How Much Food Should a Cat Eat Per Day?
Other People Are Reading
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Guidelines on the Package Can Help
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According to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, reading the label is a good first step in determining how much to feed your cat. "These guidelines usually provide estimates of the quantity to feed for several different ranges in body size," says the college.
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It Depends on the Cat
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According to Cornell University Feline Health Center, no two cats are alike, so the quantity may need to be adjusted if your cat appears to be gaining or losing too much weight. Kittens naturally require more food than older cats. Cornell University also warns cat owners who feed their cats both dry and wet food to make sure the cat isn't eating too much. You may need to cut back on the recommended amount of dry food if your cat also eats wet food.
Bottom Line
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Refer to the label's guidelines, but take your cat's age and response to the amount of food into consideration. Virginia-Maryland Regional recommends monitoring your cat's weight every two to four weeks. Changes in weight, stool color or the glossiness of the cat's coat could suggest nutritional imbalances.
References
- Photo Credit cat face image by Viktor Korpan from Fotolia.com
