How Much Should I Feed My Cat?

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Cats are natural grazers, but the modern indoor cat — neutered, warm, and not chasing much — burns far fewer calories than its instincts expect. Weight gain creeps up slowly, and once a cat is obese it is notoriously hard to slim down. This guide shows you how to calculate the right daily amount for your cat, whether you feed wet food, dry food, or both.

Short Answer: Most indoor, neutered adult cats need roughly 200–300 kcal per day — about 20–25 kcal per pound of ideal body weight. Start with the feeding guide on the label, measure every meal rather than free-feeding dry food, split food into 2–3 meals a day, and keep treats within 10% of daily calories. Weigh your cat monthly and adjust by about 10% at a time.

Last reviewed: 3 November 2026 · The Paw Pilot editorial team

Why cats gain weight so easily

A cat’s wild ancestors ate many small prey animals across the day, spending energy to catch each one. The indoor cat gets calorie-dense dry food from a bowl that never empties and spends its day asleep. Neutering lowers calorie needs further. The result: surveys by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention find that well over half of pet cats are overweight or obese — and owners are often the last to notice, because the change is gradual.

Step 1 — Work out daily calories

As with dogs, veterinary nutritionists start from the resting energy requirement (RER) — 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 — and multiply for lifestyle. Always use your cat’s ideal weight if it is currently overweight.

Cat’s ideal weight	RER (resting)	Typical neutered indoor adult (×1.2)
6 lb (2.7 kg)	~145 kcal	~175 kcal
8 lb (3.6 kg)	~185 kcal	~220 kcal
10 lb (4.5 kg)	~215 kcal	~260 kcal
12 lb (5.4 kg)	~250 kcal	~300 kcal
14 lb (6.4 kg)	~280 kcal	~335 kcal
16 lb (7.3 kg)	~310 kcal	~370 kcal

A handy rule of thumb for neutered indoor adults is about 20–25 kcal per pound of ideal body weight per day. Adjust with these multipliers (based on WSAVA guidance):

Cat	Multiply RER by
Weight loss plan	0.8
Inactive or prone to weight gain	1.0
Neutered adult	1.2
Intact adult	1.4
Active (outdoor, playful)	1.6
Kitten	2.0–2.5
Pregnant	2.0
Nursing (depends on litter size)	2.0–6.0

Try the Daily Food Portion Calculator

Enter your cat’s weight, age and lifestyle to get a daily calorie target and portion split for wet and dry food.

Open the Calculator

Step 2 — Wet food, dry food, or both

Check the calorie statement on the label — US pet foods must print one (see How to Read a Pet Food Label). Typical values:

Food type	Typical calories	Notes
Wet food (pâté/chunks)	~25–35 kcal per oz	A 3-oz can is roughly 70–100 kcal; a 5.5-oz can roughly 150–200 kcal
Dry kibble	~350–500 kcal per cup	Calorie-dense — small measuring errors add up fast

Example: a 10 lb neutered indoor cat needs about 260 kcal a day. That could be one 5.5-oz can of wet food (about 180 kcal) plus a measured quarter-cup of dry food (about 100 kcal). Wet food’s high moisture content also supports hydration and urinary health, which is why many vets recommend including some wet food daily. But any complete-and-balanced food — wet or dry — can meet a cat’s nutritional needs.

Meal feeding vs free feeding

Free-feeding dry food (leaving the bowl full all day) is the single biggest driver of feline weight gain. Scheduled meals — two or three a day, measured out — let you control intake and notice appetite changes early, which matters because cats hide illness well.

To honour the grazing instinct without the calories, try puzzle feeders: they make the cat “hunt” its kibble, slowing eating and adding activity. Divide the daily dry ration among two or three puzzles rather than adding extra food.

How to tell if the amount is right

Weigh your cat monthly — a kitchen or baby scale works, or use your vet clinic’s scale. Learn the at-home check in Is My Cat Overweight?: ribs easy to feel, a visible waist, and only a small fat pad on the belly.

Adjust daily food by about 10% at a time and re-check in a month. Note that cats must never be starved into weight loss: rapid weight loss in cats can trigger hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which is dangerous. Any diet for an overweight cat should be vet-supervised.

Common feeding mistakes

Free-feeding dry food. The bowl that never empties is the classic route to an overweight cat.
Feeding dog food to cats. Cats are obligate carnivores and need nutrients dog food lacks, including taurine, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A.
Milk as a treat. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant — milk causes stomach upset, not nostalgia.
Guessing portions. Dry food is calorie-dense; weigh it for a week to calibrate your eye.
Forgetting treats. Keep them within 10% of daily calories.

Frequently asked questions

How many times a day should I feed my cat?
Two to three measured meals suit most adult cats. Kittens under 6 months need three to four smaller meals.

Is wet food better than dry food?
Neither is automatically better if both are complete and balanced. Wet food helps with hydration and urinary tract health; dry food is convenient and calorie-dense. Many vets suggest a mix.

Can cats be vegetarian?
No. Cats are obligate carnivores — they cannot make enough taurine, arachidonic acid or vitamin A from plant ingredients, and deficiencies cause serious disease.

Why does my cat always act hungry?
Some cats are enthusiastic eaters by personality, but constant begging can also mean the food is low in protein, portions crept down, or a medical issue (such as hyperthyroidism in older cats) is raising appetite. If begging is new or intense, see your vet.

Do indoor and outdoor cats need different amounts?
Yes — active outdoor cats can need 30% or more extra calories, while indoor cats need less. Use the lifestyle multiplier in the table above, and re-check weight monthly.

Related guides

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Overweight cats should lose weight only under veterinary supervision — rapid weight loss can cause fatty liver disease. Talk to your veterinarian about a tailored feeding plan.