How often you should feed your cat

It is not recommended to leave food in the bowl until the next feeding. If it is a wet product, it will spoil quickly, and constantly being in the bowl of dry pellets can lead to overeating and weight gain of the pet, and this, as already noted, threatens serious health problems.

How many times a day should you feed your cat

The question of pet nutrition is probably the most important question for anyone who keeps cats. And it's not just the type and quality of food that matters, but also the amount and frequency of feeding. At Murkosha, we are often asked, "How many times a day should I feed my cat and in what quantity?" Of course, we are happy to answer these questions as we see people's interest in making the right diet for their pet. Nevertheless, we offer you in this article to become more familiar with the basic principles and norms of cat nutrition.

There can be no one answer to the question of how many times a day to feed a cat or kitten. Because the answer depends on the age of the pet, its individual characteristics, the type of food.

Surely you've noticed that cats eat often, but a little at a time. This is perfectly normal. Cats tend to eat often but in small portions since in the wild small rodents, birds and even insects are their main source of food. This raises the question of how to provide a balanced diet for our pets in an apartment.

The best substitute for a cat's natural diet is a professional cat food, which mainly consists of bird meat, beef, lamb, fish and vegetable (but not cereal) crops. At the moment, you can find many feeds in different price ranges on the market. But, of course, not all of them are equally useful (some are not useful at all), so you need to choose only quality foods.

Advantages of professional cat food

In fact, the invention of professional cat food is a wand for both owners and pets. For example, the superpremium and holistic class foods, which are used in "Murkosha", not only contain the required amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber, but also boast the presence of vitamins and minerals in their composition. With them, your cat will forget about avitaminosis and increase his immunity.

A key advantage of professional foods is their convenience. The provider determines for you the exact amount of food your cat needs to maintain health and replenish energy. Manufacturers also take care of kittens, who need a special, more caloric diet, and usually have a separate product line for them.

Using quality professional food, you can be sure of its safety. The production ensures strict quality control of all ingredients: meat, fish and other ingredients undergo special processing before they are added to the food.

Cats' daily routines

The biorhythms and eating habits of cats have their own peculiarities. In their natural habitat these animals feed on small prey (mice, birds, insects), and they hunt mainly in the dark time of the day. Even when living at home, cats retain the habit of the so-called "buffet" feeding: they prefer to eat often and little by little (up to 10-15 times a day), including at night.

"I can't feed him all day, and also at night!", the working owner will object. But with full-fat dry food fractional feeding is quite feasible, because the pellets do not spoil and do not get airy in the open air.

If your cat is an adult, it is acceptable to put food into a bowl twice a day, morning and evening. It is better to do it every day at the same time, let's say at 7:00 and 19:00. Most likely, the pet will not eat everything at once, but will stretch the meal throughout the day, and perhaps even have a night snack. As we wrote above, this is absolutely normal for a cat, and there is no need to prevent him in this. The main thing is to make sure that clean and fresh water is always available.

Should I control the amount I eat?

Dry food is very nutritious and caloric. For example, 100 grams of Blitz Adult Adult Cat Poultry contains 386 kilocalories. A moderately active medium-sized cat should have enough for two days. But if you look at the 100 grams, it's obviously not enough. For comparison, the caloric value of a fresh turkey is only 85-140 kcal.

It is clear that dry food increases the likelihood of overfeeding considerably. And if the owner will pour pellets without limits, the cat risks "earning" obesity, and then a whole bouquet of related diseases.

If you value the health of your pet, stick to the rate indicated by the manufacturer on the package with the dry product. Note that this amount of food is not a single meal, but daily. That is, for two meals a day, it should be divided into two equal portions.

It is not recommended to measure the food "by eye". It is better to use a measuring cup or an electronic kitchen scale. To simplify the task, you can once weigh out a portion on the scale and make a horizontal marker on the container indelible marker.

Can I give milk to my kitten?

Feeding your kitten undiluted milk is dangerous for her digestion. Whole cow's milk causes upsetting stools and severe dehydration in kittens. This is due to insensitivity to milk sugar (lactose). It forms a sticky mass (casein) in the stomach and will not be digested, causing bloating and colic. But even with the relative acceptance of an atypical diet, there will be less nutrients and the animal will develop more slowly.

Below is a chart with a detailed breakdown of cow's and cat's milk in terms of the balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates:

When to Introduce First Feeding

According to veterinary practice, a cat feeds kittens for 40-60 days. This period is needed to build up immunity, which will reduce the susceptibility of the body to infectious and viral diseases that the animal will encounter in the future. So at what age should we introduce complementary foods?

