How Many Times a Day Should a Cat Eat? Age and Diet
To learn how many times a day a cat should eat, start with a guide based on its age, then divide its daily food allowance according to its needs.
Dividing a cat’s food into meals can be confusing. At three months, four meals make up a single daily food allowance. To learn how many times a day a cat should eat, start with a guide based on its age, then divide its daily food allowance according to its needs.
Key takeaways
- At three months, a kitten can have its daily food allowance divided into four meals.
- The amount served throughout the day matters as much as how it is divided.
- After neutering, monitor calorie intake to reduce the risk of excess weight.
How often should a three-month-old kitten eat?
A three-month-old kitten’s daily food allowance can be divided into four meals. Each portion is part of the total planned for the day.
Guidance at three months
| Age | What to do | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Three months | Divide the daily food allowance | Four meals, according to the Purina Institute |
This general guideline should be adjusted for each kitten based on its age, lifestyle, and health. Before filling the bowls, divide up the day’s food: four meals do not mean four full daily allowances.
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How can you divide up meals without exceeding the daily food allowance?
Knowing how many times a day a cat eats is not enough to determine how much to serve. You also need to consider what is in its food. Wet food contains moisture, while dry food is dry: dry food loses water during preparation.
An example of daily energy needs
A 3.5 kg cat may need about 230 kcal a day. This is an example of an energy requirement, not a weight of dry food to pour into the bowl. Calories indicate the energy food provides; on their own, they do not tell you how much to serve in grams.
Food allowance for a neutered cat
A neutered cat has an increased risk of becoming overweight. If its calorie intake exceeds its needs, it can gain too much weight and become obese. Dividing its food into several portions does not change the total amount served, so keep an eye on the day’s food allowance.
A meal schedule suited to each cat
At three months, the guideline is to divide the daily food allowance into four meals. After neutering, the energy the food provides also needs attention. One tip: decide on the amount for the day first, then divide it among the meals.
Papatte is an app that lets you log meals and track your pet’s routines. .
Frequently asked questions
Wet or dry food can make up its meals. These foods differ in their moisture content, among other things. When planning meals, count everything served throughout the day, however you divide up the food.
No fixed amount in grams suits every neutered cat. The daily amount depends in part on its weight, food, activity, and individual characteristics. An energy requirement expressed in calories is therefore not enough to determine a weight of dry food.