Cat Food Calculator: How Much to Feed Your Cat

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Enter Your Cat's Details

All fields help us give you an accurate result

About Your Cat

Cat's name (optional — personalizes your results)

Weight

Weight (lbs)

Life Stage

Age

Spayed / Neutered?

Activity Level

How active is your cat?

Body Condition

Current body condition (feel your cat's ribs to assess)

Food Type

Wet food kcal per 3oz can — check label (default: 85)

Dry food kcal per cup — check label (default: 350)

Your cat needs

—

calories per day

Based on your cat's details

📅 Recommended Feeding Schedule

✅ Personalised Tips

⚠️ This calculator provides general guidance based on established veterinary formulas. Individual cats vary. Always consult your vet before making significant changes to your cat's diet, especially if your cat has a health condition.

🐱 Life Stage Guide

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Kitten (under 12 months)

Needs 2–3x more calories than adults per pound. Feed 3–4 times daily. Growth requires high protein and fat.

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Adult (1–7 years)

Maintenance phase. Feed 2x daily. Neutered cats need about 20% fewer calories than intact cats.

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Senior (7–12 years)

Metabolism slows. May need fewer or more calories depending on health. Regular vet checkups essential.

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Geriatric (12+ years)

Many older cats lose weight — may need higher calorie food. Muscle mass maintenance becomes priority.

📊 Body Condition Score

Feel your cat's ribs — this tells you their true condition better than weight alone.

1–2

Very thin — ribs, spine very prominent, no fat

Thin — ribs easily felt, minimal fat covering

4–5

Ideal — ribs felt with slight fat, visible waist

6–7

Overweight — ribs hard to feel, waist less visible

8–9

Obese — large fat deposits, no waist visible

❓ Common Questions

How often should I feed my cat?▾

Adult cats do best with 2 meals per day — morning and evening. Kittens need 3–4 meals. Avoid free-feeding dry food as it leads to overeating and obesity.

Wet food vs dry food — which is better?▾

Wet food is generally recommended as the primary diet — it provides hydration, more protein, and fewer carbohydrates. Dry food is convenient but cats often don't drink enough water to compensate for the lack of moisture.

My cat is always hungry — what should I do?▾

Increase protein content rather than quantity. High-protein wet food keeps cats fuller longer. Also rule out medical causes — hyperthyroidism in older cats causes constant hunger.

How do I switch cat food safely?▾

Transition over 7–10 days. Start with 75% old food / 25% new. Gradually shift to 50/50, then 25% old / 75% new, then 100% new. Rushing causes digestive upset.

Should treats count toward daily calories?▾

Yes — treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. If you give treats, reduce the main meal portion slightly to compensate and avoid overfeeding.

Behind the numbers

How the Calculator Works

Calculate RER

Resting Energy Requirement — the calories your cat needs just to exist at rest. Formula: 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75

Apply Life Stage Factor

We multiply RER by a factor based on age, neuter status, and activity level — kittens need up to 3x more than resting.

Adjust for Body Condition

Overweight cats need a deficit. Underweight cats need a surplus. We adjust the target calories accordingly.

Convert to Portions

Using the caloric density of your cat's food (from the label) we calculate exact cups or cans per day.

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Cat Food Calculator