To determine how much to feed your cat, the key factor is the number of calories they need daily, which depends on their weight, age, activity level, and health status.
General Caloric Guidelines
- Cats generally require about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight per day. For example, a 10-pound cat needs roughly 250 to 350 calories daily
- Another guideline suggests about 20 calories per pound for a healthy adult cat, so a 10-pound cat would need around 200 calories per day
- Active or younger cats may require more calories, while less active or senior cats need fewer
Feeding Amounts Based on Food Type
- Check the calorie content on your cat food packaging (usually kcal per cup or per can).
- For example, if dry food has 500 kcal per cup and your cat needs 250 kcal daily, feed about ½ cup per day.
- If feeding both wet and dry food, split the calories between them (e.g., 125 kcal from wet food and 125 kcal from dry food for a 10-pound cat)
- Treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake
Feeding Frequency
- Most adult cats do well with two meals per day.
- Kittens benefit from three to four smaller meals per day to support controlled growth and avoid overeating
Practical Feeding Chart for Adult Cats (approximate calories/day)
Cat Weight| Calories Needed (Adult, average activity)
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5 lbs| 125 - 175 kcal
8 lbs| 200 - 280 kcal
10 lbs| 250 - 350 kcal
12 lbs| 300 - 420 kcal
15 lbs| 375 - 525 kcal
Adjust portions based on your cat’s body condition, activity level, and health. Regularly monitor your cat’s weight and consult your veterinarian for personalized advice. In summary, feed your cat according to their calorie needs (about 25-35 kcal per pound), adjust based on activity and health, divide calories between wet and dry food if using both, limit treats to 10% of calories, and feed adult cats twice daily while kittens need more frequent meals
