FAQs For Cats
Find a list of the most frequently asked questions related to feeding your cat or kitten, if we haven't answered your question please contact us where we will endeavour to provide you with the nutritional advice you need.
How long can I safely leave canned cat food out? My cats often do not eat a full serving of their canned cat food at one sitting. Sometimes I either don't have time or forget to take up the uneaten portion. How long can I safely leave canned cat food out?
The length of time you can leave canned cat food out depends on room temperature. In the summer, lacking air conditioning, it is not recommended to leave the food out no longer than 20 minutes, maximum. Likewise, in the winter, if the heater is on, or the food is in a warm kitchen, 20 minutes would apply. The absolute maximum under optimum temperature would be around 30 minutes.
Kittens, who should be given smaller meals more frequently, probably will finish their meal well before 15 minutes. It's better to give them only a tablespoon or two every three hours than to take a chance on spoiled food.
Canned food remaining in the can should be covered and refrigerated immediately after opening, and the next serving can be warmed, as most cats don't like cold food. They can be readily warmed with running water in the sink for a few minutes. An alternative would be to put the next serving in a microwavable dish, cover with plastic wrap, and warm on a low setting for a short time. You don't want to heat the food, but warm it to room temperature.
How much food do I have to feed to meet an adult cat's daily requirements?
Unfortunately there is no hard and fast answer to your question. Nutritional requirements for cats vary, even for cats of the same age. Factors that may affect nutritional requirements for cat food include:
The Cats Weight
A 4kg cat with a muscular build and large bone structure will require more calories and associated nutrients to maintain his weight than a nine pound cat with a more slender build. Likewise, a cat who needs to gain or lose weight will need differing quantities of food.
The Cats activity level
Likewise, two identical 4kg cats as described above will vary in their requirements, depending on their activity. A three year old cat who races around the house may require more than an eight year old who sleeps most of the day.
The Cats Food Content
Fish flavors in particular, should be fed in minimal amounts. Although most cats love the taste of fish, an exclusive fish diet has the potential for harm. The Cornell Feline Health Center says, "Diets containing large quantities of fish can cause yellow-fat disease (steatitis), a result of vitamin E deficiency." This is especially true with the lower quality fish protein often used in cat food. If your cat enjoys fish, try eliminating fish-flavored cat food; instead, give him a small treat of human-quality albacore tuna occasionally.
The Quality of the Cat Food
As a rule, many cats fed a high quality premium cat food will eat less than they did on poor-quality "grocery store" food. Their bodies have an innate ability to judge when they have reached the proper nutritional level, and they will stop eating when they reach that level. As a result, feeding these high quality foods has the added result of making them actually more economical.
Supplemental Dry Food
Cats that are "free-fed" with dry food in addition to their regular meals of canned food, will eat less of the canned food.
To make it easier for you, most cat food cans and packages give you a feeding guidelines printed right on the package. Alternatively, you can check the web sites of the food manufacturers.
Generally, if your cat seems healthy and active, and is not constantly begging for food, you can assume that he is getting the proper amount of food, especially if the quality of food is superior.
Should I feed my cat dry food or canned food?
In the best case scenario, you would prepare a diet for your cat which resembles closely the sorts of things cats eat in the wild: fresh meat, in the form of chicken or rabbit, including organs and fat, and very small amounts of grain.
However, you may not have the time and inclination to do so, and there are some very acceptable alternatives in the form of premium brands of canned cat foods.
Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your cat when feeding dry foods. He will need the extra moisture he would normally get in canned food. Automatic water dispensers are excellent for this purpose.
Is Milk Okay for my Cat? My cat enjoys milk, and I give her a small amount two or three times a week. Will this help or harm her? I've read somewhere that milk is not good for cats.
Generally speaking, milk is not recommended for adult cats, as many of them are lactose-intolerant, and have problems digesting it.
However, If she's not throwing up or having diarrhea, she's probably okay with it. Some experts advise that cream is better than regular milk if you must give it to cats, probably because cream has less lactose than whole or skim milk. But again, a small amount of skim milk seems to be okay for your kitty, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Can I feed my cat table scraps?
It is strongly advised NOT to feed your cat table scraps for several reasons:
- Some human foods are toxic to cats, even in small amounts, such as onions or chocolate.
- Most human food is either too highly spiced, or too fat-laced to be good for cats. Even though the food may smell appealing, tummy aches or vomiting might be the end result.
- A cat regularly fed human food will either lose his taste for his own food, or be too full to eat it. Either way, he will lose the essential nutrients, including taurine, so necessary for cats to survive and thrive.
- Allowing cats to eat "at the table" is creating your own home-grown monster. You may find your guests appalled at having a cat at the table, and your cat will be miffed at being banished.
How often should I feed my cat?
There is no quick and easy answer to the frequency with which a given cat or kitten should be fed, as your own home environment will play a large part in how you handle feeding, as well as the type of food a cat eats. For example, a stay-at-home caregiver will be able to feed canned food to kittens or geriatric cats several times a day. On the other hand, a single, working owner or a two-income family will rely more on dry cat food, with early-morning and late-night supplements of canned food.
Frequency to Feed Kittens
Kittens need roughly twice the nutrients of adult cats, for both growth and energy. Obviously, their tummies cannot handle large quantities of food, so much like human babies they need frequent feedings at first, tapering off as they grow. It is important during this time to weigh the kittens regularly, to ensure they are gaining regularly, but not becoming overly fat. Their hunger will usually be a pretty good guideline for determining if they are getting enough nutrition. Note: These guidelines refer to feedings of canned food; dry food will be addressed later.
- At 6 Weeks: Four or more small feedings, spaced regularly throughout the day.
- 12 Weeks: Increase the amount of each meal, and gradually space them out to three meals a day.
- Around 6 Months:You may gradually space out the meals to twice daily.
Adult Cats
Unless a kitten is showing excessive weight gain, he is considered an "adult" at the age of one year, and for the next nine years or so, may be fed adult "maintenance" food twice daily, with supplements of dry food when needed, as listed below.
Dry Food
Dry food is more for the convenience of the caregiver than for the nutritional needs of the cat. However, in the past, cats have lived long and happy lives on an exclusive diet of dry foods, and for working caregivers, adult cats may be fed a meal of canned food morning and night, with dry food left out for "grazing."
Geriatric & Special Needs Cats
Older cats and cats with conditions requiring specific dietary needs may need to be fed more often. It is best with these cats to follow your veterinarian's directions for feeding, both to schedule and type of food.
Can I feed my cat dog food?
I can answer this question with an unequivocal "no." Cats have very explicit nutritional needs, including taurine, and dog food simply does not contain the sorts of ingredients needed by cats to meet those needs.
Perhaps your question was prompted by a desire for the convenience of feeding your cat and dog the same food, or as a means of saving money. If so, you've missed the mark entirely. In the long run, the veterinary bills you'll run up in treating a malnourished cat will far outnumber the small savings you might gain by feeding it dog food.
Should I feed my cat on a fixed schedule?
Although cats in the wild (feral cats) take their food when and where they can find it, domestic cats very much like schedules: a time for sleep, a time for play, and most definitely, a time to eat.
Ideally, then, it would be best for you to establish a regular schedule for feeding your cat. Be careful when doing so, though, that the schedule is realistic, or you will be faced with a crabby cat when dinnertime comes around and you've been delayed in getting home. Also, try to schedule the final meal of the day after you've shared some bonding time with your cat, in the form of petting, brushing, play, or just carrying him around. You don't want your cat to look on you as primarily a food source, but as a friend and companion.
