Should I free-feed or do scheduled meals?

Scheduled meals win for most indoor cats. Free-feeding works for cats with reliable self-regulation, but most domestic cats overeat when food is constantly available, which adds up to weight gain over months. Scheduled meals (two to four per day) help with weight control, let you spot an appetite change early (a big signal of illness), and reduce empty-stomach bilious vomiting between meals. Free-fed kibble also goes stale, oxidizes and loses palatability. The exception is a cat with a chronic condition where small, frequent intake matters — your vet will say so if that’s the case.

When to call a vet: an unexplained change in appetite on a scheduled-meal routine is informative; share it with your vet rather than just adjusting portions.