Instructions
Evaluate the Food
Talk with your veterinarian about the best cat food and portion size for your pet. Nutrition and feeding schedules can depend on the age, lifestyle and health of your cat and should meet your cat's nutritional needs.
Feed your cat quality food with balanced and nutritious ingredients. Cats will generally only eat enough food to meet their nutritional needs. Foods with carbohydrates, fillers and preservatives will not offer the best nutrients for your pet, and your cat might eat more in one sitting to make up for the lack of healthy ingredients, according to the ASPCA.
Choose foods that contain protein from meat sources. Cats need taurine, an amino acid only found in meats. Also look for vitamins, minerals and fats in the list of ingredients, avoiding fillers and carbohydrates.
Choose a Feeding Method
If you are worried about obesity because of overeating in one sitting, break up your feeding times. A general rule of thumb is to serve two meals a day, spacing them about eight to 12 hours apart. "Free-feeding," in which you leave out food for your cat to eat at any time of day, can sometimes cause him to eat all his food in one sitting, according to the ASPCA.
Try timed feedings. Give your cat his food at the same time each day for a set period--such as 30 minutes. Once that time is up, take the food away.
Watch your cat's health. If you notice sudden weight loss or gain, changes in eating habits or changes in behavior, consider consulting with a veterinarian about health issues that might be affecting your cat, or alternative feeding methods and diets. Changes in weather, injury, infection or illness and changes in activity levels can cause changes in diet, and these can be evaluated with your vet's help.
How Do I Stop a Cat From Eating All His Food in One Sitting?
Feeding your cat a set amount of food on a proper schedule will not only provide the right nutrition for your pet but also help control his weight, create a bonding experience and control metabolism and blood sugar. If you are concerned with how much your cat is eating in a sitting, you might want to try a new feeding method, changing his cat food and/or serving sizes or exploring any underlying health problems that could cause a change in eating habits.