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Does a cat need a feeding schedule or should it eat whenever it wants: important information
29.07.2023 17:29
Any cat owner has the opportunity to choose how to feed their pet: food can be always available, or it can be given out at a time.
We suggest you weigh the pros and cons to make the right choice for yourself.
Food is always available
This option is only suitable if you feed your pet dry food, which can sit in a bowl for a long time without spoiling.
The advantages are obvious: the cat will not beg for another portion of food, will not wake you up early in the morning if it is hungry, and you will not have to waste your precious time preparing breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the cat.
But there are some downsides. So, if you have two cats at home at once - an adult and a kitten, it is likely that they will mix up their food.
In addition, due to this feeding regimen, the animal itself chooses when it will spend time sleeping, and the sleep and wakefulness schedule may not coincide with the owner’s.
Feeding on a schedule
It is believed that if you feed your pet on a schedule, it will benefit the digestive system, since gastric juice will be secreted reflexively closer to the time when it is time for lunch.
Moreover, it is easier to train a cat using food as a reward. If your pet is sick and taking medication is associated with the process of eating (before, during or after eating), you can be sure that you are doing everything right.
Another positive aspect is that the cat will readily “play” with food puzzles, and time spent alone will not seem so boring to her.
True, this option is not always feasible - feeding on a schedule will not work if you are often away from home. This option is also considered more energy-consuming, because you will have to prepare the food and clean it out of the bowl to prevent spoilage.
