Feeding Methods for Cats

Laurie Anne Walden, DVM

Photo by Long Ma

The way we feed cats—not just the type of diet we choose—can affect their physical and mental health.
 
Animals are happiest and healthiest when they’re able to do all of the things that are normal for their species. For cats, normal feeding behavior is related to their nature as hunters.
 
Almost all cat species are solitary hunters, unlike wolves and other canines that hunt in packs. (Lions are the exception.) Domestic cats have not evolved far from their wild relatives in this respect. This means that pet cats usually like to eat several small meals a day alone, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).
 
The following suggestions are from the 2018 AAFP consensus statement on feline feeding programs.[1]
 
Potential Health Problems Related to Feeding Methods
Some common feeding methods can cause physical and emotional problems for pet cats, says the AAFP.
 
Feeding 1 or 2 large meals a day in a single location contributes to inactivity and weight gain, increasing the risk for medical problems like diabetes. Eliminating the need to hunt reduces a cat’s activity level and mental stimulation. And feeding cats in a group might lead to food-related conflict and stress, which in cats is linked to bladder and behavior problems.
 
Suggestions for Feeding Cats

• Choose a diet that is complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage. Cats are carnivores and need diets that contain meat.
• Feed the right amount for your cat’s size and activity level. Check with your veterinarian if you’re not sure how much food your cat needs.
• Offer several small meals throughout the day instead of 1 or 2 large meals (feed the same total amount either way).
• Use puzzle feeders to give your cat some mental stimulation. A puzzle feeder is a food holder that a cat has to manipulate to get to the food. A puzzle feeder can be as simple as a plastic drink bottle or an egg carton containing dry kibble. More complex manufactured puzzle feeders are also available. Start with a simple puzzle, and use treats if needed to train your cat to use the feeder. Some cats would rather eat from a bowl plunked down in front of them than play with a puzzle feeder,[2] so give your cat choices of feeders and plenty of time to get used to anything new.
• Let your cat forage for food. Put small amounts of food in different locations for your cat to find. Put some food on higher surfaces if your cat doesn’t have trouble jumping up and down.
• Be sure your cat can access her food easily, especially if she has medical problems that limit her mobility.
• Monitor your cat’s weight. If your cat is losing weight, schedule a veterinary examination to find out if the weight loss is caused by a medical condition. If your cat is gaining weight, decrease the total amount fed and contact your veterinarian for suggestions that are specific for your cat.

 
Suggestions for Multiple Cats

• If you have more than 1 cat, have multiple feeding areas so they can eat alone if they like. Forcing a cat to eat in the company of another cat that he usually tries to avoid can cause anxiety, says the AAFP.
• Feeding cats separately can be a challenge. Programmable feeders linked to individual cats’ microchips are available for cats that need to eat a different food than other cats in the home. You might be able to separate feeding areas with doors or baby gates (depending on your cats’ ability to jump over a gate).
• Watch your cats’ interactions to find out which ones are comfortable being together and which ones avoid each other. Make sure all of them can access their food without another cat blocking their way.

 
References
1. Sadek T, Hamper B, Horwitz D, Rodan I, Rowe E, Sundahl E. Feline feeding programs: addressing behavioral needs to improve feline health and wellbeing. J Feline Med Surg. 2018;20(11):1049-1055. doi:10.1177/1098612X18791877
2. Delgado MM, Han BSG, Bain MJ. Domestic cats (Felis catus) prefer freely available food over food that requires effort. Anim Cogn. Published online July 26, 2021. doi:10.1007/s10071-021-01530-3
 
Photo by Long Ma on Unsplash

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