Question about feeding

First the general story: We have been feeding out cat(7-8 months old) 3 times a day with wet food and have dry food available all the time(though I limit the amount she gets in a day). She used to eat all or most of the wet food right away, but lately she has been leaving more and more food uneaten. The food is usually gone till the next feeding time. The main problem is that since this behavior started she has become more active and mischievous during the night.

I have been playing with the idea to make food only available at set times. For example, I feed her at 2 and the food is out till 3 and then I put it away. Is that a good idea or should I leave it as is? If I put the food away should I still leave some dry food out? And maybe a better suggestion if this isn't a good idea?

She's getting to an age where she'll start needing fewer calories, so maybe not eating right away is just her way of self-regulating. That or she might be getting addicted to the kibble. . .is she eating more of it now?

Yes, you can do set mealtimes, that's probably best to keep her from gaining weight as she gets older. 3 times a day is usually best for cats. I feed the cats before work, after work, and at bedtime.

Reiten said:

First the general story: We have been feeding out cat(7-8 months old) 3 times a day with wet food and have dry food available all the time(though I limit the amount she gets in a day). She used to eat all or most of the wet food right away, but lately she has been leaving more and more food uneaten. The food is usually gone till the next feeding time. The main problem is that since this behavior started she has become more active and mischievous during the night.



I have been playing with the idea to make food only available at set times. For example, I feed her at 2 and the food is out till 3 and then I put it away. Is that a good idea or should I leave it as is? If I put the food away should I still leave some dry food out? And maybe a better suggestion if this isn't a good idea?

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Kitty is getting a bit older so she may very well be needing fewer calories to to a slow down in activity, hence the slower appetite. All of my cats are now adults and I will tell you what works best for *me* and my cats are very happy. My adult cats are fed their wet twice a day. Their daily intake of kibble amounts to 10% of their diet while wet is 90%. And yes, I measure I have automated feeders which dispense 1/3 of their daily kibble 3 times a day and in between their main meals of wet.

So to answer your question, yes, by all means time her feedings. If you are able to, also put out her kibble at different times of the day in between her wet feedings and you can pull it up if it goes uneaten as well. I think you are on the right track here. Be patient... and persistent... and consistent in your schedule and you'll have success! :nod:

Thanks for the answers.

I'll try putting the wet food away if it isn't eaten an hour after I put it out and leave the kibble out all the time.

I don't think I have to worry about kibble addiction as she will take wet food 99% off the time if given the choice. She usually eats about one wet meals worth or less(usually less) off kibble. As I see it Kika sees kibble as something similar to a snack.

I feed all my animals on a schedule, twice a day. I measure everything and with the cats, I have always mixed the wet and dry together. I know everyone looks at me like I'm insane, but it works, They eat everything, no leaving of any food and I am able to monitor the amount they eat, so that if all of a sudden one stops eating, I know immediately and can take appropriate action.

I lost a dog 10 years ago because of free feeding, so now I don't