How often should cats and kittens eat? There is no quick and easy answer, as the age and relative health of your cat, how many cats you have, your home environment, and the type of food you feed will all play a large part in how you handle feeding.

For example, a stay-at-home caregiver will be able to feed canned food to kittens or geriatric cats several times a day. On the other hand, a single, working owner or a two-income family will rely more on dry cat food, with early morning and late-night supplements of canned food.

How Frequently Should You Feed Kittens Canned Food?

Kittens need roughly twice the nutrients of adult cats, for both growth and energy. Obviously, their tummies cannot handle large quantities of food. Therefore, much like human babies, they need frequent feedings at first, tapering off as they grow. It is important during this time to weigh the kittens regularly to ensure they are gaining regularly, but not becoming overly fat. Their hunger will usually be a pretty good guideline for determining if they are getting enough nutrition.

As a rule, it is best for kittens under 8 weeks old to remain with the mother cat. If this is impossible, a kitten may be fed by bottle as early as 2 weeks old. Alternatively, the kitten can at five weeks old, be gradually introduced to a good canned kitten food, mixed with equal parts of a "kitten formula" such as kitten milk replacer (KMR). Note: I do not advise giving kittens whole milk, as many cats are allergic to it. As the kitten approaches 6 weeks old, the amount of KMR can be gradually reduced, until the kitten is eating canned food alone.

Please note that these guidelines refer to feedings of canned food:

• At 6 weeks old: Three or more small feedings, spaced regularly throughout the day. Be sure to weigh the kitten regularly, and record his or her weight in a dated chart to keep track of its development.
• At 12 weeks old: Increase the amount of each meal, and gradually space them out to three meals a day.
• Around 6 months old: You may gradually space out the meals to twice daily.

How Often Should You Feed Adult Cats?

Unless a kitten is showing excessive weight gain, he is considered an adult at the age of 1 year, and for the next nine years or so, he may be fed adult "maintenance" food or canned cat food once or twice daily, with supplements of dry food when needed, as listed below.

What About Dry Food?

Veterinarians say dry food given for the convenience of the caregiver will meet the nutritional needs of the cat as long it is complete and balanced. Cats have lived long and happy lives on an exclusive diet of dry foods, and for working caregivers, adult cats may be fed a meal of canned food morning and night, with dry food left out for "grazing." There are a variety of premium dry cat food options available to accommodate every type of cat.

Geriatric and Special Needs Cats

Older cats can be on the same feeding schedule as adult cats as long as haven't developed conditions requiring specific dietary needs. It is best with these cats to follow your veterinarian's directions for feeding, including the schedule and type of food.