Best Cat Feeding Time and Schedule

Are you a new parent of your first kitten? Are you struggling to maintain a feeding routine for your pet? So did I.

I was always concerned if my cat was getting enough food or if I was overfeeding it. I did my research and talked to other friends of mine who already had a cat. Right then and there, I knew how important it was to compile all that information in a structured form. So, here is my take on what an ideal cat feeding schedule should look like.

Here, I will discuss what things you will need to keep in mind while preparing a feeding schedule, what factors influence that schedule, and a comprehensive cat feeding guide. Let’s take a peek.

Important Aspects to Remember about Cats

To know exactly how much you should feed your cat, first, you need to know its habits and physical needs. This will help you decide on the ideal feeding schedule for your cat. Here are some factors you should know:

• Cats are habitual creatures, and a consistent routine makes them feel secure. 
• Most cats get hungry again after 8 - 10 hours of their last meal. 
• Sudden appetite loss in cats clearly indicates that your pet is ill.
• The food requirement between kittens and adult cats is hugely different. The kitten feeding guide is completely different from adult cats.
• Cats can be picky about what they eat. You might need to mix dry and wet food, occasionally change food brands, and adjust according to your pet’s habits.
• A cat’s weight is the primary determining factor of how much you should feed your cat and at what interval.

With this in mind, you can start building your schedule. Observe your cat, learn about its personality, and weigh it. Then, take your pen and paper and note down all the criteria for your cat. 

Factors Influencing Your Cat’s Feeding Schedule

As I mentioned in the earlier section, your cat’s weight is the primary deciding factor in creating a feeding schedule. However, that is not the only factor, as you will need to consider the following elements as well:

• Cat’s Age: Kittens require more food per pound and specialized food, which is different from that of adult cats. Therefore, the kitten feeding guide and adult cat feeding schedule are not interchangeable. Cats younger than 6 months are considered kittens and will have to be on formula.

• Health Conditions: If your pet kitty has any specific health conditions, it might need special diets or a feeding schedule. For example, if your cat is regularly injected with insulin for its diabetic condition, veterinarians recommend feeding it around that time.

• Food Preferences: Some cats prefer dry food, some prefer wet, and some prefer to have a combination of dry and wet food. Give your cat a taste of each one and see what they like most.

• Cat Breed: Different cat breeds have different growth rates. Some can weigh 20 lbs without being obese, and some might be considered obese if they weigh 10 lbs. So, know the breed of your cat and research how much it might grow.

• Activity Levels: If your cat is energetic, it will get hungry more frequently, while quiet, shy, and relaxed cats might need less food.

• Your Schedule: It is impossible for you to cater to your cat 24/7. So, you need to create a routine for your cat that is convenient to your schedule.

• Pregnancy and Nursing: If you have a female cat which is pregnant, it needs more feeding than before. If possible, feed it multiple times throughout the day.

Other than these, your cat’s dietary needs, environmental changes, and veterinarian’s advice are important deciding factors when creating a schedule for your beloved pet.

Creating a Cat Feeding Schedule

As you now know the elements associated with your cat’s feeding, you can start creating a schedule. Some cat parents are more aligned with free-feeding, meaning keeping food available all the time to their cats; this system does have its drawbacks, especially if your cat does not self-regulate the amount of food it consumes. 

On the other hand, scheduled feeding helps you regulate the portion you give to your pet, allowing you to support a healthy weight. This way, you can spot any irregularities in your cat’s feeding routine and take immediate action.

While creating a schedule, keep these factors in mind:

Feeding Frequency

Depending on the food portion and type a cat is taking at one time, it might get hungry within 8 - 10 hours. Therefore, if you develop a routine to feed your cat twice a day, that is a very reasonable schedule.

However, as cats have short digestive systems, they might need to eat multiple times a day. If you have scheduled to feed your pet twice a day, you should also give it some treats or snacks to munch between the feeding times.

Being a crepuscular creature, cats are very active during twilight hours (i.e. dusk and dawn). Wild cats usually hunt during those times as their natural instinct. You can feed your pet around that time if your schedule allows.

On the other hand, you can schedule feeding your cat 5 -6 times a day at regular intervals. Divide the number of feeding times by how many hours you are available to your cat. You will also have to regulate the food portions accordingly.

Type of Food

Cats can eat both wet and dry food. Depending on the taste of your cat and your convenience, you can choose any of them. Also, you can feed your cat a combination of wet and dry food to help the cat get all the essential nutrients.

For the first meal of your cat's day, you start by filling your pet's feeding bowl with wet food and then top it up with dry ones. Thus, your cat will not wolf down the food too fast. You can give your cat dry kibbles now and then if it comes meowing towards you.

For the last meal of the day, put extra dry food in the cat’s bowl. So, it can graze from time to time whenever it feels hungry without disturbing you. 

While dry cat food lasts longer, wet food gets ruined quickly. If there is leftover wet food in your cat’s bowl, cast it away after 24 hours. Arrange for separate water bowls or water fountains so your pet can drink plenty of water whenever it needs. 

Cat Breeds

Depending on your cat’s breed, you will have to adjust your cat’s food quantity. Some cat breeds are smaller, and some are huge. Thus, when you are preparing meals and treats for your pet, make sure you are not giving it more food than it needs.

Also, different cats have different personalities. Some are timid, while some are very active. If your cat runs around the house often and acts energetic, it will require more food than a timid cat. 

According to the abovementioned factors, here is a chart that should help you generate an effective feeding schedule for your cat:

This chart shows how much dry or wet food your cat needs daily, depending on its weight. Divide the food quantity by the feeding frequency to determine the portion you give to your cat each time. 

For example, if your cat weighs 14 lbs and you feed it twice a day, give it 1.5 oz dry food or 5 oz wet food each time. You can also mix 0.75 oz dry food with 2.5 oz wet food, so your cat delivers maximum nutrients. If your cat is gaining too much weight, reduce the portion size accordingly.

Final Words

As a cat parent, you need to monitor your pet’s feeding schedule to keep it healthy and thriving. Be consistent in your routine, and check your cat’s weight every other week. This will help you determine whether your pet is getting the correct amount of food. Also, if your cat is losing appetite due to underlying health conditions, you can detect it sooner rather than later. 

Additionally, it is important to make sure your cat is getting all the nutrients and vitamins from its diet. Keep your cat’s water bowl clean so it doesn’t suffer from dehydration. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to consult your vet.

If you have lost your pet or have found a stray one, you can effectively use PawMaw to find the pet’s home. Our engaged audience will be more than happy to assist you in this manner.

Do tell us what your pet’s feeding schedule is in the comments.

Read the nutrition labels and caloric content on cat food packaging. With that information, your cat’s feeding portion can be easily regulated.