So, here's the approximate info which refers to the energy needs of a typical healthy adult cat: If the cat weighs 1 kg, they should eat 100 kilocalories a day. Feeding your feline companion isn’t overly complicated, but it is based on many variables, including the age of your cat, whether you’re feeding wet or dry food, and your cat’s activity level. However, the basic rules we’ve laid out are there to help you observe your cat’s nourishment needs. The number of calories is determined primarily by the weight of your cat. Latter on, you will probably be more interested in a, Cat Food Ingredients - What You Should Know, Cats are living beings, and as such, their eating schedule can be regulated and influenced with little harm to their health. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. Although we’ve been talking only about industrially processed food so far, you should know that if you have the time, you can also prepare healthy, complete meals for your favorite pair of paws. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. While you are looking at the label, make sure your cat’s current food is providing her with high-quality, natural ingredients and balanced nutrition. Fortunately, there are more categories of cats than just average, obese and ill. For instance, you may be in the position to want to know what to feed a pregnant cat. There’s no rule regarding the proportion of wet or dry food in a mixed diet. But if she rarely drinks or asks for water, you must take into consideration that dry food contains just about 6% – 10% water, and the rest will have to be provided some way or another. Also, take note that the amount listed is "per day," not "per meal." The question that we should address as cat owners is not. There’s no surprise that kitten food has the main purpose of feeding kittens, as they have extremely high needs when it comes to the food content. Feed him too much, and he'll get fat. This way, eating takes up more time, helping the digestion process run more smoothly, and making your cat feel full after eating less food, leaving room for her other siblings to eat as well, or making her divide her meal into more servings in a natural way. Your cat's weight can give you a basic guideline of how much to feed. The first months of your cat's life are crucial for its development and growth, that is why this is the … If these don't make a positive change, it may be time to consider behavioral causes and/or visit your veterinarian. To keep in tip-top condition, your cat’s diet needs the right balance of proteins, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. On a less positive note, the servings are available in one tray, so a dispenser is fit for a one-cat household. As most of the wet food brands offer multiple choices of ingredients and tastes, it is important to try and pay attention to your cat’s preferences, as she will probably adjust her feeding quantity based on how yummy she finds the food you’ve chosen. Some people feed their kitties twice a day, and might or might not need to add a supplement feeding during the day; it all depends on the food, its quality and its portions. While it would take a long research to come up with the perfect homemade diet, we think it is worth both the time and the effort. Learn how your comment data is processed. The answer isn’t very short, as there are some factors to consider in setting your cat’s feeding schedule and menu. The answer of «how many times a day should I feed my cat?” depends on what you feed your cat, the kind and the quality of food determine how much and when to feed a cat. A food dispenser can be set to release a particular amount of kibble at particular times during the day and could come in really handy if your cat is left alone a lot. As most cat owners eventually opt for a combination of the two, we will take a look at all the three possibilities, and talk about the quantities and serving methods for each of them. The Merck manual for veterinarians teaches us the formula to determine the number of kcal a cat needs every day. You should reward this behavior with attention such as petting or play, but feed your cat later. The main risk here is overfeeding your cat if she has free access to it, as she might not stop herself from eating even though she’s reached a state of repletion. Pingback: Can my cat eat dog food? If your cat only eats at meal time, he will need more food than a cat that gets treats throughout the day. He or she can rule out any health disorders that might be causing, or might have developed as a result of your pet’s weight, and can put together a plan that suits your cat’s particular needs. Latter on, you will probably be more interested in a kitten feeding guide. And the wet food can says give your cat 1 can of wet food for every 6 – 8 pounds of your cat’s weight. If your schedule is too hectic to allow you to feed your cat on a. or a cat food automatic dispenser, that come in multiple shapes, colors and sizes. Required fields are marked *. From 2 months to 3 months; You will see some progression on kittens feeding when they finally reach at least 10 weeks. of kg]∧0.75. Cats require Taurine, an amino acid that is found only in animal based protein. How many meals should my cat eat each day? - The Dogs Magazine, Best cat food for cats with urinary tract problems. