Cats
Cat food calculator: how much to feed your cat
Multiply your cat’s weight in kg to the power 0.75 by 70, then by 1.2 for a neutered adult: a 10 lb cat needs about 261 kcal a day, about 0.58 cups of a 450 kcal/cup food.
Cat calorie chart by weight
Daily calories for a healthy cat at an ideal weight, from the RER × factor method.
| Weight | Neutered adult | Not neutered | Inactive | Kitten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 131 | 153 | 109 | 274 |
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 178 | 208 | 148 | 371 |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 221 | 258 | 184 | 460 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 261 | 305 | 218 | 544 |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 299 | 349 | 249 | 624 |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 336 | 392 | 280 | 700 |
| 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 371 | 433 | 310 | 774 |
| 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 406 | 473 | 338 | 845 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 439 | 512 | 366 | 915 |
Enter your cat’s ideal weight if it is over- or underweight, and check the plan with your vet.
Citing this? Link to https://tools.thesturdypaw.com/cat-food/. Computed with RER = 70 × kg^0.75 and the Pet Nutrition Alliance factors. Free to reuse with a link (CC BY 4.0).
Where to find kcal per cup on the label
US pet food labels list it as “Calorie content (calculated)”, usually near the guaranteed analysis, in kcal/kg and kcal per cup (or per can). Enter the per-cup figure. Foods differ a lot, often 300 to 500 kcal per cup for dry food, so the same “2 cups” can be very different amounts of food.
How it works
First, resting energy: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75. Then a life-stage factor from the Pet Nutrition Alliance (for example 1.6 for a neutered adult dog, 1.2 for a neutered adult cat) gives daily calories. Dividing by your food’s kcal per cup gives cups. The Pet Nutrition Alliance notes that individual needs vary by up to 50%, so treat the answer as a starting point and adjust to body condition.
Questions
How much should I feed my cat?
A 10 lb neutered adult cat needs about 261 kcal a day, which is about 0.58 cups of a 450 kcal/cup dry food. Use your food’s label figure and watch your cat’s weight.
How much wet food should a cat eat?
Divide your cat’s daily calories by the kcal per can or pouch on the label; if you feed wet and dry together, split the calories between them.
How much should a kitten eat?
About 2 to 3 times resting energy while growing, in several small meals; kitten food is denser, so the cups figure changes too.
Why does my indoor cat need fewer calories?
Neutered, indoor cats move less: the inactive factor is 1.0 × resting energy versus 1.2 for a typical neutered adult.
How many treats can my cat have?
Keep treats under about 10% of daily calories.
How much should an 8 lb cat eat a day?
About 221 kcal a day for a neutered adult cat.
How much should a 14 lb cat eat?
About 336 kcal a day if 14 lb is its ideal weight; if the cat is overweight, enter the ideal weight and ask your vet about a plan.
Should I free-feed my cat?
Measured meals make it easier to keep a cat at a healthy weight than a bowl that is always full; a timed feeder can split the day’s amount.
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