How many times a day should I feed my cat? A complete guide according to its age and needs, https://www.notigatos.es/cuantas-veces-al-dia-le-doy-de-comer-a-mi-gato/,www.notigatos.es,true,407,6,
Just as important as giving our beloved friend water is making sure he eats daily, but if it's the first time we've lived with one, we're probably wondering how many times a day we should feed our cat , right?
For proper development and growth, we must feed our pets high-quality food several times a day . But how many times exactly, and how do we adjust this to their age, weight, lifestyle, and food preferences?
The cat's natural behavior and why it eats so often
Until about ten thousand years ago, when cats had not yet come into contact with humans, they behaved as they are: nocturnal predators . This means they were active at night, when their prey was most vulnerable. However, being small themselves, they also had many enemies, so they ate a little whenever they could . This behavior persists to this day.
In the wild, a hunting cat can catch between 10 and 20 small prey items a day , each with few calories, which translates into many small meals. Therefore, its digestive system is adapted to ingest small, frequent portions , rather than two very large meals as humans might.
Of course, living indoors means they don't have to worry about anything, but their eating habits haven't changed much. They still eat small amounts at a time. That's why it's highly advisable to leave their food bowl full , as they usually know (exceptions would be those cats who love to eat, like one of mine 😉) how much to put in their mouths.
It should also be noted that cats eat to meet their energy needs : a very active animal may need more calories and spread them over more meals, while a very calm or neutered cat will need less food and somewhat stricter control.
Leaving food out all the time or serving it in portions: which is better
At home we can basically choose between two forms of feeding:
- Feeding ad libitum (food always available).
- Controlled feeding (measured portions at specific times).
Ad libitum feeding involves leaving dry food available at all times and letting the cat control the amount and frequency of its meals. This approach closely resembles their natural eating behavior and is very convenient for humans. Many cats are able to self-regulate very well and maintain a stable weight this way, especially if they are active.
But it doesn't always work. Some cats, especially neutered, sedentary, or very greedy ones , tend to eat more than they need, increasing the risk of overweight and obesity . This system can also be tricky to use in multi-cat households, because one cat might eat more than the others without us noticing.
Therefore, in many cases, controlled feeding is better : we offer a specific daily amount and divide it into several meals. In this way:
- We have better control how much does he really eat?.
- We can adjust the portion if he is too thin or has a few extra kilos.
- It is easier detect changes in appetitewhich sometimes indicate health problems.
Now, for those who want to better control their pet's weight and who also have plenty of time to dedicate to it, they can feed it about 5 times a day . How much? To know exactly, you have to divide the daily amount by the number of feedings . For example, if the total amount is 200 grams, you divide 200 by 5, which gives you 40. So, you would have to give it five 40-gram portions throughout the day.
How many times should a cat eat according to its age?
Age is one of the factors that most influences both the quantity and frequency of meals. Broadly speaking, we can follow these general guidelines (always assuming a healthy cat of normal weight) :
- Kittens from 2 to 3 months: about 5 feedings a day, with food specifically for puppies and, if needed, some special milk for kittens.
- Kittens from 3 to 5 months: it can be reduced to about 4 servings a day, slightly increasing the amount per serving.
- Kittens from 5 months oldThe usual amount is 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
- Healthy adult cat: Between 2 and 3 meals a day are usually sufficient, always respecting the total recommended daily portion.
- adult cat neuteredIt is advisable to maintain 2-3 feedings but being very careful with the amount, as their metabolism slows down and they tend to gain weight.
- Senior cat: usually maintains the same number of doses (2-3 per day), although some prefer more meals but very small ones throughout the day.
More important than the exact time is that the cat has a stable routine : that it knows more or less when it will eat and how much food it will be offered. Sudden changes in schedule or amount can cause stress and food anxiety in some felines.
How much food to give your cat
In addition to the number of times your child eats, it's essential to know their total daily food needs. This amount depends on several factors:
- Weight and size of the cat.
- Activity level (very active or sedentary).
- If it is sterilized o no.
- Feed type (dry food, wet food, homemade or mixed diet).
As a general guideline:
- An adult cat of about 4 kg usually needs between 200 and 250 kilocalories per day.
- In dry feed, that usually translates to about 50-70 g daily for an average cat of 4-5 kg, divided into 2-3 feedings.
- In wet food, it usually ranges around 150-200 g daily, also divided into several shots.
If we combine dry and wet food (mixed feeding), we'll need to proportionally reduce the amount of each. For example, if we give 100g of wet food, the dry food portion can be reduced to about 25-30g per day, always adjusting it to the manufacturer's instructions and how our cat is doing.
In the case of neutered cats, who tend to move less and eat a little more than they need, it is usually recommended to reduce the portion by around 20-30% compared to an unneutered cat of the same weight, or to use a specific food for neutered cats with fewer calories.
How to feed an orphaned or very young kitten
A separate issue is feeding an orphaned kitten . During the first month of life, it should be bottle-fed every 2-3 hours . From the fifth week onwards, it should be introduced to wet kitten food. You can find more information here , and this other link explains what a one-month-old kitten eats.
In very young nursing kittens, especially newborns, feedings should be even more frequent: often every hour and a half or two hours , always following the instructions for the specific kitten formula. This is essential.
- Use special milk for kittensnever cow's milk.
- Heat the baby bottle to a lukewarm temperaturenot boiling.
- Giving the bottle with the baby in natural position, with the belly facing down.
- Stimulate the ano-genital area after each feeding so that it pees and poops, just like its mother would.
As the puppy grows, it eats more at each feeding but needs fewer feedings per day . Around two months old, they begin to wean, and we can gradually introduce more wet food specifically formulated for kittens, continuing to offer milk for a while until they tolerate solid food well.
Signs that your cat is eating well (or not)
Even when following charts and recommendations, every cat is unique. Some signs that the diet and feeding frequency are appropriate include:
- Stable weight and according to their size and breed.
- shiny fur and without excessive drop.
- Good energy level, without apathy or continuous hyperactivity.
- Normal digestionwith well-formed stools and no frequent vomiting.
On the other hand, if you notice that your pet loses its appetite , gains weight very quickly, loses weight for no reason, or is obsessed with food, it is important to review both the daily amount and the number of feedings and consult with your veterinarian.
A well-fed cat, with meal frequency adapted to its age and lifestyle , will have more energy to play, a stronger immune system, and a much greater chance of enjoying a long and healthy life, so it's worth taking the time to adjust its feeding routine.
I hope it has been useful to you 