Cats tend to overeat. Even though it depends on each cat and their love for food, most of them will keep eating as long as you keep serving food. That’s why you need to keep the cat food under control.
When it comes to cats out in nature, they get to eat every once in a while after hunting for several hours – that’s why they have every right to feast when it’s time to get a meal.
House cats, on the other hand, will act the same way (they are wired to do so!) but it’s not like the meal will stop anytime soon – unless you stop serving.
Why are my cats hungry all the time?
Your cats aren’t exactly hungry when they are willing to eat or ask for food, they simply want to keep eating – and there’s a difference there. A cat doesn’t know whether it’ll find food tomorrow or the day after, so they’ll keep eating just in case.
Sometimes, your cats are going to be hungry, though – but you have to remember that meowing for food doesn’t happen out of hunger most of the time. As long as you keep that in mind (and food under control), your cats will have healthy eating habits.
How do I stop my cat from overeating?
The only way to keep cats from overeating is by controlling their food. There’s no way to train a cat to abstain from eating. You have to serve small meals, multiple times per day, and cut the food short once they’ve reached their daily intake.
Cats benefit from eating multiple times per day. It’s better for their digestive system and it helps them keep their weight under control.
You can either serve small meals throughout the day or you can buy a machine to do it for you. Either way, they’ll enjoy the food every time!
How much should I feed my cat per day?
A healthy cat needs 24 to 35 calories per pound of bodyweight. You should not feed your cat all at once, though. Five to seven meals per day is the best way to do it. Keep in mind cats need water as much as they need food to be healthy.
Even though (roughly) 30 calories per pound of weight is an accurate estimate, it varies from cat to cat. There are active cats and couch potato cats – you have to figure out which one you are living with you and feed it accordingly.
Do cats ever feel full?
Cats do get full – but that doesn’t mean they will stop eating when they are. Some cats get full and keep eating and eating no matter what. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out when it comes to cat food portions.
Keep in mind that not all cats will keep eating after being full, though. The key is to calculate how much your cat truly needs and keep that under control. A treat here and there is okay, over-indulging is not.