Cats with feeding time vs. free access to food Which is better?

Have trouble determining the right way to feed your cat? You may be wondering: should I give my cat free access to food?

How do you feed your cat now? Do you have cats with free access to food? Do you set strict meal times, or do you combine the two strategies? Read on to learn about the three different ways pet parents feed their feline friends, as well as the pros and cons of each method.

Cats with feeding time

A feeding time means that you give your cat food only at specific times of the day. You can feed him dry or canned food this way.

Advantages.

You can carefully monitor what he eats, so it will be very easy to determine if your cat has changed in his appetite. Also, if you have the pleasure of living in a multi-cat household, all the cats will have access to food without one being dominant over the others; One cat could eat all the food and gain a lot of weight, while the other cat could be missing the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Disadvantages.

Cats may beg for food between their feeding times. Your cat can't control how much he eats at any given time. However, if you follow your vet's instructions for the correct amounts and feeding times, you will know that he is receiving the correct amounts of food and nutrients.

The most important.

Although kittens need to be fed up to three times a day, when the cat is an adult (from the age of one year), adult cats can eat several times a day, but feeding once or twice a day is really enough, according to experts. In fact, most cats should be fine eating just once a day. "A feline from the age of six months will have enough to eat food twice during the day, as long as its daily food ration is respected," explains Eroski Consumer magazine. Again, consult your vet before deciding on a feeding regimen.

If you have several cats, the ideal is for each one to have its own food and water dishes in a quiet space, away from busy areas and where the cat likes to be, recommends the Notigatos site. The reason is that cats prefer to be alone when they eat.

Cats with free access to food

If you're not considering other options, you may be wondering if free access to food is an acceptable method. When you give your cat free access to food, she has food available at all times. Remember that you can only use dry foods with this method because wet foods cannot be left out all day. If you notice that your cat is leaving dry food in his bowl for more than a day, you should discard it and replace it with fresh food.

Advantages.

Your cat can eat several small meals throughout the day, whenever she feels like it.

Disadvantages.

Cats with free access to food can overeat and become obese. It can also be hard to tell when your cat is having changes in her appetite, for better or worse. Also, if you have multiple cats, it can be hard to tell how much each one is eating.

The most important.

While free access to food can lead to weight gain if not managed properly, there are ways to do it that allow you to take your cat's weight and food into account. Make sure you carefully measure the amount of food he needs for the day. When the food runs out, don't refill the plate until the next day. This will teach your cat to eat throughout the day, instead of gobbling it all up at once. Another option for cats with free access to food is cat food dispensing toys with a fixed amount of food, so you can control how much and how often they eat. "Food dispensers offer entertainment, relaxation, and stimulation of the senses," explains the AnimalWised site.

Combined feeding

Mixed feeding can be defined as serving canned food as a meal twice a day and allowing free access to dry food.

Advantages.

Combination feeding allows your cat to eat several small meals at her own time. You can monitor his appetite, at least partially, when you serve him wet food. It also provides cats with the nutritional benefits of both dry and wet food.

Disadvantages.

Combination feeding, like free access to food, can often cause the cat to overeat and become obese, so it is important to measure the food put into the bowl and not refill it until the end of the day. next day. If you have multiple cats it can be difficult to control how much each cat eats, so any form of free access to food may not be the best Breakfast for Cats option.

The most important.

Both wet and dry food has advantages and disadvantages for your cat. For example, cats diagnosed with certain medical conditions, such as urinary and kidney problems, may benefit from higher moisture content in wet foods. Instead, dry food is better for the cat's teeth and easier to store. If you try combination feeding, consider using a challenge to give your cats a challenge when playing with their food.

If multiple cats live in your home, remember that the volume of food you serve should not exceed the total caloric needs of all cats each day. Otherwise, your cat or cats could be overweight, putting you at higher risk for other health problems.

No matter which method you choose, measure food every day to get better control of how much your cat is eating. You can find guidelines for how much your cat should eat each day on all bags of Hill's cat food and in the feeding guides on the product pages on Hill's website.