Should cats have dry food available at all times

Meal Feeding vs. Free Feeding Cats: What's Best?

Meal feeding means you're providing food to your cat only at specific meal times during the day. Both canned and dry foods can be fed in this manner.

Advantages:Food intake can be closely monitored, which means it will be easy to tell if your cat has had a change in appetite. In addition, if you have the joy of amultiple cat household, all cats will have access to food without one being dominant over the others one cat could be eating all the food and gaining too much weight, and the other cat(s) could be missing out on the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Disadvantages.Cats might beg for food between meals. Your cat cannot control how much she eats at a certain time. However, if you are following your veterinarian's advice with proper amounts and regular feeding, you can rest easy that she is indeed getting the right amount of food and nutrients.

The bottom line.While kittens should be fed up to three times a day, once a cat becomes an adult (at about one year of age) feeding once or twice a day is just fine, says theCornell Feline Health Center. In fact, feeding just once-a-day should be acceptable for the majority of cats. "Once cats reach adulthood, once a day feeding is fine as long as they are healthy and have no disease problems suggesting a reason to feed differently," Cornell reports. Again, always check with your vet before deciding on a feeding regimen.

If you have multiple cats, ideally each cat should have their own food and water station in a quiet, low-traffic place where the cat likes to spend time,The Cat Doctorsadvises. That's because cats are solitary eaters they prefer to be alone when they eat.

Why Free Feeding May Put Your Cats Health at Risk

I brought Cheshire and Dervie in for their checkups the other day. The brothers are big boys. For the past year, Ive been trying to get their weight down by putting less food out.

Alas, both boys had gained weight. Apparently, portion control doesnt work for cats. Cheshire, our former runt, had morphed into a striped barrel with short legs, and we couldnt figure out how it had happened.

My veterinarian could. Cheshire was a grazer, he said.

The Lowdown on Grazing

For cats, grazing is basically nibbling at their food off and on all day. Its not exactly normal to them.

The types of animals that graze are herbivores: goats, cows, horses, sheep and so on, remarks writer JaneA Kelley. They graze because their bodies are built to chew, digest, regurgitate, chew again and digest again. Cats, on the other hand, are carnivores. Their stomachs are not designed for grazing.

At first, free feeding another term for grazing seems like the best answer. If you work all day or have to be away for any length of time, theres an ever-ready bowl of dry food available, and your feline will be fine until you get home.

It also makes life a little easier in a multi-cat household. Most of my pet-sitting clients have more than 1 cat. Some of the cats get canned food, some of them dont, but all have some kibble nearby. At one home, each of the 5 cats has their own bowl of dry food.

When Free Feeding Becomes a Problem

The issue with free feeding, explains Dr. Thomas Morganti, DVM, of the Avon Veterinary Clinic in Connecticut, is that every time your cat goes for that kibble, theres an insulin spike. The pancreas cant handle the long-term overload, and eventually youre looking at a cat with diabetes.

Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD, has explained here at Petful that offering all-daydry food is especially problematic:Cats conditioned to the never-ending dry buffet are at risk for developing obesity, urinary problems and kidney failure, to name just a few of the top feline health risks ofa dry food diet. It would be like a human moving hisrecliner to a Las Vegas buffet.

That said, itreally doesnt matter what you feed your buddy its the frequent feeding, not the type of food, thats could be a problem.

Meal Feeding

Meal feeding is the solution, says the Cat Hospital of Chicago. Start by picking up the food when you leave for the day, the hospitaladvises, and putting it down when you return. The cat(s) start to realize that the food will not always be available.

With meal feeding, each cat receives a measured portion of food, usually 2 or more times a day. He or she eats the food immediately in a meal fashion, as opposed to grazing on food all day.

A Counter Story

InFebruary 2014, UPI published an articlethat seemed to contradict all this. Fat cats can slim by grazing their kibble all day, claimed the headline.

At the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Science (ACES), researcher Kelly Swanson and his assistants found that upping the frequency of meals fed per day, as well as offering meals that contained added dietary water, promoted more physical activity among cats.

