The right amount depends on your cat's weight, age, activity and whether it is spayed or neutered. This guide gives the calorie rule vets use, a chart by weight, and how to turn calories into cups or cans.
The basic calorie rule
PetMD gives a general range: cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight each day. For a 10 lb cat, that is roughly 250 calories. Your vet can calculate a more exact number from your cat's weight and body condition. See healthy cat weight for how to check.
Daily calories by weight (adult cats, 1 to 7 years)
| Cat weight | Spayed or neutered | Not neutered | Prone to obesity | Needs to lose weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 125 | 175 | 100 | 75 |
| 8 lb | 200 | 280 | 160 | 120 |
| 10 lb | 250 | 350 | 200 | 150 |
| 12 lb | 300 | 420 | 240 | 180 |
| 15 lb | 375 | 525 | 300 | 225 |
All figures are calories per day. This chart is from PetMD and is a guide only. Actual needs can differ widely, so your vet should set the final number, especially for a cat that needs to lose weight.
Turning calories into portions
- Find the calories on the food label, such as "500 kcal per cup" or "80 kcal per can".
- Divide your cat's daily calories by that number. A 10 lb cat on 250 calories a day, fed a food with 500 calories per cup, needs half a cup a day.
- Split the amount into meals.
If you feed wet and dry food, split the calories, not the volume. For a 250 calorie cat, that might be 125 calories from wet food and 125 from dry. Use a measuring scoop, or a kitchen scale, rather than guessing.
What changes the amount?
- Age: kittens need more for growth, and needs drop after about a year. Seniors may need fewer calories to avoid weight gain, though some older cats need more to hold weight. See senior cat diet.
- Spay or neuter: intact cats tend to need more energy. After spaying or neutering, energy needs often drop.
- Activity: less active cats need less.
- Pregnancy: daily intake has to increase.
- Body condition: vets adjust the number for a cat that is too thin or too heavy.
How often to feed
Cats are natural small-meal eaters. A veterinarian at Texas A&M says they are designed to eat about 12 to 20 times in 24 hours, so a few small meals, or an automatic feeder, can suit them better than two big ones. Whatever you choose, keep the daily total the same. See wet vs dry cat food.
Treats count
Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories. Remove those calories from the meals, for example about 225 calories of food and 25 of treats for a 250 calorie cat.
Signs you are feeding too much
Weight gain, less activity or a cat that is hard to feel ribs on all point to overfeeding. PetMD cites a UC Davis study of 9,062 cats in which 41% were obese. Obesity is defined as at least 20% above ideal weight.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does a cat need per day?
About 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight for a typical adult cat, so roughly 250 calories for a 10 lb cat.
How much wet food should a cat eat a day?
It depends on the can size and its calories. Use the calories on the label and divide into your cat's daily total.
Should I follow the feeding chart on the bag?
Use it as a starting point only. VCA notes such charts can overestimate portions, so don't rely on one for more than a couple of weeks without checking your cat's weight.
Do older cats need more or less food?
It varies. Some seniors gain weight and need less, while others lose muscle and need more. Ask your vet to check weight and body condition.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet to set a daily calorie target for your cat.