- This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
How often you should feed your cat is a big question—and it doesn’t have a simple answer. A cat’s ideal meal schedule will depend on a variety of factors, including their age, health, and the type of food they eat. You should also consider your own schedule and the feeding method you prefer, whether that’s meal-feeding, free-feeding, or a combination of the two.
Since it’s so important that your cat receives the right amount of food, at the right time, and in the right way, we consulted two veterinarians for some basic guidelines. Here’s everything you should know about your cat’s meal frequency—plus, some answers to common issues along the way.
How Often Should You Feed an Indoor Cat?
A cat’s digestive system is designed to handle multiple small meals throughout the day. As Dr. Kathryn Dench, Chief Veterinary Advisor at Paw Origins explains, cats in the wild prey on small animals—like rodents and insects—and their feeding schedule is unpredictable. “As such, all cats benefit from a ‘little and often’ approach to food,” she tells Rover.
Every cat’s meal schedule will look a little different, depending on a few key factors. We outline the main considerations below.
Age
A cat’s age plays a major role in determining their ideal meal frequency. Growing kittens require more energy than adults and senior cats, so they need to be fed more frequently throughout the day, typically between three to four times. On the other hand, adult cats and seniors usually do well with just two daily meals.
Health
Cats with certain health conditions may need specialized feeding schedules. Dr. Dench explains that cats with diabetes or kidney disease may require more frequent, smaller meals to regulate their metabolism and kidney function.
Pregnancy & nursing
Pregnancy and nursing put high demands on a cat’s body. These kitties need more nutrients and calories to avoid depletion. According to Dr. Dench, pregnant and nursing cats can benefit from more frequent meals or ad libitum feeding to support their increased caloric needs.
Type of food
The rates at which dry and wet food spoil will also affect feeding schedules—especially for cat parents who are away from home during the day. “Wet food is more perishable and thus dictates short, more frequent feeding intervals compared to dry food, which is suitable for slightly longer intervals,” says Dr. Dench.
Your schedule
Your cat’s meals can also be planned around your own routine. If you work a traditional 9 to 5, and your cat is on a twice-daily feeding schedule, you can feed them once when you wake up in the morning and again when you return home in the evening.
The goal is to be consistent—so if you work erratic hours, or you’re away from home and your cat needs a mid-day lunch, an automatic cat feeder can help. Dr. Dench explains that these safely ensure cats are fed regularly without disruption.
A Cat Feeding Guide Per Life Stage
As noted above, a cat’s age plays a major role in how often they should eat. We break down the general guidelines for how often kitties should be fed throughout their life cycle.
Kittens should eat at least 3-4 meals daily
Kittens grow fast and have a very high level of activity, so they require more food per pound of body weight than adult cats. This means they need more frequent meals—otherwise, their blood sugar can drop very quickly, says Dr. Dench.
Generally, kittens in the early stages of weaning should be allowed free access to food between suckling from their mother, says Dr. Heidi Parrish, a veterinarian at Mars Pet Nutrition. “During the later stages of weaning, kittens can begin to feed every four to six hours during a 16-hour day, with the first meal given early in the morning,” says Dr. Parrish. This works out to four meals per day.
When kittens reach eight to ten weeks of age, Dr. Parrish says they can drop from four meals per day to three. At four to six months, you can check with your vet to see if your kitten is ready to transition to twice-daily feedings. Dr. Parrish emphasizes that these transitions should be made with the guidance of your veterinarian, as each kitten is unique.
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Most adult cats can go down to two meals a day
Cats are generally considered adults when they reach one year of age. At this stage, Dr. Dench says cats have better blood sugar control. Therefore, most healthy adult cats can get by with two meals per day. Since cats are crepuscular creatures, it’s ideal to feed them at their normal hunting times (i.e., dawn and dusk), if your schedule allows.
While two daily meals is the norm for many adult cats, some may still benefit from smaller meals spread out throughout the day. “If it is possible to offer four smaller meals, this fits their physiology better,” explains Dr. Dench.
