How Often Should Cats Eat?

From kittenhood to their golden years, understanding how often cats should eat supports healthy routines. Whether you live with a playful indoor cat or an older feline who prefers napping to zoomies, finding the right feeding routine matters.

If you’ve been asking yourself “how often should cats eat?”, you’re not alone. Here’s a guide to help you choose a feeding schedule that suits your cat’s age, lifestyle and needs.

How Often Should Cats Eat?

Cats do best with a regular and predictable feeding routine. Most adult cats may eat two meals a day, but how often cats should eat changes with age. For kittens and senior cats, feeding frequency may need adjusting based on their age, energy levels, and health.

• Kittens (under 6 months): 3-4 small meals daily
• Adults (1–7 years): Twice a day
• Seniors (7+ years): Two or more smaller meals, depending on appetite and energy

Regular mealtimes help support healthy digestion and give structure to your cat’s day.

“Although cats may cope with meals 12 hours apart, wherever possible, it’s best to split your cats’ daily food ration over at least 5 to 6 meals a day. That’s because cats are naturally geared to eat 10-20 rodent-sized meals a day, so they’re less likely to be content, and more likely to vomit if they are going against their biology and fasting for 12 hours between meals”. – Jo The Cat Vet – Dr Jo Lewis MRCVS, The Cat Vet (thecatvet.co.uk)

Explore more about feeding kittens here.

How Much Should You Feed a Cat?

Every cat is unique. The amount they need depends on their size, age, and how active their bodies and hormones are. Always check the feeding guidelines on your cat food packaging as a starting point, and don’t be afraid to ask your cat’s vet for guidance with diet.

For portion control, especially if your cat needs to lose or maintain weight, using digital scales or a measuring scoop helps keep things consistent.

Try Applaws dry food – complete recipes with high protein and no added nonsense.

How to Feed Indoor Cats

Indoor cats may be less active than outdoor cats, so they tend to need fewer calories. It’s easy for indoor cats to snack out of boredom, so:

• Stick to set meal times
• Use puzzle feeders for mental stimulation
• Offer portion-controlled meals instead of free-feeding

Want to know more? Read our tips for indoor cat happiness.

Weight Loss Diet for Cats: What to Know

If your cat needs to lose weight, it’s best to speak to your vet first. They’ll help you set a healthy target weight and suggest a feeding plan.

You might be advised to:

• Switch to a lower-calorie food
• Offer smaller, more frequent meals
• Limit high-calorie treats

Don’t cut back drastically. Gradual changes work best – partly because avoiding hunger-related stress is essential for your cat’s wellbeing, but also because sudden excessive weight loss in cats can trigger a dangerous medical condition called hepatic lipidosis.

Portion Control for Cats

Overfeeding is easy to do especially when your cat gives you that look. Portion control keeps your cat at a healthy weight and supports long-term health.

• Measure food accurately
• Limit treats to no more than 10% of daily intake
• Keep a feeding chart if more than one person feeds your cat

Using a slow-feeding bowl or food puzzles can also make mealtimes more engaging and prevent overeating.

Expert Insight:

“Regular, predictable feeding routines and proper portion control are key to supporting your cat’s long-term health and wellbeing. Every cat is different, so it’s important to tailor their meals to their lifestyle and health needs.”  – Dr Jo Lewis MRCVS, The Cat Vet (thecatvet.co.uk)

Need More Cat Feeding Tips?

If you’re still wondering how often your cat should eat, or you’re looking to adjust their diet, our blog is full of helpful guides. Whether it’s understanding kitten teething, gut health, or supporting a happy indoor life, we’re here to help you feed their curiosity with care.

And remember, feeding naturally doesn’t have to be complicated. Our Applaws wet food is made with real protein and no hidden ingredients because we believe goodness starts in the bowl.