Pets Pride-Blog

How much should my cat eat?

Hoeveel moet mijn kat eten?

It goes without saying that our cats need food. But there’s more to it than just feeding them. The right amount and the right nutrients are crucial to their health and well-being. So what do we all need to consider? And what is the right amount of kibble? We have the answers!

Kittens :

There are different recommendations for each age group. Kittens go through rapid growth and development in a short period of time. This requires a specific feeding schedule with lots of calories , fats, vitamins and water. Up to 4 weeks old, kittens will only drink from their mother. If the mother is no longer in sight, this will have to be done by means of a bottle. After 4 weeks, they can gradually start eating solid food. The advice is to give a portion of high-quality kitten food four times a day. By regularly refilling the feeding bowl, your kitten always has access to food as soon as their energy level is a bit lower. Then they can continue to climb, jump and run around energetically !

Adult cats :

Adult cats have very different nutritional needs. They are not growing or developing much anymore. The calories therefore need to be reduced considerably! Adult cats do well on a balanced diet with a combination of dry and wet food. The amount of food depends very much on your cat. Is it an outdoor cat that walks for miles every day, or is it an indoor cat that just sleeps all day? You can imagine that an outdoor cat needs more energy than an indoor cat. In addition, there are other factors to take into account, such as weight, size, whether they are sterilized and whether they have any health problems or allergies. A general guideline is to give about 20 calories per pound of body weight per day. But again: this is a general guideline. Always check the guidelines on the bag of food. If you have any doubts, you can always consult a veterinarian. An automatic feeder can help you gain insight into the amount of food your cat is getting and eating. Then you don't have to weigh it yourself every day!

Senior cats :

As cats get older, their metabolism usually slows down and they become less active. Their nutritional needs also change, as they need fewer calories. Health problems can also occur, such as joint pain and bad teeth. Many older cats also suffer from weight loss or weight gain. If in doubt, always consult a veterinarian so that your cat can enjoy its old age in a healthy way and with the right food!

Obesity :

Unfortunately, obesity is common in cats. Obesity can lead to various health problems and that is really not fun for your cat. One of the causes is that a cat quickly becomes too heavy, while owners do not realize it. Healthy cats are sometimes even seen as thin! Other causes are overfeeding , lack of exercise and unhealthy food . To tackle obesity, you should look closely at the calorie intake of your cat. In addition, regular exercise should be stimulated. If you have difficulty reducing your cat's weight, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. In addition, an automatic feeder can also help. By setting a maximum number of feedings, you can ensure that your cat cannot overeat.

Signs of overnutrition or malnutrition :

It is important that your cat gets the right amount of food so that he or she can live the best life possible. Weight gain, laziness and a lack of appetite are signs that your cat is eating too much . A lack of appetite seems a bit contradictory. However, if your cat is used to always eating completely full, he or she will no longer have an appetite at that moment. Signs of malnutrition are weight loss, very hungry and a lack of energy. Please note that the above signs can also have another underlying cause. So if in doubt, always sound the alarm! But for a healthy cat, there must be a proper balance between food intake and exercise. With an automatic feeder , you can monitor how much your cat eats. Via an app, you can set feeding schedules that are completely in line with your cat's needs. And if those needs change? Then you can easily adjust the schedule again!

The right amount of food and the right nutrients are crucial for the health of our cats. Whether you have a kitten or a senior cat, every cat has its own (energy) needs. A proper balance is key. No overfeeding and no underfeeding. An automatic feeder is an ideal tool to give the right amount of food to your cat. You have insight every day. In addition, it saves weighing and keeping an eye on the time every day. All you have to think about is cuddling and cuddling with your fluffy ball!