How Much and How Often You Should Feed Your Cat

Mournful meows, endless headbutts, and sitting pointedly by their food bowls. Are all telltale signs that your cat is hungry. Most cats (and, let’s be fair, cat parents too) are pretty food oriented. Dinnertime is most likely your cat’s favourite part of the day.

But how much food is too much food. How can you tell if your cat needs to go on a diet? Read on to learn more about how much to feed a cat and how often cats eat.

But did you know that many people, especially those who feed their cat kibble, are totally over feeding their cats? The amount you feed your cat will depend on their personal needs, health, and overall condition (which is why KatKin customises your cat’s food) and will depend on a few different factors.

Just like human kids, younger cats will need to eat more than adult or senior cats. They need more food to give their bodies the energy to grow and develop properly. How often you feed your cat will change with their age, too. Again, younger cats will need food more frequently than older cats.

Kittens usually will need to be fed around 3 or 4 times a day (just like us). Serving their food in smaller amounts lets them eat their fill, without wasting any.

Commercial kitten cat foods are high in calories to support the growth of their small bodies. Which means it’s important to switch over to an adult food when they reach a year old – this stops them becoming overweight. But KatKin can be fed to your cat no matter what age they are.

Once your cat reaches a year old, they’re officially considered an adult. (Time to get a job.) Their previous 3-4 meals can be cut down to just two. Convenient – KatKin comes in two ready-to-serve portions.

Your senior cats should be kept on the same feeding schedule as they were as an adult. Twice a day: breakfast and dinner.

If your cat is overweight, underweight, or just right, this will affect how much you feed them. Overweight cats will likely need to be on a calorie deficit to help shift those extra grams. Underweight cats will need to be fed a bit more to help them put on that weight they’ve lost. Whereas cats that are just right only need to maintain their weight.

Adjusting your cat’s food according to how active they are can help them to maintain a healthy weight too. If your cat is out playing, exploring, and climbing trees all day, they’ll probably be much hungrier than your lazy cat who spends all day in their comfiest bed.

Some health conditions or medications might affect how often, when, and how much to feed your cat. Make sure you always follow the directions from your vet.

Your cat’s breed will also affect how much and how often you feed them. A miniature breed such as a Munchkin won’t need as much food as a Maine Coon, for example, but they might need to be fed small amounts more often.

As well as their weight, activity level, and age, the type of food you feed your cat will determine how much and how often you feed them.

Dry food, or kibble, is easy to buy in shops…. And that’s where the benefits end. They typically only have around 10% moisture and a questionably low level of ‘meat’ (animal derivatives). The rest is packed with fillers and carbs.

Kibble is quite high in calories. You might be surprised to know that your cat only needs half a cup or less depending on their calorie requirements. Because it never looks like enough, many cat parents overfeed (or even free-feed) their cats. That means overweight or obese cats.

Wet food is another easily accessible cat food that can be found in pouches or tins. It’s a level up from kibble but still not ideal for your cat. They’re cooked at very high temperatures, killing most of the nutritional value, and are still filled with fillers and preservatives.

Because of all these fillers (same as with dry food) that they can’t digest, you’ll probably find that your cat poops a lot. And their poops are probably quite smelly too.

Raw food has become more popular in recent years with many new brands popping up. Raw food does have some benefits – it’s closer to what cats would eat in the wild and, when correctly balanced, it can provide your cat everything they need to be happy and healthy. It’s also less convenient than wet and dry food – you have to measure out each portion for every meal.

There are risks, especially if it’s homemade, if you choose to feed raw. When made in the wrong ratios, your cat might be missing out on some essential nutrients and vitamins they need to stay healthy. Additionally, there is the added risk of parasites which is why some vets might not approve of raw feeding your cat. There’s also a higher risk to you – having raw meat lying around comes with risks to your health such as E.Coli. So there are more risks than rewards.

KatKin does cat food differently. We’re not raw or dry, we’re fresh. We take human-quality cuts of meat, mince it up to cat-sizes bites, and gently cook it in its own juices to retain those essential nutrients and all-important moisture. The result? Delicious, tempting, ready-to-serve portions of food that cats just can’t resist.

Cats are sticklers for routine. Which you already know if you've ever fed them late. (The look of disappointment is next level.) Because of this, you’ll want to set up a specific time that you feed your cat in the morning and evening. Thankfully, KatKin makes this quick and easy.

When feeding your cat KatKin, you only need to feed them twice a day – one tray in the morning and one in the evening. It couldn’t be easier.

Putting your cat on a diet isn't fun. Especially when your cat makes it your problem. But it’s important to be persistent – this is for their health, after all. If your vet has prescribed your cat a diet or to cut their calories, make sure you follow their advice.

If cutting back on the calories isn’t working for you, here are some other tips to help your cat lose some weight:

• Get them to follow you from room to room – you might need to offer them some healthy treats like our Chicken Nibbles treats to encourage them.

• Playing with toys – especially ones that encourage them to run, chase, and jump. 

• Purchase a cat exercise wheel – these are great for cats who have lots of energy to run off.

• Build your own DIY cat condo for them to explore – climbing, scratching, and exploring are great ways for cats to get exercise

• Feed them with interactive puzzle feeders – these will help them slow down when eating and exercise their brain, making the meal more filling and satisfying.

A healthy weight for your cat will depend on their breed. But a good idea for a healthy weight for a cat is around 4.5 kilos. But a large breed can weigh as much as 10 kilos and still be healthy, while a smaller breed can weigh as low as 3 kilos and be happy.

The best way to judge if your cat is overweight or not is to look at their body from above where they’re standing. They should have a nice, sleek hourglass figure with a visible waist and only a small amount of fat. You should be able to easily find and feel their ribs but not be able to see them too easily.

The best way to keep your cat healthy and looking their best is to feed them KatKin. Delicious, convenient, and one of the best ways to maintain your cat’s weight. Make the switch to discover why fresh cat food is best.