Bowlie / Guides / Cat feeding schedule: how often to feed a cat

Cat feeding schedule: how often to feed a cat

Most healthy adult cats do well on at least two meals a day, spaced no more than about 12 hours apart. Kittens need more frequent, smaller meals. Your vet is the best guide for your own cat, especially if they have a medical condition, but the schedule below is where most owners start.

How many meals a day, by age

Age	Meals a day	Notes
Kittens under 6 months	3 to 4	Small stomachs and fast growth mean little and often.
Kittens 6 to 12 months	2 to 3	Move towards adult meals with your vet's guidance.
Adult cats	At least 2	Many cats are happier with 3 or 4 smaller meals.
Senior cats	2 to 3 smaller meals	Helpful if appetite or digestion slows down.

VCA Animal Hospitals recommends at least two meals a day for adult cats, because after 8 to 10 hours an empty stomach starts sending hunger signals. Some cats do better with three or four meals, particularly cats that beg between meals or only eat a little at a time.

Why a routine matters

Cats are creatures of habit. Feeding at the same times each day gives them predictability, makes begging easier to manage, and makes it obvious when something changes. A cat who suddenly skips a meal or stops finishing food is worth watching, because a change in eating habits can be an early sign of illness.

A simple schedule that works

For a working household with an adult cat, a common pattern is:

Breakfast between 6am and 8am, before anyone leaves.
Dinner between 6pm and 8pm, about 12 hours later.
Optional small snack or puzzle feeder midday or before bed, taken out of the day's total so you don't overfeed.

Split the cat's daily amount across meals rather than adding food. The right daily amount depends on your cat's weight, body condition and the food's calories, so check the packet and ask your vet.

When more than one person feeds the cat

Schedules usually fall apart not because of the times, but because nobody knows whether the cat has already been fed. A cat is very good at convincing a second person it's starving. To keep a schedule on track:

Agree who usually does each meal.
Record each meal the moment it's given, somewhere everyone can see.
Check before feeding, not after.

That's what Bowlie does: one tap marks a meal as fed for everyone in the house, and reminders stay quiet once a cat has eaten. See also how to stop double-feeding your cat.

Sources

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat's needs.

Coming soon to iPhone