Suggested Feeding for a Cat

According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 86 million domesticated cats live in some 38 million households. Cats are carnivorous creatures, needing an ample amount of meat in their diet. However, the amount of food and frequency of meals hinges heavily on the stage of the cat's life. Meat options for cats are lamb, chicken or beef.

  1. Kittens

    • A kitten's diet differs from a mature cat's food intake due to the development of the kitten's body. During the first month of their life, kittens sustain themselves strictly on their mother's milk. If a kitten is sold to another owner, the cat's new owner has access to kitten formulas, which are found in pet stores. When they are five to six weeks old, though, kittens require a diet combining milk and solid food. Kittens wean off nursing at about two to three months old. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals recommend feeding kittens dry, kitten-formula food until they reach one year of age.

    Canned vs. Dry Foods

    • When cats are young, dry food helps them transition from milk to hard, solid food. After passing year one, though, young cats are able to handle a mixed diet of dry food and canned meat. Canned meat has a higher degree of water than dry food and sets a limit on how much food a cat eats. However, giving cats dry food is more convenient for pet owners; dry food is also able to stay out in the open for longer periods of time than canned meat. Limit the amount of dry food a young cat receives to prevent it from developing overeating habits.

    Adulthood

    • After passing the one-year mark, cats live off two meals per day. An adult's digestive system is capable of handling human food such as bread crumbs, cheese and meat. Cats eat dry and canned food; cat food cans are labeled as kitten or adult cat food. The amount of food depends on the cat's level of activity; physically active felines need more calories than their lazier counterparts. Pet owners must ensure their cats eat food with high levels of Vitamin E, such as canned meat with fish oil. Steatitis, or yellow fat disease, sometime occurs when a cat's diet has a Vitamin E deficiency.

    Older Cats

    • Thinning and obesity are problems cats encounter as they grow older. Obesity results when an older cat's metabolism rate decreases. Cancer, kidney failure and failing teeth cause thinning. Provide a less caloric diet for obese cats. Thinning cats should receive multiple meals with a small amount of food rather than two large meals per day. Senior formula food is available in pet stores and has a higher level of protein than other types of cat food. Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine recommends pet owners take their cats to a veterinarian to determine whether their pet will grow more obese or thin.