How much to feed a cat comes down to calories, not cups, and the right number depends on your cat, not the bag. Age, size, activity and neutering all move it. The food label gives a starting amount, your vet can turn your cat's weight into a daily calorie target, and your cat's body condition tells you whether that amount is working.
Cornell Feline Health Center puts it plainly: cats vary greatly in how much food they need to stay at a healthy weight. So skip the average and work out your own cat's amount, then keep adjusting it as the cat changes.
How many calories does a cat need a day?
A healthy adult cat at an ideal weight needs roughly 200 to 290 kilocalories a day if it weighs 3 to 5 kg (6.6 to 11 lb), according to WSAVA's calorie guide. A 4 kg (8.8 lb) cat comes out at about 225 to 250 kcal. WSAVA says the figures are guidance only, because some cats need more or less to stay trim.
WSAVA built its chart from the 2006 National Research Council maintenance formulas: 100 kcal multiplied by body weight in kilograms to the power of 0.67 for a lean adult, and 130 kcal multiplied by body weight to the power of 0.4 for an adult prone to weight gain.
These are starting points for a healthy adult, not a prescription. A kitten, a pregnant or nursing cat, a senior, an overweight cat or any cat with a health condition needs its own target from your vet, and the weight in the chart should be your cat's ideal weight, which your vet can tell you.
Typical starting points: calories for a healthy adult cat
| Ideal body weight | Kilocalories a day (WSAVA guide) |
|---|---|
| 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 180 to 190 |
| 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) | 200 to 210 |
| 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) | 215 to 230 |
| 4.0 kg (8.8 lb) | 225 to 250 |
| 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) | 240 to 270 |
| 5.0 kg (11.0 lb) | 250 to 290 |
| 5.5 kg (12.1 lb) | 260 to 310 |
| 6.0 kg (13.2 lb) | 265 to 330 |
| 7.0 kg (15.4 lb) | 280 to 370 |
How do a cat's food needs change with age and life stage?
| Life stage | What changes | What it means for feeding |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten | Needs extra calories and nutrients for fast growth (Merck Veterinary Manual) | Feed a growth food in 3 to 4 or more small meals a day (VCA); Merck says kittens generally move to adult food between 8 and 12 months |
| Young adult, neutered | VCA says neutered and spayed cats are at greater risk of becoming overweight | Ask your vet for a calorie target and weigh your cat every 3 to 4 weeks (VCA) |
| Middle-aged adult | Merck says middle-aged cats are at increased risk of obesity | Keep portions measured and recheck body condition as activity drops |
| Senior | VCA says calorie needs first fall, then start to rise again around 11 years of age | Older cats often struggle to keep weight on (Merck), so weight loss needs a vet check |
| Pregnant or nursing queen | Food intake rises about 25 percent late in pregnancy and 2 to 3 times during nursing (Merck) | Her needs change week to week, so let your vet set her feeding |
How do you work out how much to feed your cat?
Ask your vet for a daily calorie target
VCA's advice is to ask your veterinary team how many calories your cat should eat each day. Your vet can weigh your cat and score its body condition at the same visit. WSAVA's calorie chart for healthy adult cats is, in its own words, guidance only, because some cats need more or less.
Read the calorie content on the label
On North American labels the calorie content statement is mandatory, WSAVA's label guide explains, and it is given per kilogram and per cup or can. Divide your cat's daily target by the calories per cup or can to get a starting portion. The feeding directions on the bag give an amount by body weight, which is another starting point.
Weigh the portion, then split it into meals
A kitchen gram scale is more accurate than a measuring cup, according to VCA, and makes small changes easy. Weigh out the whole day's food in the morning, including any top-ups. VCA suggests meal feeding two or three times a day for adult cats, and the AAFP recommends spreading the allowance across several small meals.
Recheck weight and body condition
Weigh your cat every 3 to 4 weeks, as VCA advises, and feel along the ribs and look for a waist. If your cat is slowly gaining or losing, the amount needs adjusting. VCA notes that body condition matters more than the number on the scale.
How much wet food should a cat eat per day?
The right amount of wet food is your cat's daily calorie target divided by the calories in each can or pouch. The calorie content statement on a North American label gives that figure per can, as WSAVA's label guide explains. Cans differ a lot in size and energy, so the number of cans a day changes from one food to the next.
