The exception would be larger breed cats, such as the Maine Coon, which do not reach adult maturity until they are 18 months to two years of age. This is obviously a more flexible cat feeding schedule for you and your cat and if it works for your cat, it can work better for folks who are gone most of the day. Our feeding guide is worked out for the average cat of the weight shown but your cat could differ substantially from average – requirements vary considerably between cats of the same weight. Feeding an adult cat at regular times provides the security and predictability of a routine. Feeding your cat once a day is fine as long as it is healthy and doesn’t have any diseases that require a different feeding schedule. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When young cats are old enough (around 8 weeks old) they start to eat food on their own whilst simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother. Give them plenty of clean, fresh water in a large metal or ceramic bowl. The type of feeding plan you choose will depend on many factors, such as the number of cats in your home, and the age and health status of your cats. The pet foods they carry We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The Best Cat Feeding Schedule for Your Healthy Cat and You When to Feed Your Cat. Leave out dry food in the morning, feed him wet food around dinner and leave some dry food for the night. Most cats will eat their main meals at dawn and dusk, when they would normally be hunting and catching prey in the wild, so those are often the best times to feed them. anywhere!). You can also calculate the amount of food When you’re figuring out a feeding schedule for your cat, you should think about its age, health, and personal preferences, as well as your own schedule. The material presented in this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. two-meal-a-day routine is more natural for your cat, as this is closer Coming up with (and sticking to) a feeding schedule for your cat can help ensure it is happy and healthy. It's also tempting to clean the food bowl a bit less often when you Adult Cat (0.8 * RER) MER (for BCS 4 & 5) Intact Cat (1.2 * RER) Neutered Cat (1.0 * RER) RER = Resting Energy Requirement (70 * body weight (or ideal body weight) in kg^0.75) MER = Maintenance Energy Requirement (RER * appropriate K-value based on species/neuter status) To read more, click here. sample so you can make sure your cat or kitten likes the taste. If you choose to have set mealtimes for your cat feeding schedule, your adult cat should have two cat food meals per day, morning and evening. Visual Weight Chart for Cats. feline nutrition. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. A feeding routine helps your cat cope when there are changes in the household (e.g., a child moves away to college, a new baby arrives, or a vacation during which a house-sitter is in charge). Kitten growth chart newborn kitten development 1-day old kitten. Obesity is quite common in cats and can contribute to a shorter life span, so always make sure you’re feeding your pet the correct amount of food. How to Calculate How Much Your Cat Can Eat Per Day. Moving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period. My cat is six months old, but he eats whenever he wants. food bowl frequently with hot water and soap. If so, try feeding it small meals more often throughout the day. They believe the It might help you remember to feed your cat at the same time every day if you stick to a ritual. But sometimes, your cat's personality might dictate whether you can leave food out or not. You can set it for the time you want your cat to eat. Follow the instructions on the food’s packaging for how much to feed and how often; Don’t feed your cat a vegetarian or vegan diet. only natural products using top ingredients. Use the Average Weight row as a guide to judge if your kitten is an appropriate weight. To cater to each cat's individual preferences, ROYAL CANIN® Mother & Babycat is also available as dry food, in a tasty and crunchy kibble. If you are … free to concentrate on other organs. It is difficult to create a chart that has exact weights because the healthy weight for a cat can vary with the size, sex, age and breed. Always have fresh water available for your cat. These instructions will be broken down into different amounts depending on your cat’s age and weight. You can always use Google timer. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to use a timed cat feeder, keep reading! As a general rule, start by using the feeding instructions on the back of the cat food packet as a guide to how much to feed your cat. If your grazing cat starts to put on undesired weight, try to You can How Much To Feed a Cat Chart The chart below presents average serving sizes based on a cat’s weight and other factors. Born blind, deaf, and unable to regulate body temperature. 5/5 (very overweight): cannot feel ribs, no narrowing waist behind ribs, heavy fat deposits on lower back, face, and limbs. You can weigh your cat at your veterinarian’s office or at home. If you have multiple cats and one of them tends not to eat as soon as you put food out, it might help to feed your cats in different rooms. You should do the same if you are raising an orphan without a mother cat to take care of the little one. Feed your cat a complete food that’s suitable for their life stage, eg kitten, adult or senior cat – the food packaging will advise which life stage it is aimed at. The following chart can help you assess your pet. What should I do? Keep in mind these are average weights and your cat may be smaller or larger depending on the breed. cat's food fresh and avoid ants or other pests. Consult your vet if you are having trouble figuring out a feeding schedule that works for both you and your cat. Feeding too little food can deprive your cat of necessary energy and feeding too much can result in obesity. Over-feeding your cat can be harmful to its health, so make sure you’re feeding your cat the right amount of food throughout the day. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. The age is perfect to completely remove any form of milk diet and solely depend upon the wet food diet along with the dry food diet as well. This will help train your cat to eat its food as soon as it is put out, which will help keep it on a consistent schedule. It is not intended to replace your veterinarian's advice. Determining When to Feed Your Cat Pick a time that is convenient for you and your family. veterinarian about the right quantity of food for your cat, especially 5 important things about feeding your cat. This will help keep your Even though you find feeding instructions on almost every bag of cat food you can buy, the instructions are useless. day allows your cat to fully digest her food, then her blood supply is How to Plan a Feeding Schedule for Your Cat, http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/mistakes-people-make-feeding-cats, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Only Natural Pet Store One brand may tell you to feed your cat 1/2 cup twice daily, while another recommends 1/4 cup three times daily. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Weigh your cat. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Plan-a-Feeding-Schedule-for-Your-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plan-a-Feeding-Schedule-for-Your-Cat-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Plan-a-Feeding-Schedule-for-Your-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/aid8585151-v4-728px-Plan-a-Feeding-Schedule-for-Your-Cat-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"