Free feeding suits kittens, pregnant or nursing cats, and self-regulating adults at stable weight, matching a cat's natural pattern of many small meals.
Scheduled portions make appetite changes easier to spot, cap total calories, and help multi-cat households feed separately, though too few meals can cause hunger stress.
For cats prone to weight gain, split the daily ration into three or four meals or use a timed feeder instead of topping up the bowl mindlessly.
Under either mode, log sudden appetite changes and consult a vet; how a cat eats is itself a useful health window.
