Feed Cats Only Twice a Day? Why This Harms Their Health
Many cat owners feed their pets twice a day: in the morning before leaving the house and in the evening when they return. However, this routine could have health implications, as cats in the wild consume many small meals throughout the day. PETBOOK editor and biologist Saskia Schneider explains whether you should feed your pet more frequently and what to consider when doing so.
Let's be honest: If your cat could decide how often you feed her each day, it would likely be more than once or twice. When cats were still keeping homes and farms free of rodents, this question didn't arise. Today, many people seem to align feeding times with those of dogs: once or twice a day. This schedule fits well into the daily routine of working individuals. However, it doesn't align with a cat's natural behavior and could potentially have health consequences, as veterinarian Dr. Dominique Tordy warns in a post. But what does the scientific research say? Should we really feed our cats more than twice a day?
How often a cat eats in the wild depends on various factors, primarily the availability of food. Observing the lifestyle of wild cats, their daily routine can be simplified as follows: sleep, hunt, eat, groom, sleep. This cycle can repeat several times a day–even at night. Studies have shown that even cats kept under controlled laboratory conditions typically consumed eight to sixteen meals throughout the day.
But what does this mean for our house cats? Would it really be better to feed them eight times a day? Or can we assume that cats adapt to our rhythm and habits?
In an Instagram post, Dr. Dominique Tordy, veterinarian and founder of the Medical-Security platform 'Pet Royalz,' recommends feeding cats more than twice a day. The cat's body is designed to digest small prey throughout the day. If cats receive only two large portions a day, a large amount of nutrients is absorbed at once, Dr. Tordy explains. The kidneys have to work hard, and many electrolytes are produced in the urine. These can form crystals or even larger stones in the bladder, potentially triggering the dreaded FLUTD.
The disease, known as 'Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease,' is an umbrella term for various conditions affecting the lower urinary tract of cats. It affects the bladder and urethra, often making it difficult for cats to urinate. Often, only a few drops come out, causing cats to frequently visit their litter box. Surveys suggest FLUTD is one of the main reasons cats visit the vet. 1, 2
Notably, indoor cats are usually affected, but rarely outdoor cats. The most commonly mentioned issues are bladder grit or a sterile bladder infection of unknown cause–without pathogens like bacteria, supporting Dr. Tordy's thesis. However, there are few studies examining the effect of feeding intervals on the development of FLUTD. Most discussions focus on the composition of the food. Nevertheless, it is recommended to feed small meals throughout the day to relieve the kidneys and prevent stone formation.2
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A post shared by Dr. Dominique M. Tordy (@dr_dominique_tordy)
If you're thinking, 'Then my cat should decide when and how much to eat,' you're mistaken. Free feeding is also strongly suspected of triggering FLUTD and is a major cause of obesity and diabetes in cats. Only some cats can eat only as much as they need.
Even if you observe your cat frequently visiting the bowl and eating small bites throughout the day, most still consume more calories than is good for them. It is estimated that about every second cat in Germany is overweight.3
Besides factors like neutering, age, exercise, and the ongoing debate of 'dry or wet food,' another significant factor determines why cats overeat when given the chance: boredom. Often, house cats do not receive the mental stimulation they need. If food becomes their only pleasure of the day, free feeding can end in disaster, creating a vicious cycle.
But how often should you feed your cat? Unfortunately, there is no universal answer. Feeding many small meals a day would most closely resemble how cats eat in the wild. However, it is often not easy to integrate into daily life and carries the risk of overfeeding. An average cat weighing four kilograms needs about 150 to 200 grams of wet food per day. Divided into four or eight meals, this would be less than 20 grams per portion in extreme cases. Even less for dry food. Estimating this amount by eye is hardly possible–everything would have to be meticulously weighed.
To add to the confusion: Some clinics and veterinarians even advise feeding the cat only once a day. This is based on a study from 2020, where animal nutrition specialists from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) found that feeding cats one large meal a day can help control hunger better. This could lead to less begging behavior.
And here lies another key point in my opinion on how often you should feed your cat. This question not only concerns health aspects but also significantly influences our pets' behavior.
Cats are creatures of habit. For them, it is crucial that feedings occur at the same time every day–whether two, three, or eight times. Whatever feeding intervals you choose, ensure you can reliably maintain these times. Using an automatic feeder can be helpful. These can be programmed for set times.
Fixed feeding times are important not only because a cat's stomach prepares for meals and produces more stomach acid. They also provide security. Especially if you integrate other fixed routines around feeding times. For example: first cuddling, then a wild play session, and then food. Such routines can even provide support during times of change–such as during a renovation or when a new family member arrives. 4
It is important to change feeding times when medically necessary. For instance, if the cat is prone to stomach acid and shouldn't fast for long. Then it's crucial to adjust feeding intervals gradually and not suddenly start a new routine. This could unsettle the cat.
While cats love routines, feeding should still be varied. A meal doesn't have to consist only of filling the bowl. Many cats love puzzle feeders. Some studies even show positive effects of food games on cats' behavior and well-being. However, they do not increase the animals' physical activity. So if you think your overweight cat could effectively lose weight with a food ball, you're mistaken.
There is no definitive answer to how often you should feed your cat. Looking at the animals' natural behavior, several small portions throughout the day would be ideal. The fact that the risk of urinary crystals increases when the animals' bodies receive a lot of food at once also supports feeding at least three meals a day.
However, there is no scientific evidence that cats fed more frequently are actually healthier or live longer. Besides physical health, mental health should also be considered. For many animals, feeding is a highlight of the day. So more should happen than just dumping food into the bowl. Before eating, there is usually hunting. Therefore, it is advisable to have a playtime before feeding or to make the cat work for its food. This also mentally challenges the animals and prevents boredom.
About the Author: Dr. Saskia Schneider holds a Ph.D. in biology. During her studies at the Free University of Berlin, she focused on zoology and animal behavior. In addition to training as an editor, she completed training as a behavior consultant specializing in cats.
The post Feed Cats Only Twice a Day? Why This Harms Their Health appeared first on PETBOOK.
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