Cats are carnivorous animals that prefer to eat several times a day instead of just once, just as if they were in a state wild. In addition, they usually do not overeat, but only eat what they need, but even so, the amount of daily cat food depends on several factors, such as the age, size, physical activity or personality of the animal, and it is our responsibility to provide them with a balanced and quality diet to prevent our cat from being overweight, or on the contrary, from being malnourished.
In this article on our site we are going to show you the keys to feeding these pets correctly depending on their life stage, since it is very important to consider that the daily amount of food for adult cats it will be different than that of baby cats or that of senior cats.
Feeding lactating cats
Nursing cats begin weaning around three weeks of age [1] so, until then, it is recommended not to give them no food other than breast milk, since they do not need any other additional product that provides them with more nutrients. Mother's milk contains absolutely everything these little animals need, so there's no more worrying about the kittens getting the amount of milk they need. If we see that the baby cats are complaining or restless, they may not have been satisfied and need more milk.
In the event that we cannot give them breast milk, we can use an emergency formula formula, but the ideal is to use commercial substitutesof milk that can be obtained from vets and specialized stores, but it is always advisable to breastfeed them naturally with their biological mothers.
From the fourth week, we can introduce them to some solid food/special feed for baby cats, crumbled and soaked in water until it has a puree consistency, so that they begin to get used to this food. The first weeks of life of cats are crucial for their proper development and growth. At around 7 to 8 weeks, the cat will be completely weaned
How much should a puppy eat?
From 8 weeks (after weaning) and up to 4 months of age, it is necessary to give young cats several meals a day, for example 5 servings. Remember that puppies don't usually drink a lot of water, so you should alternate dry food with wet food to make up for this lack of liquid. You can also moisten the dry feed with water or chicken or fish broth without s alt, onion or seasoning.
At this stage of the life of cats, their stomach is very small and large amounts of food cannot fit in each feeding, but as our pet grows, it will need each time a little more food at each meal. Thus, from 4 to 6 months of age, it is necessary to increase the food ration by 10 grams per feeding so that the animal does not lack food, but always trying not to overdo it so that the young kitten maintains its ideal weight.
As for the amount of food, this will depend directly on the commercial food that we use. It is important to point out that the same amount of feed will not contain the same calories and nutrients in two different products, so we must always check the table on the package and follow the advice of the veterinarian. Nutritional needs may vary based on breed, lifestyle, and any medical conditions.
How much should an adult cat eat?
From the age of 12 months, our cat will already be an adult and, as we mentioned before, the amount of daily food will depend on the weight, physical activity and the personality of the breed.
Wild cats make small meals based on their prey, which they hunt by instinct. In contrast, domestic cats can eat between 10 and 20 meals a day, ingesting approximately 5 grams at each meal. It is very important for the cat to have food available whenever it needs it, a system called "ad libitum".
Therefore, you must review the instructions on the package first where the exact quantities are detailed according to the type of food and weight, distributing it throughout the day. If your cat manages its intake correctly, you will only have to worry about knowing the total daily amount and filling its feeder twice a day. If, on the other hand, your cat is obese or overweight, you will have to distribute it in several doses, to avoid anxiety.
The amount in grams of daily cat food will depend on the nutritional formula of the product, it is not possible to know the exact grams. In any case, we present you with an example described on the packaging of Royal Canin Premium Adults - Coat:
- If you weigh 2 kg, between 25 and 40 grams of dry food per day.
- If you weigh 3 kg, between 35 and 50 grams of dry food per day.
- If you weigh 5 kg, between 40 and 60 grams of dry food per day.
- If you weigh 6 kg, between 55 and 85 grams of dry food per day.
- If you weigh 7 kg, between 60 and 90 grams of dry food per day.
- If you weigh 8 kg, between 70 and 100 grams of dry food per day.
Don't forget that these weights are indicated for cats with moderate physical activity and without any feeding or he alth problems, so if, for example, you have a pregnant cat, it is advisable to provide her with the amount of food she asks for, since she needs a greater amount of protein, fat and calcium for the correct development of the pregnancy.
However, the energy needs (kilocalories) can be calculated, since they do not depend on food, they depend on the cat and the the stage you are in. Next we show you a table with the specifications:
How much should a senior cat eat?
From the age of 7/8 our animal will go from being an adult cat to being a senior cat, and as a consequence, its ability to digest proteins and fats will decrease Therefore, it is necessary to continue feeding him with 2 daily servings but providing him with high quality and easily digestible meals.
Apart from the ability to digest, we will notice other changes in our pet that is getting older, such as the quality of its fur that will become less shiny; or the amount of daily physical activity, with the cat becoming less active and calmer. Even so, this process is inevitable, but we can significantly prolong the life of our pet if we feed it correctly and appropriately for its age.
How much should a cat eat? - General considerations
If you are still wondering how much a cat should eat, you need to take these things into account in order to know exactly how to feed your cat:
- Cats are animals of habit, so it is recommended that they have a fixed daily routine as soon as they begin their adulthood.
- Continuing with the routine theme, it is necessary to feed your pet in the same place and at the same time every day, in a quiet place that is always far from its litter box.
- To feed your kitten, use a mat or an easy-to-clean surface to put a metal or ceramic container. Some cats prefer to eat in a flat bowl, and this helps prevent them from eating too quickly.
- If you have more than one cat, you must make sure that each one has their respective feeders at a considerable distance, so that they do not fight or eat each other's food.
- Don't forget to keep an eye on prohibited foods for cats, to prevent them from eating them and not having he alth problems.
