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How do I transition from free feeding to scheduled feeding?

Jayme Baumbach
Jayme Baumbach
2025-07-08 23:50:43
Count answers : 14
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If you want to move from free feeding to scheduled feeding: Look up the appropriate daily amount to feed your pet (either on the packaging or on the company’s website) Divide this amount by two. Offer one portion in the morning and one in the evening. When it’s mealtime, keep the food bowl down for 15-20 minutes. If your pet is no longer eating (or never started), take the bowl up. If he doesn’t eat, don’t panic; it will take him a few meals to figure out what’s happening. Resist the urge to double the portion or add stuff into the bowl (like gravy) at the next meal. It’s important not to teach him that if he holds out long enough, he’ll get special treats. Don’t coddle him; he will not starve. Keep offering meals twice a day, and he will eventually eat when he’s hungry enough.
Adele Buckridge
Adele Buckridge
2025-07-05 08:21:55
Count answers : 18
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The first thing I would tell you if you asked about your cat's odd behavior? Stop free feeding! To that, I answer a resounding NO! Cats were built to eat small meals throughout the day. The best thing you can do for your cat’s long-term health is to get them on a regular feeding schedule (every 5-6 hours is optimal) with species-appropriate wet or raw food. When I work with clients who are dealing with behavioral issues at home, one of the first things I look at is how they feed their cats. Mealtimes and treats can motivate a cat into doing (or not doing) what you want them to do. Scheduled feedings also help litter box problems. If your cat is peeing or pooping outside the litter box, mealtimes give you a fighting chance at knowing when they’re going to eliminate so you can help them get to the litter box.

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Gordon Fadel
Gordon Fadel
2025-06-22 12:28:35
Count answers : 17
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If you have only one cat, and no plans for more, you can allow your cat to graze by measuring out the food portion each day and then recording anything left over at the end of the day. If you ever do need to transition your grazing cat to meal feeding, you can measure out the entire day's portion of food in the morning and offer the bowl several times throughout the day. Choose regular times to create a routine. The important thing is to use a measured portion for the day, either with a measuring cup or a kitchen scale. A feeding routine helps your cat cope when there are changes in the household. When your cat is used to eating at the same times each day, their body becomes conditioned to expect food at those times. Hunger can be a great motivator. If the stage is set for increased hunger followed by meals at regular times, then transitioning to a new food will often be seamless and straightforward. Having a set meal schedule can be helpful if your cat develops a medical condition.
Wellington Prohaska
Wellington Prohaska
2025-06-22 08:55:29
Count answers : 17
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Making the move from free feeding to schedule feeding your cat requires a few initial steps, and a commitment to a feeding schedule. Establish your cat’s daily nutrition needs. Your veterinarian can be a good resource to help you determine how much food your cat needs each day. Divide your cat’s daily nutrition into the number of meals per day you’ll be feeding. Serve meals on the same schedule each day. Pick up your cat’s bowl after a set amount of time, about half an hour. For wet cat food especially, pick up any uneaten food within 20 to 30 minutes. Stick to a consistent schedule, and your cat will come to anticipate, and look forward to, meals. If you have a cat with health issues, check with your veterinarian before changing your feeding routine. Two to three daily meals should work well.

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