The average life span of a domestic cat is 13 years. Competent pet care, balanced nutrition, and trips to the veterinarian extend this indicator to 18-20 years. The cat’s stomach is not arranged in the same way as in humans. You can not give your pet food from the table and ignore the norms of feeding. Read the full article to know how much to feed your cat.
Feeding Frequency
In the feline world, there are both picks that turn your nose off food and gluttons that require a new portion every 2 hours. When forming a diet, you should not focus on the pet’s appetite. Otherwise, you may encounter the problem of obesity. It is necessary to follow the established norms of feeding strictly. The amount of feed consumed depends on the following factors:
- Age;
- Health status;
- Weight;
- Breed.
Kittens up to 6 months of age require more food (relative to body weight) for growth and development than adult cats. Feed the babies 3-4 times a day in small portions. Adolescents older than six months are given food 2-3 times a day and an adult cat 1-2 times a day. With the onset of old age, the appetite in cats decreases, which is associated with a slowdown in metabolism and a deterioration in the condition of teeth and gums. A cat of 7 years and older needs one-time meals.
The above describes healthy animals. Diseases and problems with well-being make adjustments to the diet. Appetite worsens in cats with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. No need to force a pet to eat. First, you need to show it to the vet. Some breeds require more food due to the large size of the body or increased mobility. These include British and Scottish, Maine Coon, and Ragdoll.
After sterilization (castration), the metabolism of the pet slows down. He becomes prone to gaining weight. The sterilized cat should be fed less frequently or in small portions. If you are going to give her food, choose the brands of the diet line. A pregnant and recently born cat, on the other hand, is fed more and more often because the body needs a lot of nutrients.
Dry Feed
Most hosts provide dry pet food for cats. This type of food has several advantages.
- Balanced in composition. Pressed granules contain the necessary meat proteins, vitamins, trace elements, amino acids, and taurine. When compiling a diet from natural food yourself, problems can arise.
- Individual approach. On the shelves of pet stores, there are a variety of lines: diet for kittens, cats with sensitive digestion, sterilized, and patients with tartar.
- Simplicity in calculation. The package indicates the recommended frequency of feeding and the amount of food, depending on the age and weight of the pet.
- Long shelf life.
- Save time on the host.
Do not mix dry food with natural products. For the digestion of raw meat (offal, fish) and pellets, the body secretes various enzymes. Their combination will increase the load on the liver and pancreas. Mixing balanced granules with natural products will lead to an excess of some substances and a lack of others. Make sure that the cat has access to clean drinking water because dry food does not contain liquid. Some pets prefer to drink from wide and deep bowls. Change the water every day. Do not transfer the pet abruptly from one type of dry granules to another.
Wet Feed
Wet foods have approximately the same composition as dry foods, plus they contain water. Suitable for pets who are forbidden to eat dry granules for health reasons (urolithiasis, tartar) and cats that are not inclined to drink plenty of fluids. A significant minus is a high price.
Wet feeding rules:
- You can only combine with dry food of the same line, observing the dosages indicated on the packages.
- Unfinished granules should not be stored at room temperature. They should be placed in tightly closed containers and put in the refrigerator.
How many times a day should you feed a cat with wet food? The general rule is 1-2 times a day. In the morning, you can give the cat a portion of dry food, and in the evening – wet. Kittens are fed 3-4 times a day.
Organic Products
Super-premium feeds are more expensive than meat, and there is no guarantee that you will buy quality pellets. To be calm about the health of a cat, you need to choose a natural type of feeding and take time to study suitable products. The basis of the diet is meat protein (at least 50%, better – 75%). It is contained in the following products:
- Beef;
- Veal;
- Turkey;
- A hen;
- Offal (liver, kidneys, ventricles, lungs);
- Rabbit.
It is better to give the meat in raw form in small pieces, previously freezing. Boil offal. Pork is not suitable, as it is too fat. The meat is given to the pet every day. You need to be careful with fish. If you offer such a cat product, then no more than one time in 2 weeks, the only sea, in boiled form, without bones. Frequent use of fish leads to urolithiasis; river species are teeming with worms.
Boiled offal and meat are mixed with cereals. Raw meat is given in a separate reception, along with cereals, suitable rice, buckwheat, and oats. The pet’s stomach poorly digests corn, wheat, and barley, as they contain gluten. Cereals offer a pet 2-3 times a week.
Additionally, the cat is given the following products:
- Quail eggs (1 time per week);
- Cottage cheese (2-3 times a week);
- Sour milk drinks ( kefir, sour cream, natural yoghurt, cream). If there are no digestive disorders, they can be offered every day;
- Vegetables: carrots, zucchini, beets, cabbage, cucumbers, broccoli (every day);
- Sprouted oats grass (every day).
With natural feeding, vitamin-mineral complexes for cats are included in the diet. The veterinarian selects the exact dosage and frequency of admission.
How Many Times a day Should you Feed a cat with Natural Products?
A healthy adult pet will have 2-3 meals. Kittens are fed more often in small portions. The daily weight of food consumed by an adult cat is 5% by weight. At the same time, at least 50% should be accounted for by meat and offal. They are supplemented either with cereals with vegetables or dairy products. More detailed indicators in grams are given in the table below. For kittens, the daily portion is divided into 4-6 receptions, depending on age.
Dr. Jenifer Miona is a highly skilled and compassionate veterinarian based in Ireland. With a passion for animal health and wellbeing, she has dedicated her career to providing the highest standard of veterinary care to pets and their families.
After completing her veterinary degree at the University of Dublin, Dr. Miona went on to specialize in small animal medicine. She has since gained extensive experience in all areas of veterinary care, including routine check-ups, surgical procedures, and emergency treatments.
In her clinic, Dr. Miona is known for her gentle and compassionate approach to patient care. She takes the time to listen to the concerns of pet owners and develops personalized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each animal.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Miona is active in the veterinary community and stays up-to-date with the latest advances in veterinary medicine through ongoing education and professional development. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Irish Veterinary Association and the European College of Small Animal Medicine.
Outside of her work as a veterinarian, Dr. Miona is an avid animal lover and enjoys spending time with her own pets. She also volunteers at local animal shelters and is committed to promoting animal welfare through community outreach and education.