Most senior cats can keep a twice-daily feeding schedule
The American Animal Hospital Association recognizes cats over the age of 10 as seniors. Many senior cats can maintain the same feeding schedule used during middle age. However, some senior cats may benefit from more frequent smaller meals—especially if they have medical conditions that affect their metabolism or digestion.
“In my clinical experience, around 25% of senior cats benefit significantly from adjusted feeding schedules tailored to their health needs,” says Dr. Dench. It’s important to monitor your senior cat’s weight and overall health and work with your veterinarian to decide between twice-daily meals or more frequent feedings.
Frequency & Feeding Times: Commonly Asked Questions
Our experts offer some advice on how to troubleshoot common issues with meal schedules.
Should I leave food out for my cat all day?
Cats are natural grazers. Before they started living with people, cats were opportunistic carnivores, eating whatever and whenever they liked. While there is an obvious benefit to free feeding in terms of convenience for us, most kitties will take advantage of that and end up eating too much.
As Dr. Dench points out, free feeding might work for (and even benefit) cats who self-regulate well—but it’s not ideal for cats prone to overeating.
Just as with humans, obesity is an epidemic and can lead to very serious health problems for your kitty. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, around 60 percent of cats are obese, so it’s important to stop the problem before it starts.
If you want to free feed, always measure the amount of food you leave out, and don’t refill the bowl once it’s gone. This should encourage your kitty to graze all day, rather than wolf down their food in one sitting.
Another thing to keep in mind is that free feeding can make it harder to observe fluctuations in appetite. “Since pets cannot talk to us, monitoring their appetite is a helpful way to assess overall health status,” explains Dr. Parrish.
Can kittens eat all they want?
While growing kittens need ample nutrition, Dr. Dench still recommends measuring their portions. After the weaning period, carefully calibrated meals prevent overeating and excessive weight gain.
Is it okay to feed my cat three (or more) times a day?
“Absolutely,” confirms Dr. Dench. “Smaller, more frequent meals can help maintain a healthy metabolic rate, prevent obesity, and stabilize energy levels throughout the day.”
Dr. Parrish adds that when feeding multiple meals, it’s important to make sure the total volume fed does not exceed the cat’s recommended intake for the day.
What should I do if my cat doesn’t finish meals all at once?
If your cat is leaving food in their bowl, Dr. Dench says it’s best to evaluate the portion size and your cat’s preference for the food type. It may be that you’re just serving too much—or you’re serving a food that your cat doesn’t like. “Adjusting the portion sizes may also help ensure the food is fresh and appealing each time,” adds Dr. Dench. Your cat could also prefer to graze and may return to their food bowl several times over a few hours.
What if my cat is always hungry?
Dr. Parrish says that an increase in appetite can be normal in pets who have high energy requirements (such as growing kittens), cats who exercise strenuously, or those who are pregnant or nursing. “Increased appetite is not normal when a pet loses weight despite eating more, or when a kitten fails to grow despite eating more,” she says.
Dr. Dench points out that persistent hunger may be a sign of underlying issues like worms or metabolic disorders. If your cat is always hungry despite following feeding guidelines, the first step is a thorough examination by your vet.
If medical issues are ruled out, you may also need to evaluate your cat’s diet. “For healthy cats, ensuring a balanced diet and considering low-calorie foods designed to satiate can help manage hunger,” says Dr. Dench. To manage begging behaviors, Dr. Parrish recommends focusing on mental enrichment. Try using puzzle feeders or training your cat to keep them engaged.
How often should I feed my cat wet food vs. dry food?
Many cat parents choose to offer a combination of wet and dry food. This can be beneficial to a cat’s overall health, as it provides hydration through wet food and dental benefits from crunchy kibble. Dr. Dench recommends feeding one meal of wet food per day, keeping dry food available for grazing throughout the day. “This system supports the cat’s needs while allowing flexibility in feeding times, especially for owners with varying schedules.”
