Answer
How much should I feed my cat? Feeding chart by weight
A neutered adult cat of 10 lb needs about 261 kcal a day, which is about 0.7 cups of a 400 kcal/cup food or 0.5 cups of a 500 kcal/cup food.
Feeding chart (neutered adult)
| Weight | kcal/day | Cups at 400 kcal/cup | Cups at 500 kcal/cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lb | 131 | 0.33 | 0.26 |
| 6 lb | 178 | 0.44 | 0.36 |
| 8 lb | 221 | 0.55 | 0.44 |
| 10 lb | 261 | 0.65 | 0.52 |
| 12 lb | 299 | 0.75 | 0.6 |
| 14 lb | 336 | 0.84 | 0.67 |
| 16 lb | 371 | 0.93 | 0.74 |
| 18 lb | 406 | 1.01 | 0.81 |
| 20 lb | 439 | 1.1 | 0.88 |
Use your cat’s ideal weight. Not neutered, a puppy or kitten, or very active? Use the cat food calculator, which adjusts for life stage and your food’s exact kcal per cup.
Why cups differ between foods
Dry foods range widely in calories per cup, so the same daily calories can be quite different volumes. The label’s “calorie content” line is the number to use.
More questions
How often should I feed my cat?
Most adult cats do well on two meals a day; split the daily amount between them.
Why is my pet gaining weight on the label amount?
Bag guides cover a wide range and individual needs vary by up to 50%: cut by about 10%, include treats in the count, and recheck in two to three weeks. Ask your vet if weight keeps changing.
How much should a 6 lb cat eat?
About 178 kcal a day for a neutered adult.
How much should a 12 lb cat eat?
About 299 kcal a day if 12 lb is its ideal weight.
How many calories does a kitten need?
About 2 to 3 times resting energy while growing, much more per pound than an adult: use the cat food calculator’s kitten setting.
Do indoor cats need fewer calories?
Often yes: an inactive indoor cat may need about 1.0 × resting energy instead of 1.2.
How many cups of dry food is that?
Divide the calories by the kcal per cup on the bag: dry cat foods are often 400 to 500 kcal per cup.
What if my cat is overweight?
Use the ideal weight and ask your vet for a weight-loss plan; cats should lose weight slowly.
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