The felines in the 4 study groups all received the same amount of food; the only variable was the number of meals. Activity apparently increased 2 hours before each meal. If they know they are going to get fed, thats when they are really active, if they can anticipate it, Swanson commented.

The point is, the cats were getting meals. Grazing had nothing to do with it. So the headline turned out to be totally misleading.

This video fromJackson Galaxy helps explain the differences in feeding for cats:

Other Solutions

• Put your cats dry food in a rolling puzzle ball so he has to work for his meals, says Kelley. But just dont load up a huge bowl of kibble and go about your merry way.
• Play with your cat. Hellget a light workout, and youll have some quality bonding time.
• No extreme diets. Newsflash: They dont work for anybody. In fact, they can produce serious abnormalities that may jeopardize the cats life, according to The Cornell Book of Cats.

Im taking a moderate approach. The food bowls go down early in the morning and stay down for a few hours; they reappear in the late afternoon, then disappear at bedtime.

Cheshires still looking anxious, but I assure him its worth it.

Is Free Feeding Cats the Best Method? Vet-Approved Pros & Cons

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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How and when you feed your cat is almost as important as what you feed them. Indeed, your cat relies on you to determine when, what, and how they eat, which impacts their well-being and health on many levels. For example, obesity is a common problem in indoor cats, and this condition, although multifactorial, may be linked to the way they are fed.

But figuring out how to feed your feline companion can be a real headache. Is free feeding the way to go, or should you stick to giving out meals at set times? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as each cat has their own distinct preferences and needs. That said, its best to know the good and bad sides of each feeding method so you can make an informed decision.

In this article, well outline the pros and cons of the free feeding method, as well as portion controlled feeding, and give you some tips along the way to keep your feline friend as healthy and happy as can be.

Is the Free Feeding Method the Best?

Many experts express varying opinions on the free feeding method. While some argue that it can be suitable for certain cats, others caution against it due to the risk of obesity and potential behavioral problems in multi-cat households. This is why you should consult with your vet to get personalized advice based on your cats specific needs, lifestyle, and circumstances.

Your veterinarian should be able to provide you with valuable insights into whether free feeding aligns with your cats health goals and how to mitigate associated risks if you choose this approach.

With that in mind, lets dive into the pros and cons of the free feeding method.

Pros of Free Feeding

The free feeding method, also known as ad libitum feeding, simply means that you fill their bowl with food and leave it available all day. Only dry foods should be fed this way, for obvious reasons: wet foods can spoil quickly if left out throughout the day. This way of feeding may be particularly appealing to busy owners and to cats who do not have any particular health problems.

Lets see the advantages of this method in more detail:

1. Convenience for Busy Cat Parents

Free feeding allows cat parents to skip a strict feeding schedule. This flexibility may be particularly appealing to those with busy lifestyles or unpredictable work schedules. Your cat can eat several small meals per day on their schedule, which also tends to align with a cats natural preferences. Either way, the key to free feeding success is placing the correct amount of dry food for just one day at a time in the bowl.

2. Cats Seem to Prefer This Method

When given the choice, most cats tend to choose to eat several small meals per day, at their own pace. Although cats are not typically considered grazers, some studies suggest that allowing your cat to graze and eat many small, frequent meals throughout the day allows them to eat in a manner closest to what is natural to them ¹.

Cons of Free Feeding

Despite the evident time-saving perks and alignment with cat preferences, the free feeding method comes with significant drawbacks:

1. Risk of Obesity

One of the main concerns associated with the free feeding method is the risk of your cat gaining weight or even becoming obese. Indeed, the problem with free feeding is that it is difficult to monitor portions and effectively regulate your cats food intake. Even if you measure their daily portion correctly, your cat may gulp it all down in the morning and then complain all day because their bowl is empty, potentially coaxing more food from you!

Besides, it can be difficult to gauge changes in your cats appetite, especially if you have multiple cats to keep track of. That said, not all free-fed cats automatically become overweight. Cats that are at a healthy weight may be able to graze all day without gaining excess weight, particularly if you monitor their body condition.

