Cat Feeding Guidelines

Most cat parents get confused about what, how, and how much to feed cats. This article provides information on cat food for all life stages and how to keep your cat’s nutrition at its best from kittenhood to adulthood.

How much to feed cats – Points to remember

• Cats are obligate carnivores. They cannot survive without eating meat in some form.
• Newborn kittens should be fed every 2-3 hours at least for the first week after birth.
• KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) can be used for newborn kittens if a lactating mother is not available for feeding.
• Kittens who are 4-6 weeks old can be transitioned from mother’s milk or KMR to solid food.
• ½-1 cup of dry kitten food or 6-9 ounces of wet food should be consumed daily by kittens.
• 1-7-year-old healthy cats need 15 to 20 grams of dry food and 1/2 or 1 can of wet food per day per kilogram of body weight.
• Senior cats need fewer calories but appropriate amounts of vitamins and nutrients.
• Free-feeding cats should be avoided as it is an invitation to fatal diseases.
• Feeding a kitten up to three times daily is ideal, but when the cat turns one, feeding them twice daily is fine.

While raising our cats, we had several questions about when to wean kittens, when to offer them adult food, or the best cat food for all life stages? One size does not fit all when it comes to cat food. With so many tasty and wholesome alternatives available, it was challenging for us to pick the ideal diet for our cat. After reading a lot about how to choose cat food, we realized that it was only half the battle won. The other half was about feeding them correctly. The amount of daily food for cats depends on the weight, physical activity, and personality of the breed.

Here are a few suggestions to get your cat’s diet and feeding routine right.

Cats nutritional needs

Ensure your cat receives food as per the guidelines given by AAFCO. AAFCO-approved food labels mostly have all the essential vitamins and nutrients required by your cat to live a healthy and happy life.

Beef, fish, and poultry provide essential nutrients to cats. The six nutrients essential for cats to survive are:

• Animal protein
• Fats
• Carbohydrates
• Water
• Vitamins (A, D, B1, B2, B3, B6),
• Minerals (Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Chloride)

Points to consider while selecting cat food

• Real meat as the first ingredients
• Very low content of corn, wheat or soy – if these fillers can be avoided, its best
• Meals should be from specific sources like chicken, tuna or salmon. General categorization like poultry meal, by-product meal or fish meal should be avoided.
• Protein derived from chicken by-products is nutritious for cats
• You can choose to provide special raw food from popular brands like B.A.R.F India or Canine India

Here are some recommendations on the brands that provide well-balanced cat food.

How much to feed cats?

How much to feed cats requires taking into account a number of variables, including age, amount of activity, and the nutrients they require. To analyze the amount of food you should give cats, seek your vet’s help. Click pictures of ingredients given on cat food packets and show them to the vet. They can help analyze the appropriate quantity of food to be given to cats as per their body weight and health conditions.

Cats can be fed one to five times daily, depending on their needs. Their eating schedule influences their digestion, energy level, and general contentment, so finding the right balance is critical. Like many other animals, cats enjoy regularity, and once they’ve figured out your feeding plan, they’ll gladly remind you of it. A life stage formula is a simple place to start.

Different ages and stages of cat nutrition

Age has an effect on a cat’s feeding habits. According to nutritionists, dietary requirements are lower for kittens and reproducing cats than for adults. Senior cat food could help older cats, but there’s also a chance that it won’t. What they should consume and how often will depend on their weight and general health.

– Newborn kittens

Newborn kittens need to be fed every 2-3 hours at least for the first week after birth. Lactating mother’s milk is best for newborn kittens. But in case the mother is not available, the kittens can be bottle-fed using KMR (kitten milk replacer). KMR comes in either liquid or powder form. It is specially formulated for cats. KMR does not need a prescription. Make sure to follow the guidelines while bottle-feeding the kitten.

– 4 weeks to 1-year-old kittens

This is the weaning phase – kittens who are 4-6 weeks old can be transitioned from mother’s milk or KMR to solid food. One-half to one cup of dry kitten food or six to nine ounces of wet food should be consumed daily by kittens. It is simple to overfeed or underfeed kittens, but veterinarians may offer guidance to establish structure and prepare the kitten for health at maturity.

– 1 to 7 years of adulthood

Cats should eat around 40–45 calories per kilogram of their (healthy) body weight. For an average adult cat (3–4 kilos), that’s 120–180 calories per day.

