Two Approaches to Feeding
How you feed your cat matters almost as much as what you feed them. The two main strategies — free feeding and scheduled meals — have significantly different implications for weight management, health monitoring, and overall well-being.
Free Feeding (Ad Libitum)
Food is available at all times in the bowl — the cat eats whenever and however much they choose throughout the day.
When it can work:
- Cats who naturally self-regulate their intake and maintain a lean body condition
- Kittens under 6 months who need frequent, small meals
- Multi-cat households where scheduling is genuinely impractical
- Dry food only — wet food spoils within 1–2 hours at room temperature
Significant risks:
- Obesity — the majority of indoor cats will overeat when food is perpetually available. Over 60% of pet cats are overweight, and free feeding is a primary contributor.
- Impossible to monitor intake — if a cat stops eating (often the first sign of illness), you won't notice until other symptoms appear
- Multi-cat conflicts — dominant cats may guard the bowl, leaving timid cats underfed
- Cannot use wet food — limits you to the least hydrating food format
The biggest danger of free feeding is invisible. Weight gain happens gradually — just 10 extra calories per day adds up to over a pound per year. By the time you notice, your cat may already be significantly overweight.
Scheduled Meals
Measured portions served at consistent times, typically 2–3 times per day for adults.
Benefits:
- Precise portion control — you know exactly how many calories your cat consumes daily
- Early illness detection — changes in appetite are immediately visible
- Works with all food types — wet, dry, raw, or combinations
- Supports routine — cats are creatures of habit and thrive on predictability
- Enables dietary management — essential for cats with diabetes, kidney disease, or weight issues
- Multi-cat management — each cat gets their designated food and portion
Practical considerations:
- Requires a consistent daily schedule
- Cats may vocalize loudly for food between meals during the adjustment period (typically 1–2 weeks)
- Feeding times should be spaced relatively evenly (e.g., 7am and 6pm, or 7am, 1pm, and 7pm)
Pro tip: If your cat wakes you up demanding early breakfast, try an automatic timed feeder that dispenses the morning portion. This breaks the association between you waking up and food appearing.
Making the Switch
If you're transitioning from free feeding to scheduled meals:
- Calculate your cat's daily caloric needs using MealMeow's calculator
- Divide into 2–3 equal meals at set times
- Put food down for 20–30 minutes, then remove whatever isn't eaten
- Be patient — your cat will adjust within 1–2 weeks. They will not starve themselves.
- Don't give in to begging — this is the hardest part but the most important
The Verdict
For most indoor cats, scheduled meals are strongly recommended. They prevent obesity, enable health monitoring, and allow you to feed wet food — which is typically the superior nutritional choice.
MealMeow tip: Our meal planning tools are designed around scheduled feeding, calculating precise portions per meal based on your cat's caloric needs, food choices, and preferred number of daily meals.
Sources
- Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey. APOP, 2023. View source
- Courcier, E.A. et al. "An epidemiological study of environmental factors associated with feline obesity." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(10), 2010. View source
- National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press, 2006. View source