When it comes to “You are what you eat”, did you know that this saying holds true for our pets as well?

Interestingly, the “Five-a-Day Felix” report by the International Cat Care organisation found that for our feline friends, it’s also a matter of “You are how and when you eat” too!

This report found that the combination of modern cat food (palatable, energy dense and easily gobbled), lower average exercise levels in cats, and common feeding practices (twice daily feeding or all-day access to biscuits in a bowl that’s always located in the same place) can contribute to boredom, stress, overeating and obesity in domestic cats, with around 39-52% of cats in the UK being found to be overweight or obese.

As a result, this report made some simple, scientifically backed recommendations to support domestic feline health and welfare, suggesting that cats should be fed:

• Five or more smaller portions over a 24-hour period
  This mimics a cat’s natural feeding habit of eating little and often throughout the day and night via the hunting of small prey species. To prevent accidental overfeeding, you can weigh or divide out smaller portions of food for your cat in advance each day, so they’re not exceeding the recommended total quantity per day. For night feeding or feeding your cat while you’re at work, timed feeding devices can be very helpful.
• Via a variety of puzzle feeders
  This was found to encourage mental and physical stimulation of cats during feeding, and help satisfy natural hunting behaviours, thereby reducing boredom, stress, anxiety and aggression. Puzzle feeders can be bought, or you can make DIY versions at home.
• From different locations
  Placing your cat’s food in a variety of locations around the house encourages them to engage their senses and “hunt” for their food.

For more information on healthy body condition and behaviour in your cat, consult our feline-friendly team!