TIP 1 - Multiple eating and drinking locations

Spread at least 'your number of cats + 1' eating and drinking locations throughout the house. This creates a safe, predictable environment, slower food intake, a healthier urine pH, and more mental stimulation for your cats.

TIP 2 - Don't place food and water next to each other

Never place food and water next to each other, this is very unnatural for your cat. After all, in the wild your cat would never catch a mouse next to a pond - a mouse doesn't linger there because it's too dangerous, and it already gets enough moisture from eating fruits and insects.

If a cat finds food next to her water, she'll instinctively drink less there, because the water might be contaminated. That's why so many cats love drinking from water glasses on the kitchen counter.

TIP 3 - 30 cm from the wall

Place food and water bowls about 30 cm from the wall, so the cat can stay between the wall and the bowl.

This way she can eat or drink more calmly, can keep an eye on the whole room at the same time, and having her back against the wall gives her a safe feeling that she can't be attacked from behind.

TIP 4 - Always have kibble available

A healthy cat normally doesn't eat more than she needs. And since a cat eats an average of 15 times a day, it's best to provide kibble throughout the day, spread around the house in slow-feeder bowls, far away from the water.

This way your cat can work for her food all day long, getting small bites throughout the day

TIP 5 - No free food

It's best to make sure your cat has to work for her food. This means you don't provide regular food bowls, but instead give food bowls that make it harder for her to reach her food easily.

For example, she may need to use her paw, or find it difficult to reach the kibble with her tongue. Examples include snack balls, slow-feeders, or enrichment toys. Introduce this very gradually, first with treats until you see your cat understands it well. Making your cat work for food slows down and reduces her food intake, and keeps her occupied with eating for longer, which provides good mental and physical stimulation.

TIP 6 - Wet food is a good source of moisture

Wet food doesn't have a great reputation, yet it's actually a very good idea to give your cat wet food daily, because it's the best way for her to get enough moisture. And it's not true that all cats get dental plaque from wet food, or that they can't get dental plaque from eating only dry food.