A worked example, with made-up label figures: if your vet sets a target of 230 kcal a day and the label says 100 kcal per can, the day's portion is 2.3 cans, or a little more than two cans. If you also feed 20 kcal of treats, take that off first and the wet food comes to 210 kcal, or 2.1 cans. The same sum works for dry food per cup.
How can you tell if you are feeding the right amount?
Your cat's body condition, not the empty bowl, shows whether you are feeding the right amount. Vets use a body condition score, and WSAVA's chart runs from 1, very thin, to 9, heavily overweight, with 5 as ideal. At a 5 the cat looks well proportioned, you can feel the ribs under a slight covering of fat, and you can see a waist behind the ribs. The chart notes that a 6 may be acceptable in some cats, especially older ones.
VCA offers a quick check you can do at home. Ribs that feel like the back of your hand suggest a good body condition. Ribs that feel like your knuckles may mean a cat is too thin, and ribs that feel like your palm may mean it is carrying too much weight. Your vet can score your cat properly at its checkup.
Should you leave food out all day or feed meals?
Measured meals are easier to keep right than a bowl left full all day. The Merck Veterinary Manual says leaving food out all the time is not recommended because it can lead to overeating, and VCA says free-choice feeding raises a kitten's risk of becoming overweight. Wet food also spoils if it sits out for long, VCA notes.
Cats naturally eat many small meals across the day and night. The AAFP's 2018 feeding statement recommends splitting the daily allowance into small meals, using puzzle feeders where possible, and letting each cat eat on its own, even in a home with several pets. Any of these can work with a measured daily amount.
What if your cat needs to lose weight?
A cat that needs to lose weight should do it with a vet's plan, not by simply being fed less. VCA says an obese cat should never be put on a diet without veterinary supervision, and warns that feeding an ordinary adult food in restricted amounts could lead to nutrient deficiencies. Your vet can advise on a food made for weight loss and the right daily portion.
Slow loss is the goal. VCA says rapid weight loss can put a cat at risk of hepatic lipidosis, a severe liver disease, and Cornell Feline Health Center notes the condition seems much more common in obese cats. Never stop feeding an overweight cat to slim it down.
What each source recommends on feeding
| Source | How much | Meals | Treats | Checking progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSAVA | A calorie chart by ideal weight, for guidance only | Not stated | Not stated | Body condition score from 1 to 9, with 5 ideal |
| VCA | Ask your vet for a daily calorie target; weigh food on a scale | Two or three meals for adults; 3 to 4 or more for kittens | Under 10 percent of calories, ideally 5 | Weigh every 3 to 4 weeks; body condition matters more than weight |
| Cornell Feline Health Center | Cats vary greatly in how much they need | Not stated | 10 to 15 percent as a rule of thumb | Not stated |
| AAFP feeding statement (2018) | A measured daily allowance | Several small meals, with puzzle feeders where possible | Not stated | Not stated |
| Merck Veterinary Manual | Not leaving food out all the time | Measured meals rather than free feeding | Not stated | Watch for obesity in middle age and weight loss in older cats |
Tools for measured meals
Questions about how much to feed a cat
How many times a day should I feed my cat?
VCA suggests two or three measured meals a day for adult cats and 3 to 4 or more small meals for kittens. The AAFP's feeding statement favours several small meals spread across the day. Either way, keep the day's total at the amount your cat needs.
Is the feeding guide on the bag right for my cat?
The feeding guide on the bag is a starting point, not a fixed answer. Feeding directions give an amount by body weight, but WSAVA notes that cats are individuals and some need more or less to stay in ideal condition. Start there, weigh your cat every few weeks and adjust with your vet's help.
How much wet food versus dry food should I feed?
The split between wet and dry food matters less than the total calories, because the two differ a lot per bite. Add up the calories from each food on its label and keep the total at your cat's daily target. If you mix wet and dry, your vet can help you set the split.
My cat always acts hungry. Should I feed more?
A cat that always acts hungry should not get more food until you have checked its body condition. If your cat is at a healthy weight, food puzzles and smaller, more frequent meals can help. VCA lists a hearty appetite among the signs seen in diabetes and hyperthyroidism, so a clear rise in appetite is worth a vet visit.