I always make sure there is a little dry food in a bowl, just incase they need a snack, but really both of them sleep most of the night, so it probably is not necessary, and not cruel IMO, it depends what you get your cat used to, they are creatures of habit just like us,Lexie is always eager to have a few biscuits early in the morning, which hubby gives her usually.

I never leave a lot of food as My older cat Ash tends to pig out, and then just vomit them up straight away.