December 2024
So, we go to great lengths to ensure our feline friends eat more. We mix canned food with kibble, ad

So, we go to great lengths to ensure our feline friends eat more. We mix canned food with kibble, add beef and cat treats, cook chicken breast, and even offer a variety of snacks like freezedried delicacies. After all, the ultimate goal for all cat parents is to see our little darlings gain some weight. But how much should a cat eat to grow healthy and strong? Today, let's delve into this topic in detail.

What nutrients do cats need?

Proteins, fats, carbohydrates (sugars), vitamins, minerals, and water are the essential nutritional elements that all animals require. However, unlike humans, the priority in a cat's diet is different: proteins fats carbohydrates vitamins = minerals water.

Let's take a look at a cat's original habitat. In the wild, feline predators like to hunt small rodents, rabbits, and birds, which serve as their primary food sources.

This means that in the wild, cats need more proteins than carbohydrates. However, this doesn't mean that other nutrients are unimportant. It simply reflects a different dietary structure from that of humans.

Hunting small animals not only provides cats with proteins and water but also with internal organs, which are rich in vitamins and minerals that cats cannot synthesize on their own.

Since humans began domesticating feline species, pet diets have become increasingly similar to ours. Cat food has replaced the wild hunting of prey.

In the design of cat food formulas from all brands, the protein content is always a key consideration. This is why cat food is often more expensive than dog food.

Cat food is enriched with highquality protein sources, such as chicken, beef, and fish, while reducing the amount of inexpensive carbohydrates.

Therefore, for indoor cats, choosing cat food with highquality protein sources is a great choice.

Compared to proteins and carbohydrates, cats require a lower fat content, around 20%.

Fatty acids like OMEGA3 (ω3/Ω3) and OMEGA6 (ω6/Ω6) are very helpful for cats with enteritis and dermatitis, among other issues.

Additionally, fats play a crucial role in the absorption of fatsoluble vitamins.

How much to feed in one meal?

This is a question that has plagued cat owners for generations. Too much food left uneaten, or too little, and the cat might go hungry. But how much is just right?

Actually, cats of different stages have different caloric needs.

Cat food packaging usually includes a recommended caloric intake based on the cat's weight, which can serve as a reference for how much to feed.

Here's a simple method to calculate the caloric needs:

Convert your cat's weight to kilograms and multiply it by the corresponding caloric value. That's the daily caloric requirement for your feline friend. Isn't that easy?

Remember, this is the daily caloric requirement, not the amount for each meal. Divide the total by the number of meals you plan to feed.

Now, how do I find out the caloric value of the cat food?

It's important to note that different brands of cat food have varying protein contents, which means the amount of food your cat needs to eat daily will also differ. Always check the ingredient list and recommended intake before switching to a new brand.

How to choose a feeding method?

1. FreeFeeding or FixedRation Feeding

Once you know how much cat food to feed, the next challenge for cat owners is deciding between freefeeding and fixedratio feeding.

From a physiological standpoint, a cat's stomach is proportionally smaller than a human's, which means they can't eat a lot at once.

Freefeeding is convenient for cat owners, but it can lead to food spoilage in the bowl and a lack of appetite, making the cat picky.

2. Young Cats

Young cats are very active, running, jumping, and playing are part of their daily routine. For young cats, feeding them in small, frequent portions is the best approach.

Too little food can lead to malnutrition, low immunity, and a smaller size compared to cats of the same age. On the other hand, too much food can cause vomiting or diarrhea due to the inability to digest large amounts of food and protein.

Feeding three times a day is the best way to ensure that young cats get the nutrients they need without overeating and putting too much stress on their digestive system.

Cat owners can put out some food in the morning, more in the evening when they come home, and a final meal before bed.

This method is suitable for cats over 4 months old, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients throughout the day without overeating.

3. Adult Cats

Adult cats, on the other hand, spend most of the day sleeping and are only active for about 4 hours at night.

The best feeding method for adult cats is twice a day.

If the cat is very active or pregnant, an extra meal of cooked chicken breast or canned food can be offered as a snack in the evening.

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