In the first month of life, you do not need to introduce complementary foods. All nutrients come with the mother's milk and it is quite enough for the baby. However, if it is a multiple litter, where stronger and stronger individuals push out weaker ones, and there is not enough milk for everyone, or if the kittens are weaned too early, it is necessary to supplement the babies from the first days of life. The main thing is to monitor the dynamics of weight gain and to avoid overfeeding.

How many times a day should be fed to an adult cat or cat

Following a feeding regimen is one effective way to wean your pet from weaning and maintain optimal weight. But here it's important to understand how often a cat should be fed per day – adult animals have many more individual differences than kittens, so in addition to their age, there are other important points to consider.

Classic: two meals a day

After 1 year, it is recommended to feed the animal 2 times a day. This frequency is chosen for a reason, and taking into account the digestive characteristics of predators. In the wild, members of the feline family take about 8-12 hours to digest their prey.

It is recommended to give out 1/3 of the daily norm in the morning feeding and 2/3 of the norm in the evening feeding. This is because cats are nocturnal carnivores and are most active in the evening and at night.

Food is best given in the morning and evening hours. Too frequent meals at this age are not welcome. They lead to excessive accumulation of energy, and as a consequence, obesity in the animal. Exceptions to this rule are allowed only for health reasons.

How often and how many times a day to feed a pregnant cat

Pregnant and nursing females give some of the incoming substances to their cubs. Because of this, they consume much more calories, while the volume of the stomach shrinks as the fetuses grow, so simply increasing the daily rate for them is unacceptable. They require a conversion to more caloric foods (for kittens), which are given in small portions – so expectant and nursing mothers can get all the energy and nutrients they need.

Changes also affect the feeding regimen. Pregnant females are not restricted in food and leave food freely available to them.

Drinking regimen

Regardless of the type of feeding, it is important to provide pets with free access to clean and fresh drinking water, which should be changed at least once a day and at least twice a day in summer. You can use filtered or bottled water and place several springs around the apartment at different heights.

Note that it takes much more liquid to digest a dry diet. If your pet refuses to drink, try to find out the reason. Maybe he doesn't like the smell of the bowl (if you use plastic), it is located next to the food bowl or he is not happy with its diameter and height. Observe the cat and find the right bowl for him.

If your pet shows interest in water running from the faucet, get a drinking fountain.

Advantages of professional pet food

In fact, the invention of professional cat food is a lifesaver for owners and pets alike. For example, the superpremium- and holistic-class foods used in "Murkosha" not only contain the required amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber, but also boast the presence of vitamins and minerals in their composition. With them, your cat will forget about avitaminosis and increase his immunity.

A key advantage of professional foods is their convenience. The manufacturer determines for you the exact amount of food your cat needs to stay healthy and replenish energy. Manufacturers also take care of kittens, who need a special, more caloric food and usually produce a separate series of products for them.

Using quality professional food, you can be sure of its safety. Our quality control systems ensure that all ingredients are strict: meat, fish and vegetables are specially prepared before they are added to the cat food.

Calculating a cat's food allowance

Choosing the right food is not yet a guarantee of a healthy cat. It is very important to observe the dosage based on the weight and age of the pet. As a rule, the manufacturer puts all the necessary information on the package, including the nutritional rate for an adult cat and kitten. Two values are often given: the minimum (for sedentary purrs) and the maximum (for especially active ones). When you have chosen the right amount of food for your cat, start to monitor his physical condition. If he starts to put on weight, adjust and reduce the dosage and vice versa.

Evaluating the fatness of your cat is very simple: when viewed from above, the cat should have a view of the waist, the body contours should be smooth, without a dip behind the ribs and angular protrusions. Many owners use a measuring cup or teaspoon to ensure that the cat's food intake is not compromised. We believe that this is quite logical, convenient and justified, so we strongly advise you to follow their example.

If you're too lazy to look for information about the dosage on the package, and you're used to exact numbers and like to weigh everything, then we'll give the average daily requirement of dry food (one teaspoon of about 5 grams of food):

1. For adult cats, the feeding rate at 3 kg is 25 g, at 4 kg – 40 g, at 5 kg – 55 g, at 6 kg and more – plus 12 g per kg of weight.

2. A kitten has a slightly higher nutritional norm than an adult cat. This is primarily due to the period of active growth of the body. The average daily portion for a cat weighing 2 kg is 35 g, 3 kg – 50 g, 4 kg – 70 g, and at 5 kg – 85 g.

