Feeding our cats is an important part of their daily care. However, the way this food is served is often overlooked. While cats might not need a set schedule like a dog would, they still need some type of feeding plan in order to obtain the appropriate amounts of calories and nutrients. iHeartCats has partnered with Nom Nom, and they have shared this beneficial information with us!
Some cat parents stick to free feeding, others prefer scheduling specific meal times, and some even use a combination of the two. One method isn’t necessarily better than the others as long as your cat is given the nutritional requirements that they need each day. Their age, health conditions, and activity levels can all affect the amount of calories and nutrients that they need. So, it is important to keep this in mind when feeding your cat.
Cat Feeding vs. Dog Feeding
Cats have been domesticated for about 6,000 years now. While this might sound like a large number, dogs have actually been living with humans for twice as long. Because of this, cats will often still show some of their natural instincts as a predator much more than a dog would.
In the wild, cats are intelligent hunters that hunt constantly. Each of their meals in the wild is very small in size, only containing a small portion of the cat’s daily needs. A typical wild cat will eat 8 to 12 small meals throughout the day to add up to that necessary calorie and nutrient count.
Even today, feral cats still use these methods to sustain themselves. Many cat parents feel that feral cats look too skinny, but a study has actually shown that these cats have a healthy weight and a healthy body fat distribution, making their methods of hunting very effective.
Dogs will hunt in packs in the wild, but cats prefer to rely on themselves. They only hunt food to get proper nutrients for themselves, and they don’t let entertainment or social status get in the way of their hunting like a dog might. So, these natural instincts still affect house cats today.
Feeding for Different Life Stages
An important factor in your cat’s nutritional requirements is how old they are. For example, kittens need much more food per pound of body weight than a full-grown cat does. To help with this, serving multiple smaller meals throughout the day might be better than giving them larger, less frequent meals.
Once your cat is about a year old, it is considered an adult, so its feeding schedule will likely change from when it was a kitten. Adult cats can adjust better to irregular feeding schedules, but as long as you give them the amount they need each day, the specific schedule doesn’t matter as much.
When your cat reaches about 7 years of age, that is when they are considered a senior. Senior cats are better with consistency, so as your cat ages, you will want to maintain a regular feeding schedule for them.
Health Issues Related to Feeding Routines
If your cat starts frequently begging for food, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not feeding them enough. Instead, it could actually be a sign of a health problem. Hyperthyroidism and diabetes are two health problems that can cause your cat to want food all the time. So, if you notice this change in your cat’s behavior, you should talk to your vet to find out the underlying cause.
The most common dietary health problem for cats is obesity. Sadly, overweight cats actually outnumber the amount of normal weight cats in the United States today. Sure, a begging cat can be cute and difficult to resist, but you need to stay mindful of their weight. If your cat is overweight, you need to decrease their amount of food each day, increase their exercise, or both.
To help your cat maintain a healthy weight, you can use either feeding schedule type. However, a recent study revealed that scheduled meals seem to have a more positive effect on cats. These regular meals can make it easy for them to lose weight and stay healthy.
As long as you know how much food your cat needs and you give them that amount each day, you should have no problem keeping your furry friend healthy. When calculating their daily amount of calories and nutrients, always be sure to consider treats in those calculations as well because even small treats could throw off your cat’s diet quickly.
Different Food Choices
When choosing a feeding schedule for your cat, certain foods might affect your decision. Raw, fresh, and wet foods all have higher levels of moisture, so they will spoil quicker than dry and semi-moist cat food. So, you might not want your cat to rely on free feeding if the food doesn’t last as long. Always limit the time the moist food sits out, and store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
Most cats seem to find dry food less desirable than raw, fresh, or wet food. While this might seem like a negative thing, it can actually stop your cat from eating more than necessary. So, the food you select for your cat all depends on what you think will benefit them the most.
How Your Routine Affects the Feeding Schedule
Your routine and that of everyone else in your household can actually affect your cat’s diet as well. Feeding your cat properly can be challenging, especially if there are multiple people in your home who take care of it. It’s important to ensure that each person keeps track of how much the cat is being fed to avoid overfeeding. This is also true if you have multiple cats in your household – keeping an eye on each cat’s eating habits is crucial.
If you have a busy schedule, you can adjust your cat’s feeding schedule to fit your routine. For example, a night feeding schedule might work better if you’re busy in the morning. As long as your cat gets the right amount of food each day, the timing is flexible.
It’s essential to find a feeding schedule that works for both you and your cat. Stick with it and make sure it meets your cat’s nutritional needs. If you ever have questions or consider changing the feeding schedule, consult your vet for guidance.
For high-quality cat food, consider Nom Nom, which offers delicious recipes for your feline friend. Their priority is providing nutritious food for your cat’s health and happiness. Check them out today!