Use our free cat feeding calculator to find your cat's exact daily calories (kcal), wet food portions, dry food amounts, and mixed feeding ratios — personalized to their weight, age, and activity level.
All fields help us give you an accurate result
Resting Energy Requirement — the calories your cat needs just to exist at rest. Formula: 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75
We multiply RER by a factor based on age, neuter status, and activity level — kittens need up to 3x more than resting.
Overweight cats need a deficit. Underweight cats need a surplus. We adjust the target calories accordingly.
Using the caloric density of your cat's food (from the label) we calculate exact cups or cans per day.
If you have ever asked "how much should I feed my cat?", you already know there is no simple, universal answer. The right amount depends on your cat's weight, age, activity level, body condition, and whether they are eating wet food, dry food, or a mix of both.
Our cat food calculator uses the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula recommended by veterinary nutritionists:
This cat kcal calculator does all of this in seconds. Simply enter your cat's details, and you will get personalised results — including a daily feeding schedule split across meals.
Use this cat calories per day calculator reference chart to quickly estimate how many calories your cat needs based on their weight and life stage. For exact results personalised to your cat's body condition and food type, use the interactive cat food calculator above.
| Cat Weight | Kitten (kcal/day) | Adult Neutered (kcal/day) | Senior (kcal/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lbs (1.8 kg) | 150–200 | 130–155 | 100–130 |
| 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | 200–270 | 170–200 | 140–170 |
| 8 lbs (3.6 kg) | 250–340 | 210–250 | 175–210 |
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 300–400 | 240–290 | 200–245 |
| 12 lbs (5.4 kg) | 340–460 | 270–330 | 225–275 |
| 14 lbs (6.4 kg) | 380–520 | 300–365 | 250–305 |
| 16 lbs (7.3 kg) | 330–400 | 275–330 | |
| 18 lbs (8.2 kg) | 450–620 | 360–430 | 295–355 |
| 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | 480–660 | 385–460 | 315–380 |
These are approximate ranges. The exact number of cat calories per day depends on your cat's activity level, body condition score, and individual metabolism. Our calorie calculator cat tool factors in all of these variables for a more precise result.
One of the most common questions cat owners ask is "how much wet food should I feed my cat?" and "how much dry food should I feed my cat?". The answer depends on the caloric density of each food, which varies significantly between brands.
Most wet cat foods contain 70–100 kcal per 3 oz (85g) can. Because wet food is approximately 75% water, cats need a higher volume to meet their calorie needs — but the moisture content provides essential hydration that many cats struggle to get on their own. Our how much wet food to feed a cat calculator uses your food's exact kcal-per-can value to compute precise daily servings.
Dry kibble is much more calorie-dense — typically 300–500 kcal per cup. This means your cat needs a relatively small volume of dry food each day. It is critical to measure dry food with a proper measuring cup rather than estimating, as even a small overpour can lead to significant calorie excess over time. Our how much dry food to feed a cat calculator gives you the exact amount in cups.
Many cat owners prefer to feed a combination of both. This is perfectly healthy and gives your cat the hydration benefits of wet food with the dental benefits and convenience of dry food. Our mixing wet and dry cat food calculator feature lets you select "Mix (Wet + Dry)" as a food type and automatically splits the daily calorie target between both food types — telling you exactly how many cans and how many cups to serve each day.
Higher moisture content (75%), better for hydration, more palatable for picky eaters, higher protein percentage, lower carbohydrate content. Ideal for cats prone to urinary or kidney issues.
More convenient to store and serve, more cost-effective per calorie, can help with dental health, longer shelf life once opened. Good for puzzle feeders and slow-feed enrichment.
Best of both worlds. Wet food for hydration and palatability, dry food for convenience and dental stimulation. Our cat food calculator wet and dry mode handles all the maths for you.
Studies show that free-pouring dry food leads to an average 20% overconsumption. Always use a measuring cup or kitchen scale. Even 50 extra calories per day can cause 1 lb of weight gain per year.
Our cat feeding calculator is designed to answer the question "how much should my cat eat?" in under 30 seconds. Here is how to get your results:
Toggle between pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg). For the most accurate results, weigh your cat on a pet scale or step on a bathroom scale holding your cat and subtract your own weight.
Choose your cat's life stage (kitten, adult, senior) and activity level (indoor/lazy, normal, active). These determine the metabolic multiplier used in the calorie calculation.
Select whether you feed wet food only, dry food only, or a mix of both. The cat food calculator wet and dry mode splits your cat's daily calories proportionally across both types.
Check the label on your cat food for kcal per cup (dry) or kcal per can (wet). This is essential for converting total daily calories into actual food portions. If you are unsure, the calculator provides typical default values.
Instantly see your cat's daily calorie target, exact food portions in cups or cans, a split feeding schedule (morning/evening), and personalised care tips for their life stage. The cat food amount calculator does all the maths for you.
Common questions about using our cat food calculator, understanding cat calorie needs, and feeding wet and dry food.
Most adult indoor cats need between 200–300 kcal per day. Active cats may need 300–400+, and kittens can require 200–400+ depending on age and size. Our cat calorie calculator gives you a precise number based on your cat's exact weight, age, and activity level.
It depends on the caloric density of your wet food. Most standard 3 oz cans contain 70–100 kcal. An average 10 lb adult cat needing 250 kcal/day would eat roughly 2.5–3.5 cans. Use our how much wet food to feed a cat calculator for an exact answer using your specific brand.
Dry food is calorie-dense (300–500 kcal per cup), so cats typically need only 1/3 to 2/3 of a cup per day. The exact amount depends on your cat's calorie needs and the specific food. Our how much dry food to feed a cat calculator uses your food's kcal/cup to give precise portions.
Yes — mixing wet and dry food is an excellent strategy. It provides the hydration benefits of wet food and the convenience of dry food. Our mixing wet and dry cat food calculator automatically splits your cat's daily calorie target between both types and tells you exactly how much of each to serve.
Look for the "Calorie Content" or "Metabolizable Energy" statement on the back or side of the packaging. It is usually listed as "kcal/cup" for dry food or "kcal/can" for wet food. This number is required by AAFCO on all pet food labels sold in the US.
Use the Body Condition Score (BCS) system. Feel your cat's ribs — you should be able to feel them with slight pressure. If you need to press hard, your cat may be overweight. An ideal cat has a visible waist when viewed from above and a tucked belly from the side.
Scheduled feeding (2 meals per day for adults, 3–4 for kittens) is strongly recommended over free-feeding. Free-feeding dry food leads to overconsumption and obesity in most cats. Measured meals let you monitor appetite changes — an early warning sign of illness.
Yes. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat's total daily calorie intake. If your cat needs 250 kcal/day, treats should not exceed 25 kcal. Reduce main meal portions slightly on days you give treats to keep total intake consistent.
Kittens need 2–3 times more calories per pound of body weight than adult cats because they are growing rapidly. Feed kitten-specific food 3–4 times per day. Our cat feeding calculator automatically applies the correct multiplier when you select the kitten life stage.