A healthy cat with normal daily activity needs approximately 15 to 20 grams of dry food per kilogram of body weight. The amount of wet cat food that is recommended is 1/2 or 1 can per day.

When to start feeding adult food to kittens depends on when they reach adulthood. Some bigger cat breeds, such as Maine Coons, have a longer growing phase and could require kitten food until they are 18 to 23 months old. Some medical professionals do not advise free feeding, which is making food available for your cat to consume whenever they like. Meal-feeding kittens/ cats allow you to precisely monitor their dietary intake and make modifications if any health issues develop.

A cat’s diminished appetite is one of the first indications that anything is wrong, and it might be challenging to detect this in a free-fed cat. We advise you to discuss picking a special food for your cat with your vet.

– 7 to 10 years and above

The calorie level of senior cat diets often decreases, but the appropriate vitamins and nutrients are still required for a cat’s body that is growing. Choose products like Hill’s Science Diet if you want more nutrition and fewer calories. There are certain exclusions, particularly if your cat has dietary allergies or requires a prescription diet.

The timing and method of your cat’s meal matters

Choosing how to feed cats is another important decision. You should keep in mind that your cat will get adapted to your chosen approach after you choose it.

– Avoid free-feeding your cat
If your cat seems to be ravenous all the time, you might end up free feeding. This allows the cat to eat as many times as it wants throughout the day. You won’t be able to keep a tab on the amount of food your cat consumes or wastes. To teach your cat to graze instead of gobble, fill the bowl just once per day. It’s crucial to accurately measure the food you give your cat every day to keep your cat’s health in check.

– Feeding a cat on a schedule or by meal
Starting when your cat is young, you can provide meal feedings, often known as planned feedings. The easiest technique to precisely monitor how much your pet eats is to give your kitten (or cat) wet or dry food at a specific time of the day. In families with many cats, this is very useful. But between meals, you could see your cat pleading for food. Possibly, your cat is not hungry but only seeking your attention. So, play with her or spend time massaging her when she pleads in between for food. Many experts agree that feeding a kitten up to three times daily is ideal, but when the cat turns one, feeding them twice daily is fine.

– Cat feeding combo
You might decide to concentrate on a mix of the two feeding choices. This is a fantastic technique to provide your cat access to both dry food and wet food. Dry food can be given a few times in small quantities every day and wet or canned food should be given twice a day at fixed times. Canned food works like your cat’s lunch and dinner whereas dry food can be considered as a snack. It gives you and your cat some control over the timing and quantity of her meals.

Although cats have preferences for certain foods at a young age, there may be periods later in life when they need to switch. Feeding flexibility requires the introduction of both wet and dry food. The fact that cats like to eat alone means that you should set up a location where they can do it in peace and quiet.

There are certain cat meals that have 500 calories or more in a cup. Since most cats won’t self-regulate how much they consume, a buffet with unlimited food should be avoided. Each cat in a household should have its own feeder if there are several cats. Use a pet food calculator for an estimate of your monthly feeding amounts and financial considerations. Consider the benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether to feed cats dry food, wet food, or a combination of the two.

Dry-fed cats have a tendency to drink less than they should, which increases their risk of dehydration. Your kitten can acquire a taste for varied textures and flavors by being exposed to a variety of foods. As your cat grows and develops, so will its dietary requirements.

How to adjust your cats to new diets?

When cats reach adulthood, they will first switch to a diet that is specifically formulated for adults or for all life stages. Tummy discomfort and digestive problems might result from a sudden diet change. Thus, gradual transition is necessary. Add small amounts of the new food to the current one. You might have to face some wastage as cats won’t eat something they are suspicious of. Over the course of seven to fourteen days, the doctor advises gradually increasing the intake of new foods.

Cats are individuals with unique needs and personalities

Since each cat is unique, regular veterinarian exams and attentive observation of any behavioral changes are crucial considerations when choosing the right food for cats of all ages. The most crucial thing to keep in mind while feeding cats is that one size does not fit all. Dive deeper and learn more about your cat’s specific needs by discussing the requirements with a veterinarian on a regular basis. Pay attention to other needs of a cat like playing, sleeping, scratching, grooming, litter box routine, etc. to ensure all-rounded care for your cat’s well-being.