Cat Food Calculator
How much should you feed your cat? Enter its weight and life stage and the calories in its food, dry or wet, to see the daily amount and how much to give at each meal.
A starting point, not a prescription
Food per day (cups)
0.62
Check the highlighted fields to see your result.
- Per meal
- 0.31
- Calories per day
- 247 kcal
- Resting energy (RER)
- 206 kcal
Results are estimates for information only and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.
How it works
The calculator estimates your cat's resting energy requirement (RER), the calories it uses at rest, from its body weight. It multiplies that by a factor for its life stage, such as a kitten, a neutered adult, or a cat on a weight loss plan, to get the calories per day. Dividing by the calories in a cup, a can, or a kilogram of your food gives the amount to feed.
The formulas
RER = 30 × (weight in kg) + 70
Calories per day = RER × life stage factor
Food per day = calories per day ÷ calories per cup (or can)
Factors used: kitten under 4 months 2.5, kitten 4 to 12 months 2.0, neutered adult 1.2, adult not neutered 1.4, less active or prone to weight gain 1.0, and weight loss 0.8 (using the ideal weight). For cats under 2 kg, the calculator uses RER = 70 × weight0.75.
Worked example
A neutered adult cat weighs 10 lb (4.54 kg) and eats a dry food with 400 kcal per cup.
- RER: 30 × 4.54 + 70 = 206 kcal.
- Calories per day: 206 × 1.2 = 247 kcal.
- Food: 247 ÷ 400 = 0.62 cups per day, or 0.31 cups per meal with two meals.
Sources and cautions
The resting energy formula comes from theAAHA/AAFP feline life stage guidelines, and the method from theMerck Veterinary Manual. These are estimates by weight and life stage, not by breed; real needs vary between cats. Talk to your veterinarian, especially if your cat is a kitten, overweight, pregnant, nursing, older, or has a health condition.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my cat per day?
A neutered adult cat of 10 lb (4.5 kg) needs roughly 250 calories a day, which is about 5/8 of a cup of a dry food with 400 kcal per cup. Kittens, active cats, and cats that are not neutered need more. Use this as a starting point and watch your cat's weight.
Can I use this for wet food?
Yes. Choose "Can" and enter the calories per can, which are on the label, or choose "Cup" or "Kilogram" for dry food. If you mix wet and dry food, count the calories of both and split the daily total between them.
How many times a day should a cat eat?
Many adult cats do well with two or more small meals a day, and kittens usually need three or four. Splitting the daily amount does not change the total. Your vet can suggest a routine that suits your cat.
My cat is overweight. How much should I feed?
Choose "Weight loss plan" and enter your cat's ideal weight. Cats should not lose weight too fast, because that can harm the liver. Ask your vet to set a target and monitor your cat.