The most common method of feeding for our pet cats is probably the provision of two or three meals per day in a feeding bowl.While such an approach is common there is simply no basis for it in terms of natural feline behaviour and a better understanding of how cats search for, acquire and consume food leads us to the conclusion that fixed meal feeding is simply not appropriate for our feline friends!
There are some very important differences between the feline and human approach to food,both in terms of the pattern of feeding behaviour and the social significance of food.
The main features of feline feeding are:
the need for exploration to locate a food source;
the division of feeding into multiple small periods of consumption throughout the day ;
the time consuming nature of food consumption over a 24 hour period ;
the self regulation of food intake;
the desire to eat alone;
Too much food:
In the feline world feeding is purely a functional behaviour during which cats refuel ready for their next bout of energy-consuming activity.As a result they are designed to take in very small amounts of food on frequent occasions throughout the day. When they are faced with 50 per cent of their daily food ration offered in one sitting, their most likely response is to take a couple of mouthfuls and walk away. Unfortunately owners can interpret this as a sign that the cat does not like the food. Owners can react by replacing the food with something more palatable and the cat may respond initially by eating more but,after a while,it settles back to a more natural feeding pattern and begins to pick at the food again.This can be misinterpreted that the cat no longer likes the second food and the process begins again!
So if we can,we should encourage the cat’s natural tendency to regulate how much it eats itself.It is helpful for kittens to be exposed to an ad lib supply of food from a very early age and to be encouraged to actively locate their food by hiding it or by using puzzle feeders.It is also important to consider the links between highly palatable foods and the sensitivity of satiation control.If palatable food is only available for short periods of time in set locations (ie,twice daily meals) then cats will learn to continue eating past the point of satiation (full and satisfied) and eventually the sensation of satiation can be overridden.
Supplying small quantities of food more frequently at times when you are at home may help to decrease begging for food and avoid the temptation to increase the amount of food.If the cat shows no regulation of its own food intake this may be a sign of possible underlying problem or behavioural disorders.
There are some very important differences between the feline and human approach to food,both in terms of the pattern of feeding behaviour and the social significance of food.
The main features of feline feeding are:
the need for exploration to locate a food source;
the division of feeding into multiple small periods of consumption throughout the day ;
the time consuming nature of food consumption over a 24 hour period ;
the self regulation of food intake;
the desire to eat alone;
Too much food:
In the feline world feeding is purely a functional behaviour during which cats refuel ready for their next bout of energy-consuming activity.As a result they are designed to take in very small amounts of food on frequent occasions throughout the day. When they are faced with 50 per cent of their daily food ration offered in one sitting, their most likely response is to take a couple of mouthfuls and walk away. Unfortunately owners can interpret this as a sign that the cat does not like the food. Owners can react by replacing the food with something more palatable and the cat may respond initially by eating more but,after a while,it settles back to a more natural feeding pattern and begins to pick at the food again.This can be misinterpreted that the cat no longer likes the second food and the process begins again!
So if we can,we should encourage the cat’s natural tendency to regulate how much it eats itself.It is helpful for kittens to be exposed to an ad lib supply of food from a very early age and to be encouraged to actively locate their food by hiding it or by using puzzle feeders.It is also important to consider the links between highly palatable foods and the sensitivity of satiation control.If palatable food is only available for short periods of time in set locations (ie,twice daily meals) then cats will learn to continue eating past the point of satiation (full and satisfied) and eventually the sensation of satiation can be overridden.
Supplying small quantities of food more frequently at times when you are at home may help to decrease begging for food and avoid the temptation to increase the amount of food.If the cat shows no regulation of its own food intake this may be a sign of possible underlying problem or behavioural disorders.
Food is the ultimate survival resource and,for cats,it is a private affair.Given the choice they will search, acquire and consume their prey in solitude and,with the exception of mothers teaching their kittens to hunt successfully,the feeding process is not a socially interactive one.Therefore behaviours such as leg rubbing and vocalising are actually signals of initiating social interaction,rather than signs that a cat is hungry and wanting food.However,they are commonly misinterpreted and many owners will offer more food.The cat will quickly learn that it can use these behaviours to control the supply and,since owners derive comfort from their pet seeking them out in this way,they will often increase the amount of food that they offer as a way of rewarding the social interaction. We need to understand the meaning of rubbing and vocalising behaviour,and play or interact rather than feed so that the cat returns to a more natural method of feeding.Risks of overfeeding and obesity will also be reduced.
Private meal:
Private meal:
The fact that cats prefer to eat alone is highly significant. A house with lots of cats needs lots of feeding places so that each cat can get to food freely,quickly and on its own.Even when cats enjoy each other’s company they will prefer to eat alone.Where there are several groups of cats in the house the need for separate feeding stations becomes even more important.A willingness by cats in
the same household to come together at feeding times is often taken as a sign that they get along with each other just fine.
However,it is important to remember that food is a vital survival resource and,since food delivery is controlled by owners at certain times and places cats may have to suppress feelings of conflict to gain access to food.Cats may suspend hostility for long enough to eat their meal but the level of tension between the cats at other times may actually increase.
How To Drink :
However,it is important to remember that food is a vital survival resource and,since food delivery is controlled by owners at certain times and places cats may have to suppress feelings of conflict to gain access to food.Cats may suspend hostility for long enough to eat their meal but the level of tension between the cats at other times may actually increase.
How To Drink :
This is another issue and understanding natural drinking behaviour can help to ensure the cat gets enough.In the wild the cat eats food with a high water content,such as mice,and this provides the majority of its water.The cat does not often simply drink.However,pet cats are often fed on foods low in water content.Less water can be a risk factor for medical conditions such as cystitis.
To encourage cats to drink,water should be sited away from food areas.Cats will naturally drink in separate locations to where they consume food.In multi-cat households cats are unlikely to override social tension to get to water.
Free flowing water is often more attractive to cats than water in a bowl.This relates to a natural instinct to avoid static water which may be stagnant.Running taps or cat drinking fountains can offer convenient ways to provide moving water.
Multiple water bowls that allow cats to drink alone are important.
Avoid materials such as plastic,which can taint the water - use glass,metal or ceramic containers.
Provide the water in a large wide container which enables the cat to lap from the edge.
Keep the water topped up so the cat does not need to lower its head into the container and lose sight of the meniscus of the water.
Free flowing water is often more attractive to cats than water in a bowl.This relates to a natural instinct to avoid static water which may be stagnant.Running taps or cat drinking fountains can offer convenient ways to provide moving water.
Multiple water bowls that allow cats to drink alone are important.
Avoid materials such as plastic,which can taint the water - use glass,metal or ceramic containers.
Provide the water in a large wide container which enables the cat to lap from the edge.
Keep the water topped up so the cat does not need to lower its head into the container and lose sight of the meniscus of the water.
Our pet cats are still very close to their wild ancestors in terms of behaviour.By paying attention to how cats naturally eat and drink we can significantly reduce stress. We can also reduce the risk of certain medical conditions, such as obesity and lower urinary tract disease,which can be made worse if we get it wrong.
