Feeding Tips for a Happy Cat
26th February 2024
The way to a cat's heart is through their stomach: Feeding tips for a happy and relaxed cat.
Let’s agree, food is happiness. Who doesn’t light up at the sight of a well-stocked dinner table? The same goes for your cat and their food. But unlike us, who decide on our own mealtimes and when to replenish our cupboards, cats usually depend on their owners to refill their bowls and worry about supply. Since moving in with us, many things have changed for our feline companions, including their independence and their routines. Sharing the genes of a wild cat, their need for hunting and securing food is still active and can leave them sensitive to the feeding regime and environment introduced to them and may result in stress and behavioural changes. Here are some small but nevertheless impactful adjustments you can make to better meet your feline’s needs.
Feed little and often
If your cat could choose, then they would eat little and often throughout the day, just like their wild ancestors, who fed on the insects and small animals crossing their path as they roamed their territory. Smaller portions are also less likely to lead to an upset tummy or regurgitation.
If your cat is currently fed on fewer larger portions, then changes should be introduced slowly and carefully, and their behaviour monitored. The weekends are a great time to introduce new habits and see how your cat responds to them. Using the SureFeedTM Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, you can support your cat’s natural graze feeding behaviour and also use the app to check on your cat’s feeding routine.
Make feeding fun
A great way to make mealtimes more exciting is by using food mazes or puzzle feeders. They make feeding a game and are just tricky enough to slow your cat’s eating at the same time. If you like creative projects, then you can even make little food-dispensing games from cardboard, paper, or cloth – these are great for your wallet but also for your connection with your pet.
Minimise competitive pressure
If your cat shares their home not only with you but also with other pets, they may feel even more protective about their food and under pressure to eat as much as they can while their bowl is still full. To reduce the competition, cats should have their own feeding spot with their own bowl, where they can’t be disturbed. The SureFeedTM Microchip Pet Feeder and the SureFeedTM Microchip Pet Feeder Connect stop pets stealing each other’s food, reducing the pressure to finish all food provided and allowing them to graze.
Keep food palatable throughout the day
If your cat is a picky eater or on wet food, then preserving the freshness of the food over the course of the day is important. The SureFeedTM range of pet feeders come with sealed bowls and lids helping keep food fresher for longer, ensuring that your cat has access to tasty food that hasn’t dried out or gone stale.
