Cat owners want to know the best time to feed cats for plenty of reasons, from helping maintain a healthy weight to making sure their cat is well fed. Naturally, cats have different eating habits. Some cats may scarf down their meals as quickly as possible, and others may graze on their food throughout the day.
Regardless of which type of cat you have, feeding them at the right time can improve or maintain their health.
Generally speaking, you should try to feed your cat twice a day, ideally every 12 hours. This ensures that they never go too long without food in their bowl. But this isn’t a one size fits all approach — for example, growing kittens may need food more often, and elderly cats may need fresh food sporadically throughout the day.
Read on to learn more about the best time to feed your cat.
Factors That Impact When You Feed Your Cat
To determine the best time to feed cats, consider some of the factors that impact eating habits and health.
- Age. Your cat’s age plays a big role in when you should feed them. Older cats and kittens should get their meals more frequently than mid-aged adult cats.
- Weight. If your cat’s weight is an issue, then you may want to cut back on how often you feed your cat. They might make a fuss when they don’t get their regularly scheduled meal, but it’s for their own good!
- Your schedule. Obviously, you can’t feed your cat if you aren’t home. It’s important to work around rigid schedules to ensure regular meals for your cat.
- Your cat’s preference. Yes, you should listen to your cat! Many cats only want to eat when they’re hungry, so pay attention to any signs of hunger. Over time, you should get a good idea of the time during the day your cat will want a meal.
- Health. Many cats require specialized diets due to health conditions. If this is the case, consult your vet to determine the best time to feed your cat.
What Time Should I Feed My Cat?
The specific time of day you feed your cat will probably depend on your schedule and when your cat wants its meals. So, there’s plenty of flexibility with when you feed your cat.
What’s important is to try and make meals regular. Like humans, cats need to eat regular meals to stay healthy. With regular meals, you and your cat can also form routines around their meals, great for a healthy lifestyle. For most cats, a meal every 12 hours should be perfect.
The type of food you feed your cat also impacts when you should feed it. For example, if you use canned food, you don’t want it sitting out uneaten for too long. Perishable foods like canned food and raw food should be served when you’re home to toss out any food that’s gone bad. This is usually why a mix of dry cat food and wet cat food is best for cats.
How Often Should I Feed My Cat?
As mentioned earlier, most cats should get meals about every 12 hours, or twice a day. Of course, there are exceptions.
- Kittens should be fed throughout the day. These are babies that are growing quickly, and they need food to grow big and strong. Don’t let your kitten go hungry!
- Older cats usually need frequent, albeit smaller, meals throughout the day.
- Cats with dietary restrictions or health conditions likely need special eating routines. Consult your vet to determine how often you should feed your cat.
If your cat starts to get a little heavy, then you should ease into providing smaller meals or less frequent feedings. Your cat may seem hungry, but diets can help them stay slim and healthy.
Final Thoughts: Best Time to Feed Cats
The best time to feed cats varies on the cat, your habits, and the type of food your cat eats. The frequency and size of your cat’s meals are going to vary throughout their life, so be sure to adjust servings over time.
FAQs for the Best Time to Feed Cats
Full grown cats should be fed twice a day, both in the morning and late afternoon/early evening. Kittens should be fed more frequently, up to 5-6 times per day.
Feeding your cat first thing in the morning is perfect. Cats are active in the early mornings and can grow hungry. Consistently feeding cats first thing in the morning also helps a cat build a routine.
Yes, you can feed cats before bed. However, don’t feed your cat late at night. Feeding time becomes an important part of your cat’s routine, so you don’t want them to begin expecting food when you might be sleeping.
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