How can you make sure you’re feeding your cat the right food at the right time and in the right quantities? If you’re choosing new cat food, deciding on a feeding schedule, concerned about a food-related health condition, or wondering about supplements or treats, check out our feeding guidelines for cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores, and this means that they cannot survive solely on a plant-based diet as they won’t get all the required nutrients from it. To stay healthy and survive, cats require at least 70% of the nutrients found in animal meat. So, your cat’s diet and choice of food should be prepared accordingly. To start off, you can begin by making a feeding plan for your cats to ensure they get the nutrition they require.
How do I make a feeding plan for my cat?
You can divide your cat’s daily diet into two main meals which are spaced no more than 12 hours apart. Alternatively, you can divide the food into multiple meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, do ensure that these meals provide the cat with enough calories and other nutrients - not more or less than recommended.
How to identify my cat’s feeding habits?
Once your cats are set on a regular feeding schedule, you will slowly begin noticing their usual feeding habits. Habits such as playing with their food, eating alone, and hoarding food are quite normal for cats. So, if you notice any of these, you don’t have to be worried. A few habits that you may have to be mindful of are:
- Not eating all the served food (served as per regular amount)
- Sudden gain in weight
- Cat going more than 24 hours without eating
If you notice your cat showing either of these habits, book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
How do I pick which food to feed my cat?
Before making a meal plan for your cat, it is important to understand which pet food is right for them. This is because there are a few factors upon which your cat’s basic calorie and nutrient intake depend. While a vet can help you with a detailed cat feeding guide, here is a quick look at factors that you need to keep in mind.
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Life stage
Life stage refers to the cat’s age - is your pet a kitten, an adult or a senior cat? Cats need the most amount of calorie intake when they are young kittens for proper growth. After 10 months of age, cats can be switched to a diet consisting of adult cat food. This diet can be continued even after your feline friend crosses 11 years of age, which is when cats begin to be considered seniors.
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Lifestyle
Lifestyle refers to how active your cat normally is. Cats who stay active and agile need more calories than cats who prefer to be idle.
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Life stage
Life stage refers to the cat’s age - is your pet a kitten, an adult or a senior cat? Cats need the most amount of calorie intake when they are young kittens for proper growth. After 10 months of age, cats can be switched to a diet consisting of adult cat food. This diet can be continued even after your feline friend crosses 11 years of age, which is when cats begin to be considered seniors.
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Body condition
Body condition concerns the animal’s overall health and body weight. For a cat who is overweight, you need to prepare a diet that is low on calories. With regards to the overall health condition, if your cat is facing any kind of ailments, their food intake may change or need to be changed. Your vet will advise you on what foods your pet may need to consume or avoid. They may also suggest changes in the cat’s feeding guidelines per the animal’s unique health requirements.
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Breed size
Cats that are naturally larger in size need more calories than their smaller counterparts.
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Reproductive status
Spayed and neutered cats usually have reduced metabolic rates and, hence, require fewer calories. Pregnant cats will naturally need more food than other cats.
How often should I feed my cat?
A practical guideline to follow is that kittens should be fed three times a day from weaning (three to six weeks) right up to four months of age. After four months, they should be fed twice a day. Most cats should continue to be fed twice a day throughout their life, although some pets do well with one feeding.
How much should I give my cat to eat?
The amount to feed your cat depends on your pet’s age, size and activity level. Feeding guidelines, which list the daily-recommended portion, are included on all IAMS™ packages. Start feeding with this amount and adjust according to your pet’s needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day.
What is the best way to introduce a new diet to my cat?
When changing your cat’s diet, it’s important to introduce the new food slowly. Start by offering your cat’s daily portion in a ratio of 25% new food to 75% old food. During the next three days, gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old.
Cat feeding guide for wet and dry food
Once you have understood your own cats’ feeding guide based on age and other factors, it is important to figure out what kind of food to pick - wet or dry. Both these types of foods have their unique benefits, and each one can prove necessary for different stages of a cat’s life to fulfil nutritional requirements. Since each of these types of food finds its place in a cat’s feeding guidelines, let’s take a closer look.
Benefits of wet food for cats
Wet food is an excellent treat that can be fed alone or mixed with dry food. Wet food is good for cats for the following reasons:
- Ensures that cats stay hydrated
- Keeps their urinary health in check
- Has a delicious taste that cats love
- Comes with more variations than dry food
Benefits of dry food for cats
Dry food comprises kibbles made with ingredients that are generally preferred by cats. Dry food is easier to use to feed cats and can be given with a food dispenser. This type of food also has a longer shelf life. Here are some more benefits of dry food for your feline friend.
- Serves as a grazing snack to have in between meals
- The crunchy texture of dry food also promotes healthy teeth and gums and provides overall good oral hygiene
Is it necessary to feed both wet and dry food?
Although our wet cat foods are nutritionally complete and balanced for a cat’s diet, it is not necessary to offer wet food at every feeding. Our dry foods are formulated with high-quality protein sources such as chicken, lamb or fish and contain all the essential nutrients pets need.
You can also consult your vet regarding your cat’s feeding guidelines, and they will make changes if necessary. Also, it is best to consult your vet before making any major changes in your cat’s meals, like adding or switching to raw food diet for cats. Your vet may conduct a nutritional evaluation of your cat to determine what food they require.
Will my cat be bored eating the same food all the time?
No — boredom with food is a human trait. Cats are creatures of habit and usually are content with just one food. Cats generally eat to meet their energy or nutritional needs. They have very short digestive systems, and if their diet is abruptly or constantly changed, digestive disturbances can occur. Also, constant changes can make your pet a finicky eater.
Is it ok to moisten dry food?
Adding water will not change the nutritional value of dry cat food. However, once moisture is added the food should be eaten relatively soon, and any uneaten portion should be discarded to avoid spoilage. Feeding your cat dry food is usually encouraged because of the benefit to your cat’s dental health.
Will it hurt cats or dogs if they eat each other’s food?
Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and should not eat each other’s food. For example, cats require a much higher level of taurine in their diet. An occasional venture into each other’s bowls will not be harmful but is not recommended on a regular basis.
Can I supplement your pet foods with vitamins, minerals, oils, etc.?
Our foods are nutritionally complete and balanced. Adding vitamins, minerals or oils can offset the balance the food provides. One of the benefits of feeding a high-quality product is that it has been carefully balanced in proper ratios to provide optimal nutrition, so nothing needs to be added.
How can I learn more about pet nutrition?
Contact the IAMS Pet Care and Nutrition Specialists toll-free at 1-800-675-3849.