3. A special case is when the cat is in a position. During such a period, she, as they say, needs to eat for two. If her weight is up to 5 kg – she needs about 55 g of dry food per day. If she weighs more, 12 grams per kilo is added.

It's easier with wet food. Often the manufacturer calculates the amount of product so that it is enough for exactly one meal. This is due to the fact that wet food cannot be stored long after it is opened and should be eaten as soon as possible. Otherwise, the dosage will definitely be indicated on the product package.

How do you know if a pet is malnourished or overeating?

All mustached pets can be divided into two groups: fussies and gluttons. Owners sometimes need to monitor pets' health with regular weight measurements.

Weight Control

Weight can be controlled with the help of scales or visually. In the first case, the pet should be weighed every week in order not to miss deviations. If the body weight increases, the estimated dose is decreased, and if it decreases, the dose is increased.

For visual assessment, palpation of the ribs and spine is used. They should be easily palpable, but not protruding. If they are hidden by a layer of fat – the cat should be put on a diet. If the situation is the opposite, then most likely there will be other warning signs: lethargy, hair loss, etc. In this case, too, you need to contact a specialist.

If the pet is constantly begging

When combating begging, you need to be persistent and unwavering. For starters, you should stop feeding on command. Don't buy into his cries and "pity eyes. If his weight is normal or higher, a daily portion is more than enough.

Particular attention should be paid to the regimen. Feed a cat prone to overeating at certain hours and stay on schedule. The breaks between meals should be about the same.

It is also advisable to give up treats temporarily and choose a special diet that will promote a long feeling of satiety. As a rule, these foods contain a little more protein and dietary fiber.

Useful tips for owners

In conclusion, it is worth noting a few more nuances. They relate to the drinking regimen and measuring the right amount of grams.

Drinking regimen

Water plays a huge role in the life of every body. In order to maintain metabolic processes, it is necessary to drink the daily norm of liquids on a regular basis. At different times of the year, the amount of fluid consumed may vary.

Note that the body gets some fluids from food. For this reason, the recommended amount may deviate more or less with different types of meals.

In addition to the volume, you need to take care about the quality of water: it should be fresh, and you should change it at least once a day, and in summer at least twice a day. You can use filtered or bottled water and place several springs around the apartment at different heights. Don't forget to rinse the bowl regularly as well, as bacteria can multiply in an unwashed container.

How to Measure the Right Portion

The easiest way is to use a kitchen scale. If you don't have one, you can buy a measuring cup at a pet store along with the food. Sometimes it comes free of charge. The scales indicated on it will be different for different manufacturers, so when switching to a new brand it is recommended to change the cup for a new one.

Another way is to weigh directly in the store. Most of them have check scales for selling food by weight. You can ask the salesperson to break up the package into portions or to measure at least one of them. In the second case, when you come home, put pellets into any glass, mark it with an indelible marker and use it as a guide when giving out food.

The amount of food for a cat depends on its physiology and external factors, so the daily amount should be calculated individually.

How much food an adult cat needs per day

It is important to understand that the food allowance is determined through the cat's physical characteristics. Do not be guided by the pet's appetite, because there are finicky pets who turn their noses up at food, and there are good-for-nothings who seem to be forever hungry.

Therefore, when forming your cat's diet, the first thing to do is to weigh the cat and determine its body constitution. If the pet's nutrition is normal, the cat's ribs will be freely palpable rather than "glowing", the waist will be visible at the top, and the sides will not bulge.

It is important to consider the age of the pet. Kittens during active growth and development need more food, relative to body weight, than adult cats.

Babies are fed up to 4-5 times a day in small portions, an adult cat – 1-2 times, and a cat of advanced age is enough to feed once a day, which is associated with decreased appetite and slow metabolism.

You also need to take into account the activity level of the cat. Pets going outdoors need more energy than a cat living in an apartment, and, accordingly, more food.

For your cat to eat properly, be healthy and happy, you need to follow certain rules of feeding. If your cat eats a dry, ready-made diet, it's easy enough to calculate the number of servings needed: The packaging of industrial food indicates the nutritional standards depending on the weight of the animal and its level of activity.

And wet.

If you choose wet food for your pet, then here the nutritional standards will also be indicated on the package. Note that wet food is 85% moisture, so don't worry if your cat won't drink plain water, it will most likely get water from the food itself.
It's also possible to give both dry and wet food, and vets recommend choosing from the same line or brand.