It is also possible to reduce the risk of obesity by giving your cat many opportunities to exercise, which can be done through enrichment of their environment.

2. Increased Anxiety

Like us, cats find comfort in routine. Feeding your feline companion at set, regular times is a good way to help them feel safe and comfortable, which in turn can help reduce their stress and anxiety. Conversely, the free feeding method is a little more chaotic in the sense that the cat does what they want and manages their own feeding schedule.

This may be perfect for some more independent cats, but anxious kitties may benefit from the security and predictability of a set-time meal routine.

3. Difficulty Monitoring Health Issues

Scheduled feeding may allow pet owners to monitor their cats eating habits closely. Changes in appetite, frequency of consumption, or the sudden refusal of food can be early indicators of health issues. With free feeding, these signs may go unnoticed for a longer period.

4. Increased Risk of Food Spoilage

Leaving food out for long periods increases the risk of spoilage, especially during hot, humid summer days. This risk is reduced by avoiding giving your cat wet food, but even dry food can end up becoming unappetizing after a while.

5. May Increase Conflict and Aggression in Multi-Cat Households

In multi-cat homes, more dominant cats may bully the others and eat all the food. And unless you have cameras to help you monitor whats going on with your cats when youre not home, it can be hard to know if all your cats are eating well.

Portion Controlled Feeding

Portion-controlled feeding is basically the opposite of free feeding. It means you give your cat food only at specific mealtimes during the day. Both wet and dry foods can be served this way.

This can be done in two different ways:

• Fill their bowl and remove it after about 20 minutes
• Measure out a portion of food at each meal and let your cat eat at their own pace

Pros of Portion Controlled Feeding

With portion controlled feeding, food intake can be closely monitored, meaning it will be easy to tell if your cat has a change in appetite. In addition, it may reduce the risk of aggression and conflicts in households with multiple cats.

This feeding method is also mandatory for cats who must follow a special diet or who need to take medication at mealtimes.

Cons of Portion-Controlled Feeding

Some more greedy cats may start meowing and begging for food between meals. This can lead some cat parents to give them more food because they think their cat is hungry.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended to discuss with your veterinarian a feeding plan adapted to the specific needs of your feline friend. This way you ensure that your adorable but gluttonous cat gets the right amount of food every day.

Tips for Implementing the Best Feeding Method for Your Cat

First, talk to your veterinarian for suggestions based on your cats age, breed, and lifestyle. Then, you should base your decision on your cats health, not just your convenience.

Consider the following tips for implementing the best feeding method for your cat:

• Take note of your cats eating habits and preferences. Some cats thrive on a structured routine and may prefer scheduled meals, while others enjoy the freedom to graze freely throughout the day, while still maintaining a healthy weight. Observing your cats natural tendencies can help you determine which feeding method is best for them.
• Keep an eye on your cats body condition. Run your hands over their body regularly to feel for any changes in weight or body shape. If you notice any weight loss or gain, adjust their diet accordingly and consult your veterinarian.
• Encourage your cats natural behaviors, such as predation, foraging, and play, by incorporating puzzle feeders into their routine.
• If you have more than one cat, consider setting up separate feeding stations to minimize the risk of conflict.
• Regardless of the feeding method you choose, be sure to keep your cats food bowls clean. The accumulation of saliva and crumbs can create an unappealing mix for your feline friend, while also creating an inviting environment for bacteria and microbes.

Conclusion

The best feeding method for your cat is one that suits their individual needs and lifestyle. Some cats manage to regulate their food intake without problem, while others may wolf down the entire contents in one sitting. Each method has its pros and cons, and the ideal approach depends largely on your cats personality, overall health, and lifestyle.

By paying attention to your cats signals and working with your vet, you will be able to create an ideal feeding routine that will allow your feline friend not only to eat well but also to thrive in all aspects.

Featured Image Credit: Patrick, Foto_Shutterstock