PupShiftCat feeding schedule for a family: who feeds the cat, and when
In short
Kittens usually do best with about three meals a day until around six months, and most adult cats do well with at least two measured meals. In a family, the trick is one daily amount, set times, and one place where everyone can see whether the cat has eaten, because cats are very good at asking twice.
Dogs who have been fed twice look happy. Cats who have been fed twice look exactly like cats who haven’t been fed at all. That’s why cat feeding in a busy house needs a little more system than you’d think.
How many meals, by age
- Kittens: the Cornell Feline Health Center says kittens usually do best with three meals a day until they are about six months old, because they need more food per pound of body weight while they grow. VCA notes that three to four small meals can help.
- Adult cats: the most common recommendation, VCA says, is at least two meals a day.
- Special cases: some cats need to eat at set times, for example with diabetes or with medication given in food. There, your vet sets the schedule.
Measure the day, then split it
Measure the whole day’s food in the morning and split it into the meals. VCA suggests the same for cats who like to graze. Everyone feeds from that day’s portion, so even if two people answer the same meow, the cat can’t eat more than the day allows.
The cat who asks twice
A cat at the bowl is not evidence. Before you feed, check whether someone already did. If your family uses PupShift, the cat’s tile shows the last meal, who gave it and when, and the app asks before a second meal within two hours.
Who feeds when
- Morning meal: the person who leaves last, so the cat isn’t fed at 6 and asking again at 8.
- Evening meal: the first person home.
- Water and litter are jobs too. Put them on the list, so they don’t quietly land on one person. Kids can often own fresh water.
Watch for changes
Set times make it easy to notice when a cat eats less or skips a meal. VCA notes that a change in eating habits can be an early sign of illness. If it happens, call your vet.
Where PupShift fits
A new cat on a PupShift board starts with two meals and the litter box in its schedule, and you can add your own buttons, like “Fresh water” or “Brushed”. Several cats? Each gets its own tile, schedule and log on the same board. Phones at home can ring for a late meal in the iPhone and Android app with alerts on.
This is general information, not a substitute for advice from a vet or trainer. If something seems wrong with your pet, call your vet.
Sources
- How often should you feed your cat? Cornell Feline Health Center
- Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Cat VCA Animal Hospitals