How to calculate the right daily food allowance

The table shows the average feeding norms depending on the cat's current weight and the type of food you have chosen for your cat. These norms can be adhered to if you cannot exactly determine the manufacturer's recommended norms indicated on the package.

For example, your cat weighs 4 kg, so it needs 45-60 grams of food. It is important that this volume is not for a single feeding, but for a day. Therefore, in case you feed your pet twice a day, the indicated amount should be divided into two equal parts.

At first glance, it seems that such a volume of food looks very small, but it is not recommended to increase it. Dry food is a nutritious product, and each pellet contains as many calories as optimally needed by the cat.

Note that the weight of the cat is a determining factor for the food. And it is best to pay attention to the pet's weight. By the way, the weight of adult cats should be measured at intervals of 2-3 months, and based on changes in weight adjust the diet in one direction or another. This way you will immediately notice the changes occurring with the pet, and you can react to them promptly.

How to measure a portion

Measuring out portions at home can be difficult, especially if you're measuring a small amount. Therefore, when buying food at the pet store, ask the consultant for measuring cups, which each manufacturer makes specifically for each type of food. With a measuring cup, you can be sure you are giving your pet enough food.

The importance of a good diet

Owners who don't pay attention to what their kitten is eating will soon encounter serious problems. While the signs of poisoning from expired milk are immediately noticeable, the detrimental effects of many harmful natural products are discovered gradually. Alas, often the symptoms are observed late.

The kitten's kidneys, liver, and other digestive organs are damaged if the diet is not correct.

Animals with unregulated food portions are prone to weight gain, hence the beginning of urolithiasis, diabetes mellitus and other problems. Dental and oral diseases, skin diseases, allergies are serious consequences.

It is very important at an early age, when the kitten's stomach is still growing strong, to lay the foundation for a long and healthy life.

Feeding rates according to age and weight

Until the age of six months, kittens gain 100 grams of weight per week. At six months of age, growth stops and weight continues to increase. However, these figures do not apply to every individual, as there are breed peculiarities. For example, the final weight and size of the Maine Coon is established only at two years of age, and up to this age the pet of this breed grows rather slowly.

Once you know the age and weight of your kitten, it will be easier for the owner to calculate the daily food allowance.

The older the kitten gets, the less energy his body expends, which means that as he grows, the amount of daily food allowance should be reduced. If a baby from 1 month to four months needs 48 grams per 1 kg weight per day, then from 4 months onwards this portion decreases. To accurately calculate the amount of food, you can use the usual measuring cup. It is sold at pet stores. Kittens up to one month of age need mother's milk, and in the absence of her baby shows special ready-made formula – a ready-made cat milk substitute, sold in pet stores, or, as a last resort, goat or cow's milk.

Such a dish not only makes it possible to properly feed the pet, but is also quite a convenient container for pouring dry food. It is more problematic to pour dry pellets from a bag.

Food Amounts

Each individual needs its own amount of food, it is worth considering the daily rate of the animal. How many times a day can you feed a cat, while calculating everything correctly and without any errors?

The owner is obliged to monitor the weight of the pet, its vitality. Thanks to this, the owner will know what the pet is lacking. Extremes are also contraindicated for the moustached friend.

At the next weighing, you'll know if you need to think about changing your pet's diet.

To find out if you're giving enough food, you can simply feel around his torso. If the ribs protrude, you are too thin, and if the ribs are hardly felt, it is a sign of fullness. If the body is normal, the ribs should be slightly covered with fat, but from the side it should not be visible.

While carrying future calves, the weight of the female may grow rapidly, but it is not advisable to let it all go to waste either.

The specimen should drink its own amount of water. The liquid must be filtered.

It is necessary to wash the bowls every day so that pathogenic microflora do not develop there. If these pathogenic bacteria get into the animal's body, they can be very harmful to the animal. They affect the intestines and digestive processes in general. It is important to keep your pet clean in general so that he feels safe.

To be fully confident in the safety of their friend, the owner should learn all the subtleties of rearing, feeding and housing. The main thing is to organize the daily routine. This will avoid difficulties in life and health problems.

Drinking schedule

If fluffy eats well, it does not mean that the needs are fully met. Maintaining a water balance is also an important part of maintenance.

You need to filter it at least once a day, in the summer time of year – at least twice.You also need to change the water to clean water every day.

The type of diet can have a direct effect on a pet's need to drink, for example, if a pet is eating dry food, it needs a lot more moisture than if the fluffy was sitting on straight food.