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to how much cat food your cat needs. How Much Dry Food Should I Feed My Cat Canned cat food is typically about 70 to 80 percent water, and can be fed in addition to or instead of dry. I give the cats ¼ cup of wet food per day. Feeding an overweight cat in a manageable way can be accomplished by a combination of choosing the right food and right schedule for meals. Although there are some guidelines for the energy requirements of obese cats, the matter is still delicate, and should be addressed to a veterinarian. Check the pet food aisle at your local supermarket, and you'll find dozens of varieties of food to entice your cat. When trying to determine how much wet food you can feed your cat, the best method is to consider the number of calories that are necessary to sustain your cat’s energy. If your cat is already at her ideal weight, offer an amount that falls in the middle of the recommended range. But be aware that the ranges are pretty large to accommodate the needs of different individuals within a certain weight range. A cat that refuses to eat can develop serious medical problems. ... 2 kg, they should ingest 160 kilocalories. Below you’ll find a few basic rules that make up a cat feeding guide. As you’ll find out, every daily feeding guide for cats will talk about the two main categories of nourishment you can find on the market: wet and dry food. Of course, what you feed is just as important as how much you feed. As a cat parent, you may be wondering if you’re feeding your cat the right amount of food – is it too much or too little? Cats are living beings, and as such, their eating schedule can be regulated and influenced with little harm to their health. If you’ve been recently introduced to the science of being owned by a cat, one of the first questions you’ve asked yourself was probably how much to feed a cat in order to keep her healthy and happy? That’s a question best answered by a professional, though recommendations range between 24 to 35 calories a day per pound, to keep cats at a normal, healthy weight. Every two weeks or so, reassess your cat’s body condition and adjust how much food you offer accordingly. However, if you are gone for long periods of time, you can’t protect your cat from the nasty effects of eating too quickly or too much at a time. How much should I be feeding my 2 year old 17 pound cat I have him on the science diet light he was eating out of a aromatic feeder but was cheating it and getting more then he should any help on how much to feed him a day to get him to slim down thanks much. If your cat needs to gain or lose a lot of weight, talk to your veterinarian. - The Dogs Magazine, Your email address will not be published. The bottom line. The Merck manual for veterinarians teaches us the formula to determine the number of kcal a cat needs every day. Feeding your cat a mix of dry kibble and canned food also affects the amount you should give. As most cat owners eventually opt for a combination of the two, we will take a look at all the three possibilities, and talk about the quantities and serving methods for each of them. The amount and frequency of meals depends on your cat's age, health and preference. The result of this operation, X, will then have to multiplied either by 1.2 if your cat is neutered, or by 1.4 if she is intact. First, you need to know the weight of your cat in kilograms, and you get that by multiplying the number of pounds with 0.4536. The only thing you need to check is the kcal/cup content of the chosen brand, and then do the simple math by using the formula above. A lean, muscular cat with large bones may weigh 15 pounds and be at a healthy weight. MyFelineBuddy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program that is developed to provide the means for sites to earn fees by linking and advertising to Amazon.com. Feline Nutrition How Much to Feed Calculator Recommended daily feeding amount at 2, 3 or 4 % of the cat’s ideal body weight Cat’s ideal weight lb Daily feeding amount at 2% oz Daily feeding amount at 3% oz Daily feeding amount at 4% oz We suggest a visit to your veterinarian, who can give you more detailed and accurate information on what meals you can prepare for your cat. One brand may tell you to feed your cat 1/2 cup twice daily, while another recommends 1/4 cup three times daily. How much a cat needs to eat depends on a variety of factors, including size, age, metabolic rate, the amount it exercises, and even environmental temperatures. Reply There are numerous answers to this questions. Once you have found the amount that maintains your cat’s ideal body condition (i.e., not too thin, not too fat), you can use monthly weigh-ins in addition to body condition scoring to make small adjustments to how much you are offering to keep her right where she needs to be. Even though there are cases where a cat gains too much fat during her pregnancy, the bigger danger appears when she is malnourished. However, it's essential to determine your cat's body condition. Cat Feeding Guide – How Much Should I Feed My Cat and What Can She Eat. However, it is not a subject to treat lightly, as there are a lot of natural ingredients, such as chocolate, onions, raisins and so on that have a known negative effect on cats health. Cats are known for their lack of interest – to put it mildly – in water, and that’s something that is also available when it comes to their water intake. 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