How often to feed the cat?
Cats are constantly on the hunt for prey in the wild. They eat at least 15 mice every day. But how do you properly feed a cat that doesn't look for its own food?
How often should you feed a cat?
Cats are predators and have a relatively short intestine. This means they don't have to eat all day long. A free-roaming cat catches many small animals throughout the day, which it then eats entirely. Of course, the amount of food can vary, but a cat in the wild kills at least 15 small animals every day.
This eating behavior should be taken into account when giving food. It is best to give the cat a smaller portion several times a day, which is approximately the same volume as a mouse. For an adult cat, three meals per day are recommended. Young cats need something more often feed, at least five to six times throughout the day.
How much time should there be between meals?
Since the cat is fed several times a day, you should allow a few hours between feedings. For example, the minimum three meals for an adult cat can be served in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening. The phases without food correspond to the condition that a cat would be exposed to in the wild. This gives the cat enough time to digest. It's best to always serve meals at similar times, as cats are creatures of habit.
In order to challenge the cat in a playful way while eating, you can use intelligence toys such as food balls or Fumbetter. This way the cat doesn't miss out on swallowing everything at once.
When is the right time for wet food and dry food?
You can give your cat both wet food and dry food. This means the diet is more varied. Particularly when giving dry food, you should pay attention to providing additional liquid. Cats already drink relatively little water.
Cats are predators, which means that in the wild they only feed on...
If you feed wet food, you should only give small portions. Because this food goes bad quickly if it sits around for a long time - especially in warm temperatures. You can also feed fresh meat, but in moderation. In this case, there should be a large gap of at least 6 hours between feeding times.
This is important to keep in mind when it comes to the amount of food
Cats need solid food from the age of four weeks; before that they only receive mother's milk. For an adult cat, the amount of food needed depends on the cat's age, size and activity level. On average, a cat needs 300 grams of wet food every day; dry food requires a lot less.
The Animal Welfare Association suggests the following formula for calculating food for cats:
- 1.4 x (body weight in kg x 30) + 70
The result is the number of calories the cat needs every day. The quantities on food packaging provide another clue.
When it comes to eating, cats follow instinct rather than hunger. Because in the wild they have to constantly be looking for prey in order to survive. This means they would eat everything straight away if times were tighter later. This instinct is still present in the cat, even when it is fed.
So if your cat looks like it's looking for food, that doesn't necessarily mean it's very hungry. Maybe she also needs something to do or attention. So don't give your cat unlimited food, otherwise it could become overweight.
