Cats have very specific dietary needs that must be met in order to stay happy and healthy, and this article will help you to understand these requirements as well as how best to feed them.
Most cats will develop food preferences based on texture, scent and temperature of the food they eat; to provide variety and ensure optimal health it’s important to feed a wide array of these items throughout their day.
Feeding Schedule
Feeding schedules aim to get your cat used to having predictable meals throughout their day, which helps meet both physiological and instinctual needs, and prevent them from going too long without eating, which could cause stress or aggressive behaviors.
When choosing when and how often to feed, it’s essential that you consider your family schedule. For instance, if small children wake up at certain times each morning, making breakfast and lunch earlier could help avoid disrupting them when mealtime comes around for the cats.
Establish a specific place and time for mealtime so your cats know where they need to eat at that moment in time. Furthermore, designating an indicator such as words, phrases or sounds that signal it’s mealtime could save time by helping to prevent you from having to chase after your cat for food around the house.
No matter your feeding method of choice – be it free-feeding or schedule feedings – it is always helpful to weigh your cat on a weekly basis to maintain an ideal weight. Doing this will allow you to ensure they remain at an ideal weight; especially important if they are overweight as this will indicate whether more food needs to be given, or more exercise needs to be provided for.
Feeding Frequency
Cats typically enjoy snacking throughout the day. Unfortunately, leaving food out too often increases their chance of becoming overweight by overeating. To prevent this from happening and manage their calories effectively, try feeding small meals regularly – every 6-8 hours is optimal for best results.
Utilizing a timed feeder loaded with multiple, measured meals will assist in this endeavor. When determining how many servings your cat needs each day, divide their total daily calorie requirement by the number of servings that they will receive; for instance if their wet food contains 95kcal/can this would suggest they eat approximately 14 cups of Tiny Tiger Pate Chicken Recipe wet food per meal.
Certain cats, such as older cats or kittens, will require feedings more frequently due to individual needs or medical conditions such as liver disease. If your cat begins regurgitating stomach acid between scheduled meals, this is often an indicator that they require extra meals; try giving larger portions or offering freeze-dried meat treats as additional snacks between scheduled meals to make their meal time more pleasurable for everyone involved.
Feeding Times
As wild cats, domesticated pets spend their days hunting prey for food that will ensure survival. Daily meals generally consist of nutrient-rich cat food tailored specifically for their nutritional requirements.
Establish and adhere to a feeding routine for your cat in order to keep him/her calm and content, as well as monitor eating habits more closely and detect early changes that could signal potential health concerns. This will enable you to better monitor their eating patterns and detect early warning signs such as changes in appetite which could indicate health issues.
Your choice in when and how often to feed your cat is entirely up to you, though ideally choose an agreed upon time that allows for consistent feedings every day. Doing this will allow your pet to establish a routine without missing meals which could have lasting negative impacts on its health.
Many people find it easiest to feed their pet(s) first thing in the morning, prior to work and/or after work hours or even before bedtime. You should select a time that works for your family and stick with it; additionally, make sure a designated spot for meals so your pet(s) associate that space with “meal time.” Furthermore, consider creating a signal (word/phrase/sound) which signifies meal times so all members of your household know what needs to happen at meal times.
Treats
Treats can be an enjoyable way to vary your cat’s diet. Treats may serve as incentives during play or help coax cats into taking pills or medication more readily, although their consumption should be done so sparingly as too many can add additional calories to his or her daily intake and lead to weight gain and other health concerns.
These sticks of chicken, liver and turkey will provide your cat with a tasty snack they will love to crunch on! A great alternative to dry food as they contain more of what cats crave. Made with no grains or gluten and designed to support healthy teeth. As these low calorie treats make an excellent reward or treat.
Other healthy treats to consider for snacks include hard-boiled eggs, cooked broccoli florets or baby carrots; all three foods provide protein and other vital nutrients, but should always be cooked prior to feeding to avoid risk from food-borne pathogens. Chicken necks or wings make tasty snacks as well, but need careful handling as they may lead to tooth decay; therefore it’s wiser to limit their consumption.
