Nurturing a cat is not always as easy at it looks. Suddenly, you find yourself in the cat aisle fretting over collars, shampoos, treats … Once you’ve finally picked the right food, you have to decide which method of feeding you are going to use. There are two main methods, both of which have their own benefits and drawbacks.
Free Feeding
Free feeding is when you fill a bowl and leave it out for your pet, allowing him to eat as much as he chooses when he chooses to. This method works best with dry foods, since they do not spoil as quickly as wet foods do. One of the obvious advantages of free feeding is that you do not have to worry about making it home in time for mealtime, which can be a challenge for people who have very busy schedules or who are confined to the vagaries of commuter traffic. Also, if cats were given the option, it seems apparent that they would choose to have food available to them whenever they wanted it. Leaving food in a bowl throughout the day could also serve multiple pets’ needs, since they would be able to eat from the same bowl whenever they choose to or when it is their turn.
Of course, there are disadvantages to this method of feeding: In multiple cat homes, one cat might be excessively dominant and hoard and bully over the bowl, not allowing the others to have a turn. There is also the risk of an animal becoming overweight from eating too much. Some breeds of cats are particularly known for eating well beyond the feeling of fullness.
Scheduled, Portion-Controlled Feeding
If you have a predictable enough schedule and can count on being home at mealtime, the scheduled feeding method works well and is the healthier method, since it limits the amount of food your cat is taking in at each meal. There are variations on this method. You might fill the bowl with food and take it away after a reasonable time has passed, allowing the cat to eat her fill. Ten to twenty minutes is generally enough time. Or you may choose to measure out a portion of food at each mealtime and then leave it for the cat to eat at her own pace.
