How many times a day do I feed my cat?
There are several feeding methods that can be used when feeding cats. One option would be to feed your cat free-choice. Free-choice feeding involves having a surplus of food available for your cat at all times. This enables your cat to eat as much as he wants, when he desires to eat.
This method works well with dry food, as wet foods will have a tendency to spoil if left for long periods of time (such as for more than an hour). Cats are generally fairly good at being able to regulate the amount that they eat so that their energy needs are met; however, some cats may not do as well with this type of feeding method and may have a tendency to become overweight.
If your cat is not particularly good at regulating himself, you may also consider a portion controlled feeding regimen. This involves measuring the amount you are feeding, providing two or three small meals throughout the day, and allowing your cat to eat at will. Portion controlled feeding allows you to monitor the amount you are feeding, so that your cat maintains an ideal body condition.
Your cat’s body condition is probably the best indicator for the type of feeding regimen you select. If your cat tends to be underweight, the free-choice method may be the best for your cat. However, if your cat tends to be on the heavy side, it would be best to use a portion controlled feeding plan, so you can control the number of calories your cat receives on a daily basis.
