This Certified Feline Training And Behavior Specialist Is Discussing How Often You Should Really Be Feeding Your Cat, Since You’re Probably Not Feeding Enough
Shani (@wildatheartcats) is a certified feline training and behavior specialist, and she’s coming on TikTok to tell you that if you’re a cat owner, you’re probably not feeding your cat enough food.
Or, more accurately, you’re not feeding your cat as often as they should be eating throughout the day.
In her video, she breaks down the science behind cats’ eating habits so you can understand how to feed them in a way that is appropriate for their species.
In the wild, cats usually eat eight to twenty small meals per day, which would consist of little critters. On average, a mouse is only about thirty calories. That equates to ten to fifteen pieces of kibble or one ounce of wet cat food.
A cat’s stomach is technically the size of a ping pong ball, so they can’t eat much at one time. Shani estimates that most house cats eat two times a day.
This is not enough, and when cats aren’t getting the proper amount of food, it can lead to behavioral problems.
It’s difficult to be able to feed your cat multiple times a day, especially if you have to leave the house for work, but there are solutions that can help you feed your cat at least five times a day.
Experts say that cats should, at minimum, eat five times a day and eat mainly wet food. One way you can achieve this is by feeding your cat before getting ready for work. And then you can feed them again right before you leave for work.
Unlike dogs, cats are good about not overeating if you feed them enough times during the day. However, if your cat is only eating twice daily, they will frequently “scarf and barf,” which Shani explains is when your cat eats too fast and barfs food up afterward.
5second – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual cat
On the other hand, dogs will eat until they throw up, so it’s not viable to leave food out for them. Likewise, cats will eat until they’re full, then come back later to finish the rest of their food.
You can also use automatic feeders to make sure your cat can eat even when you’re not around. Some types of automatic feeders are sealed so that wet food stays fresh.
Another option is to use a treat dispensing ball that cats have to swat around to get the treats to fall out.
Fill the ball with frozen wet food, so it takes longer to get out and stays fresh throughout the day. When you return home from work, feed your cat immediately and again right before bedtime.
Do your best to feed your cat at least five times daily, and see how much happier they can be!
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