Top 6 Feeding Methods for Your Cat

When it comes to feeding your beloved cat, you have several options and depending on your pet’s preferences, diet, and health condition, one may be more suitable than the rest.

Let’s take a closer look at the cat’s five most common feeding methods: dry food, wet food, raw food, semi-moist food, and prescription diets.

1) Traditional Bowl

A traditional bowl is the most common feeding method for cats. However, some people prefer to give their cats a homemade diet by preparing food and then giving it to their cat in a bowl. The advantage of this method is that you can control exactly what your pet eats and when they eat.

If you want to try this out, talk to your veterinarian about whether it’s appropriate for your pet. One disadvantage of this feeding method is that it can be messy because the food may spill from the bowl onto the floor or furniture if there isn’t enough food at once.

2) Automatic Feeder

Automatic feeders are easy to set up and maintain. They can be programmed to dispense food at specific intervals, and many come with access to a nutritional information database, so you know exactly what your cat is eating.

The only potential downside is that some cats may eat less when they have the option of feeding themselves. However, if your cat is overweight or diabetic, an automatic feeder might be the best way to ensure they’re getting its required food intake without overeating.

3) Cat Water Fountain

Feeding your cat food, water, and love in multiple ways. We’ve put together a list of the top five feeding methods for your cat to consider:

1) Bowls – Putting food and water in bowls is a common way to feed cats. However, this method can be messy as your cat may spill food or knock over the bowl.

2) Automatic waterers – This type of waterer has a reservoir that fills up with water from a faucet or sinks while dispensing fresh water at an adjustable rate to maintain the bowl’s level.

3) Automatic feeders – Automatic feeders will dispense dry kibble at regular intervals or when activated by your pet’s presence or another stimulus, such as sound.

4) Slow Feeder Bowl

Cats often eat too quickly, leading to vomiting, hairballs, and other problems. A slow feeder bowl can help cats take their time when eating and improve digestion. These bowls are made with a texture that forces kitties to chew on the food instead of gulping it down in one bite. Several different feed types are available, so you may want to try a few to find out which ones your cat prefers.

Inverted or elevated feeders allow cats to eat at different heights, which some experts say is healthier.

5) Gravity Feeder

A gravity feeder is a good choice if your cat eats too quickly. This feeder keeps food suspended in the bowl while your cat eats so it can’t overeat at once. Gravity feeders are also great because you don’t have to refill them as often.

This is the best option for cats who eat various foods or if you want to mix wet and dry food. It’s also a good idea if your pet is on medication and needs to be fed more frequently than usual.

6) Scheduled, Portion Controlled Feeding

Cats are finicky creatures, and they can be hard to please. One way to ensure your cat doesn’t get bored with its food is to mix things up a little bit. If you feel your cat could use some variety in their diet, try one of these five feeding methods: scheduled, portion-controlled, balanced diet, raw food, or home-cooked food.

Scheduled feedings are when you divide the daily allowance of dry food into six equal portions for the day and then feed at specific times during the day according to a schedule you create.