Adult Cat Feeding Schedule

[Vani]

Hello,

I’m switching my two kitties onto Darwin’s raw Turkey and Chicken. So far they seem to like the Turkey (mixed with their favorite cooked chicken as we transition).

My husband doesn’t want to mess with the raw meat so early in the morning so we are considering going from feeding twice a day to once a day in the evening.
I was wondering for optimal cat health, is it generally better to feed them twice a day or once a day, or does it just depend on the kitty?

Thanks,
Vanya

 

[Dr. Sara]

Small cats (wild and domestic) are predators eating small meals. Large cats eat large meals infrequently, small cats eat small meals frequently This means that two meals a day is more attuned to the natural dietary rhythm of domestic cats. There are certainly cats that do just fine on one meal a day, though the general suggestion is to feed two or three small meals per day.
Dr. Sara

 

[GinnyW]

Can you "plate" up the morning meal the night before, so that he can uncover and place it in the morning?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Thanks for sharing this important info Dr. Sara.

Great idea Ginny!

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

I recently came across this study:
The daytime feeding frequency affects appetite-regulating hormones, amino acids, physical activity, and respiratory quotient, but not energy expenditure, in adult cats fed regimens for 21 days