What I mean is, for about 5 years now, we have just kept the food out as a "free for all", they could eat when they wanted. Would it be O.K. to switch to a scheduled meal time? And how often should I feed them? In the morning, and at dinner time? I know I should ask a vet, but I'd like some cat owner's advice first.
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2007-03-26 18:21:45 · 8 answers · asked by Daniel B 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
It's a good idea! It's preferable to feed at least twice a day, but you can certainly go more.
Of necessity, I feed in the morning when I get up (5:30am) and then they get dinner around 3:30-4:00pm.
Before switching, try to get an idea of how much you're currently feeding so you know how to divide it up when you change. Adjust up or down as necessary.
2007-03-27 02:04:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this is fine. The first week, they may be a bit annoying - but they are smart and will learn when food is put out. I feed my cats 1/2 can each in the morning and then about 4 or 5 I give them a cup and a half of dry to share and pick that up an hour later. They clear out the canned in the morning ;)
I don't see the need though - unless you have a Fatty McFatty, like I do - I love her, but she answers to fatty - sorry :( Or if there is a health problem. If your cat/s seem fine - you shouldn't even have to worry about it.
2007-03-26 18:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Willalee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We have done that before. A free for all. Then we started feeding them 3 times a day. And we would pick up the food and put it away. But our schedules changed. So its kind of a free for all again. We only put food in bowls at breakfast and dinner time. So if they eat it all, they get no more until dinner. But I think they have learned to save some to munch on later in the day.
I don't think its a big deal to do this. Our vet told us to do it cuz one of the 3 is fat. We just changed to a light food for all of them and don't give them as much food to munch on all day.
2007-03-26 18:27:36 · answer #3 · answered by Shell 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cats are grazers by nature and prefer food to be available when they want it. You can put less in the bowls at one time so they have to ask you for it though. It helps keep the ant problem down in the summer. (I know one time I got one of those giant cat feeders and filled it with a whole bag of dry cat food. It seemed to go down awfully fast but the cat wasn't gaining weight so I ignored it. Some weeks later I opened a drawer I rarely open and lo and behold! T O N S of cat food stolen by an industrious mouse and carted across the room and into the drawer. I scooped it all back into a large tin with a tight lid. I often wondered how the poor mouse felt when he came back to find his gigantic stash gone!) but I digress. Cats like to hit the bowls several times a day so they may not like your new system much.
2007-03-26 18:36:11 · answer #4 · answered by MissWong 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Unless they're obese, don't.
"Cats are efficient eaters. They eat to satisfy their need for energy then stop eating when that energy demand is met. So cats tend to eat small but frequent meals. Owners can usually leave food out and not worry about a cat overeating. "
2007-03-26 19:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it's not ok for me because I have a pet to we feed him everyday a dogfood after 3 years we change it to a "free for all" she does'nt like it so we back again to the dogfood. But just try it's just my opinion
2007-03-26 18:31:14 · answer #6 · answered by The Thing 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
at the cattery I work at we feed morning biscuits which can be left out, then in the evening wet food. this suits most cats
2007-03-26 18:27:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is okay to change their diet only if you are feeding them healthier foods.
2007-03-26 18:27:18 · answer #8 · answered by Eason W 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