Introduction
Free feeding is when you provide your cat unlimited access to dry food at all times. This means leaving a bowl of dry food out that your cat can eat from whenever they want. Some benefits of free feeding include convenience, allowing cats to eat small meals throughout the day, and avoiding begging from your cat at mealtimes. However, there are also some potential downsides such as overeating leading to obesity, problems with monitoring food intake and nutrition, and difficulty transitioning to a scheduled feeding routine if needed.
This article provides an overview of the pros and cons of free feeding cats to help pet owners decide if it is the right approach for their feline friend.
Pros of Free Feeding
One of the main benefits of free feeding is that cats can eat whenever they feel hungry. As natural hunters, cats prefer to graze throughout the day rather than eat large meals. With free feeding, food is available at all times so cats can eat according to their internal hunger cues. This more closely mimics how they would naturally forage and hunt in the wild. As noted by PetMD, “One of the obvious advantages of free choice feeding is that food is available to cats at all times.”
Free feeding may also help prevent overeating in some cats. When fed on a schedule, some cats will voraciously eat their entire meal at once. But with free access to food, these cats may learn to nibble throughout the day rather than binge eat. As explained by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, “Because food is available at all times, some cats may graze and eat small amounts throughout the day rather than gorging at mealtime.”
Additionally, free feeding offers convenience for owners. There’s no need to stick to strict meal times or measure out portions. Owners can simply keep the food bowl filled and let the cat eat at will. According to Catster, “It’s easy on the owner — no worrying about mealtimes, portion sizes or your cat meowing for food.” This simplicity makes it an attractive option for many cat owners.
Cons of Free Feeding
One of the main downsides of free feeding is that some cats may overeat when given unlimited access to food. According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, free feeding cats can lead to overeating and obesity, especially if the amount of food is not limited [1]. Cats that graze on food all day tend to consume more calories than necessary. As Red Dog Blue Kat points out, this increased calorie intake leads to obesity and diabetes in many free fed cats [2].
Another downside is that free feeding makes it harder to monitor a cat’s food intake and health. Since the food is available at all times, it can be difficult to track how much a cat is actually eating each day. This prevents owners from being able to adjust portions if a cat becomes overweight. It also prevents monitoring appetite changes that could signify health issues.
Ideal Weight
Obesity is a major health concern for cats, and can lead to many problems including diabetes, skin issues, difficulty fighting infections, and osteoarthritis (VCA Hospitals). Overweight cats are at higher risk for complications during anesthesia, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, and cancer (VCA Hospitals).
According to experts, you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily with minimal fat covering. You should see a waistline from above, and your cat’s belly should be tucked when viewed from the side. Middle-aged, neutered, indoor cats are most at risk for obesity (PetMD). If your cat has no waist, a sagging belly, and excessive fat over the ribs, they are likely overweight.
Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure about your cat’s ideal weight. They can help assess your cat’s body condition score and determine if they are at a healthy weight.
Portion Control
When feeding a cat, it’s important to monitor and regulate appropriate portions. The general recommendation is to feed about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of food per day for an average-sized adult cat weighing around 10 pounds (140 to 250 calories) (Roover). But portion sizes can vary based on your cat’s age, size, and activity level. Kittens, for example, need smaller, more frequent meals.
There are two main ways to feed cats – set meals or free feeding. With set meals, you give your cat a measured amount of food at specific meal times. This allows you to more closely monitor how much your cat is eating daily. Free feeding involves leaving dry food out at all times for your cat to graze on. While free feeding may seem easier, it can lead to overeating and obesity if portions aren’t controlled. Set meals, ideally two a day, allow for better regulation of food intake (Preventive Vet).
Food Type
When choosing between wet and dry food, both have their advantages. Dry food is more affordable and convenient, while wet food has higher moisture content which can help with hydration. According to Dr. Jensen cited at https://www.catster.com/cat-food/is-free-feeding-cats-the-best-way-to-feed-your-cat/, cats tend to prefer wet food since their wild ancestors ate prey that was 70% moisture. However, dry food can be left out for free feeding more easily.
Look for high-quality protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, or eggs as the first ingredient when selecting either wet or dry foods. Avoid by-products, artificial flavors and colors. Some recommended brands for healthy ingredients are Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, and Nature’s Variety. Grain-free options may be better for cats with allergies. Always check with your vet before changing your cat’s diet.
Routine
Establishing a feeding routine is important for your cat’s health and wellbeing. Cats thrive on regular mealtimes and a consistent routine (VCAA, n.d.). Most experts recommend feeding adult cats two meals per day, once in the morning and once at night (Purina, 2017). For kittens under 6 months, it’s best to feed three to four small meals throughout the day. Place your cat’s food bowls in a consistent location, ideally in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home.
Feeding your cat at the same times each day will help them better regulate their appetite. Cats can become distressed when mealtimes are unpredictable. Sticking to a regular schedule also makes it easier for you to monitor your cat’s food intake and health. Just be sure to remove uneaten wet food after 20-30 minutes.
Health Concerns
Free feeding may be unsuitable for cats with certain medical conditions. Obesity is one of the main concerns, as free feeding can lead to overeating and weight gain in cats (https://www.reddogbluekat.com/post/free-feeding-4-reasons-why-grazing-is-harming-your-cat). Obesity puts cats at higher risk for diabetes, joint problems, heart disease, and other conditions.
Cats with diabetes need scheduled, portion-controlled feedings to regulate blood sugar. Free feeding makes it difficult to monitor food intake and give insulin accordingly (https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/nutrition-feeding/dangers-of-free-feeding-cats).
Kidney disease is another condition where free feeding is not recommended, as affected cats need low phosphorus, low protein diets. Free feeding makes it hard to control nutritional intake for cats with kidney issues.
Additionally, free feeding dry food worsens dehydration in cats with medical conditions, as they do not drink enough water to offset the effects of dry food. Scheduled wet food feedings help increase moisture intake (https://nutrisourcepetfoods.com/uncategorized/why-not-free-feed-your-cat/).
Kittens and Seniors
Kittens and senior cats have special nutritional needs that need to be considered when deciding on feeding approaches. Kittens under 12 weeks should be fed at least 4 times a day, as their small stomachs can’t hold large amounts of food at once (Cats.com). Free feeding dry food can work for kittens over 8 weeks, but portion sizes should be monitored as overeating can lead to gastrointestinal issues and obesity (Hill’s Pet).
For senior cats, scheduled meal times are often recommended over free feeding. This allows better monitoring of appetite changes that can indicate health issues (Quora). Senior cats also have specific nutritional needs, like easy digestibility and increased protein, that are best met through age-appropriate cat foods. Portion control is also important to prevent weight gain and obesity-related illnesses.
In summary, free feeding requires close monitoring in kittens and seniors to ensure proper nutrition and health. Scheduled feedings allow for better regulation of portion sizes and appetite monitoring in these life stages.
Conclusion
In summary, free feeding cats has its pros and cons. The main benefits are convenience, allowing your cat to eat whenever hungry, and preventing begging behaviors. However, free feeding can make it harder to monitor your cat’s food intake and weight. It may also lead to overeating or obesity in some cats.
The ideal approach depends on your specific cat. Kittens and senior cats often do better with set mealtimes to ensure adequate nutrition. Healthy adult cats that self-regulate well are the best candidates for free feeding. Consider your cat’s age, weight, activity level, and health status when deciding on feeding styles.
Overall, free feeding can work well when properly managed, but should be approached with caution. Monitor your cat’s weight closely and be prepared to switch to scheduled feedings if needed. Portion control, routine weigh-ins, and selecting the right food type are key to making free feeding a success.