Cat Care for Kids: Feeding

Kittens make great pets for kids. This article series focuses on teaching cat care for kids of all ages. In this one, we discuss how to feed cats to keep them healthy from a kitten until they become a senior cat.

What Equipment is Needed to Feed a Cat?
Where Should I Feed My Cat?
Can I Overfeed My Cat?
Canned or Dry Food: Which is Best?
What Are Good Cat Treats?

What Equipment is Needed to Feed a Cat?

Cats are picky eaters and will need clean bowls for eating and drinking. Before you bring home a cat, make sure you have the right equipment ready for your new kitten.

• Water Bowl
• Can Opener
• Water Bowl – Kittens need access to fresh water at all times
• Food Bowl – Cats and kittens are grazers. This means they like to eat all day long. Therefore, keep dry food down at all times for your kitten.
• Automatic Feeder

You may be tempted to use the same can opener as the rest of the family but this is not a good idea. Cats and humans have different germs. Therefore, the utensils should be kept separate.

As for the automatic feeder, it does not have to be electric. A bowl which dispenses food is all that is needed. Cats need to graze throughout the day and a steady flow of food is necessary. This is even more true of you will be gone for longs periods of time or overnight.

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Where Should I Feed My Cat?

Your cat needs to eat in a clean and dry place. While some people recommend a counter, this is not a good idea. You want to teach your cat not to jump on counters because they can spread germs from the litter box. Instead, place the food either on the floor away from other animals or on a dresser.

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Can I Overfeed My Cat?

Cats can overeat. Most of the time, it is due to either a competition for food or a low quality food source. If your cat is getting fat, then it is overeating.

• If it is a competition for food, then feed your animals separately.
• If there is no other animals, then switch your cat food. Cats need to eat a high protein diet for optimum health.

As a kitten grows into an adult cat and then into a senior car, it’s diet needs will change. Feeding them the appropriate food for their age will also help keep them at an appropriate weight

• 8 weeks – 1 year – Feed your kitten, food for kittens
• 1 year – 6 years – feed your cat adult cat food. (if the cat is pregnant, the feed your cat food designed for pregnant cats.)
• 6 years and on – your cat will need food designed for seniors.

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Canned or Dry Food: Which is Best?

Both canned and dry food is okay to feed your cats. Some people prefer dried cat food because it is easier to store and it is cheaper.

Personally, I feed my cats dried cat food on a regular basis and give canned food as treats or when the cat is not feeling well.

Other people feed their cat nothing but canned food and this is fine too. However, if you ony feed your cat canned food, you will need to find something hard to keep the teeth clean.

You can feed your cat human food which is high in protein. Cooked chicken, fish , eggs, and raw tuna is fine for cats. Make sure the food is fully cooked and have no bones before feeding it to your cat.

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What Are Good Cat Treats?

There are plenty of commercial cat treats available for kittens and cats. Cats generally love them and they work well for training. They are not necessary and should be eliminated if your cat is becoming overweight.
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