Depending on the activity level of the cat, the daily calorie requirement will vary. The number of calories is determined primarily by the weight of your cat. The best indication is the changes in weight. 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. In a diet consisting of kibble, raw food is necessary to provide water to the cat. According to nutrition experts, the daily calorie requirement of an adult cat which is active, healthy, and weight 10-lb is 270-320 calories. Cat Feeding Guide – How Much Should I Feed My Cat and What Can She Eat. 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. These adhering strictly to the previous schedule, food, and quantity which the cat is familiar with. This is a result of the environment in which they evolved. That is why you find dry food packaged in … This means that cats excrete grains the same way they ingest them. Compared to dogs, the diet of an adult cat usually has three times the protein content. Underfeeding a pregnant cat can lead to underdeveloped kittens and even abortion. This is according to a study by Debra Zoran, who is a veterinarian and also a professor at Texas A&M University. The Merck manual for veterinarians teaches us the formula to determine the number of kcal a cat needs every day. Temperature matters As a hunter, cats prefer food that is close … On to the big question, what range does your cat fall in? Be careful, though, serving a cat food that’s too cold can lead to health issues, so be sure to let the food reach room temperature before you serve it. A good quality cat food should contain all the right proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and carbohydrates to make a well-balanced diet for your cat. The answer isn’t very short, as there are some factors to consider in setting your cat’s feeding schedule and menu. One of the first questions I had about what to feed my cats was whether cats should be fed dry food or wet food. Using a cup to weigh the cat food is much easier with wet food. Reply. On the other hand, if your cat doesn’t like that particular wet food, she will probably not eat as much as it would be necessary and, in case she’s not an indoor cat, try and complete her diet by hunting or even going through trash cans or other people’s porches. This is why free feeding your pregnant cat is the best way to go. 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, in order to keep her healthy and happy? A range of feeding amount will be available. "Growing kittens up to six months of age may require three meals a day," says Francis Kallfelz, DVM, Ph.D., board certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and James Law professor of nutrition at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this case, you also have to ensure the kibble contains a minimum of 5% protein while also being grain-free. Cat Food Portions Matter This fatty acid can be added as a supplement to the cat food. From 8 weeks (after weaning) to 4 months of age, it is necessary to give young cats 5 servings of food a day, with 5 grams of dry or moist food per serving.Remember that these animals do not usually drink a lot of water, so you should alternate the dry feed with wet food to supplement this lack of fluid. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. So How Much Should I Be Feeding? You can also get answers to any question on your mind. This is after getting advice from your veterinarian and also carefully observing your cat. Knowing how much to feed your cat each day can be tricky. Monitor your cat’s weight with regular weigh-ins and adjust the bodyweight percentage you feed your cat accordingly. How Much Raw Food We Feed. All you need to do is to serve each food as a separate meal for the cat. The evolution of the indoor cat can be traced back to the wildcats which lived in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Below are some approximate values which you should serve an average cat, usually 4 kg or 8.8 lbs of body weight: It is possible to use different foods for your cat. Determining what to feed your cat is quite important in answering the basic question, “How much should I feed my cat?” A healthy cat diet is largely made up of animal proteins rather than plant proteins. This amount will ensure they have a perfect balance of essential vitamins, minerals and oils to maintain both a … How Much Should I Feed My Cat? Naturally, cats are carnivorous, so their diet requires animal protein and  fat, but also fibers, carbohydrates, calcium and vitamins. A caloric calculation will be necessary for cats that are not on a commercial cat food diet. The Merck manual for veterinarians teaches us the formula to determine the number of kcal a cat needs every day. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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? 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. Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. 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. The same applies to vegetables and fruits. 2.1 1. 2.4.1 If you have a kitten you should feed him more times a day than an adult cat After this operation, the formula goes like this: X =  70 x [nr. The exact number really depends on its age, size, and how much exercise it gets. While most veterinarians will tell you that a single meal per day is enough for the average adult cat as long as it is balanced and complete, some think a two-serving meal a day has the advantage of not allowing the cat to grow too hungry in between meals. 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. Every cat is individual, so the most important thing is to feed your cat enough to maintain a lean, healthy body condition. There are certain things that are good for humans but have a negative effect on cats. That’s why serving your cat wet food is a good way to make sure she stays hydrated without having to time her water drinking habit and force her hydrate on your own pace. 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. Not only do kittens require a more rich food that the adult cat, but they also need to be fed more times a day. ; 2 How Much Should I feed my Cat?. On average, cats should eat between 20 – 35 calories per pound of weight. - The Dogs Magazine, Your email address will not be published. The label on the package on a commercial cat food usually provides all the necessary information you need. There’s no rule regarding the proportion of wet or dry food in a mixed diet. Ricky says. For a lean cat, you should provide 100 × Weightkg0.67 kcal per day. Give them plenty of clean, fresh water in a large metal or ceramic bowl. 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. The first phase is to determine the right amount of food to give your cat. The same applies to a cat constantly meowing at an empty bowl. However, wet food spoils very quickly, so it is best to see that your cat eats it under supervision, in the course of one hour or so. Feed your cat 2 times a day; 2.3 3. An average of between three and five pouches should be served daily to provide sufficient nourishment. It is important to note that if you notice your cat stealing food from the table, it is not a true sign of hunger. Feed your cat only once a day; 2.2 2. The diets of these cats consist mainly of small animals. To cut costs, grains serve as the main contents in lots of dry kibble products. For a cat that stays outdoors a lot, the quantity of food will increase during the winter period. Contrary to the simplicity of the question, the right answer is much more complicated. Also, kittens will switch more quickly to solid food, if they come in contact with it from the beginning. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Will you opt for raw, dry, or wet food? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to how much cat food your cat needs. Each cup will be equal to the daily amount of the food which you are to serve the cat. The cat will end up dehydrated if you provide only dry kibble. To get protein in high quantity and of the best quality, you should provide a raw diet. Is the cat looking healthy and happy while eating? 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