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Determining the right amount of food for your feline friend can be challenging, especially with the variety of options available, from dry kibble to delicious wet food. Our comprehensive guide and cat food calculator will help you estimate the ideal amount of wet food, dry food, or a combination of both, ensuring your cat stays healthy and maintains an ideal weight. Avoid the pitfalls of overfeeding or underfeeding – let’s dive into how to properly nourish your cat.

In this article, we will cover:

• How to effectively use our wet food calculator for cats, including understanding calorie content, wet and dry food proportions, and activity levels.
• Optimal feeding frequency for cats and why it matters.
• The distinct advantages of wet food, dry food, and combination feeding strategies.
• Guidelines for treat allocation and how to factor them into your cat’s daily intake.
• Methods to assess your cat’s ideal weight and adjust feeding accordingly for overweight or underweight cats.
• Specific feeding considerations for kittens and senior cats.
• Recommendations for the best cat food diets to support overall health.

Also Read: Cat Water Intake Calculator | How Much Should a Cat Drink?

Wet Food Calculator for Cats: Find the Right Portion

Our cat feeding calculator is designed for healthy adult cats at their ideal weight. It’s not intended for kittens, pregnant or lactating cats, or those needing specific weight management plans. The calculation is based on the resting energy requirement (RER), using the formula: (Weight in kg ^ 0.75) x 70, then multiplied by an activity factor: 1 for inactive, 1.2 for average activity, and 1.4 for high activity levels.

Results:

Dry food per day:

Wet food per day:

Step 1 – Determine Your Cat’s Weight

Accurately knowing your cat’s weight is the first crucial step. Consult your veterinarian for their last recorded weight, or invest in digital pet scales for convenient home monitoring. Regularly weighing your cat, every 2-4 weeks, is highly recommended. Consistent weight gain signals a need to reduce calorie intake, while unintentional weight loss could indicate an underlying health issue requiring veterinary attention.

Beurer Digital Pet Scales

• Precise and reliable digital scales designed for pets.
• Easily track your cat’s weight at home on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.
• Proactive weight monitoring provides valuable insights into your cat’s health, enabling early detection of potential problems.

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Step 2 – Decide on Wet and Dry Food Proportion

The ideal balance of wet and dry food is personalized to your cat’s unique needs, health status, lifestyle, preferences, and budget. You might choose 100% wet food, 100% dry food, or a combination, such as a 50/50 split. Adjusting the wet food percentage can help you reach convenient feeding amounts, like a full can. Always discuss your cat’s diet with your veterinarian for tailored recommendations on wet and dry food proportions.

Step 3 – Input the Food’s Kcal/kg Value

Finding the kcal/kg (kilocalories per kilogram) of your cat food is essential for accurate calculations. This information is usually found on the food packaging or the manufacturer’s website under nutritional information or feeding guidelines. Dry cat food typically ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 kcal/kg, while wet cat food is generally lower, between 750 and 1,200 kcal/kg.

1. Locate Kcal/kg on Packaging or Online

Look for the kcal/kg value directly on the food label or online product details.

2. Convert Kcal/100g to Kcal/kg

If the calorie content is listed as kcal/100g, multiply that value by 10 to convert it to kcal/kg.

3. Convert Kcal/Can to Kcal/kg

For wet food, calorie content is often provided per can or pouch. To convert this to kcal/kg, divide the kcal per can by the net weight of the food in the can (grams or ounces), then multiply by 1000 if using grams, or by 35.27 if using ounces to get to kg.

4. Calculate Kcal/kg from Guaranteed Analysis

If the kcal/kg is not directly available, you can estimate it using our calculator based on the ‘Guaranteed Analysis’ or ‘Analytical Constituents’ found on the packaging. Input the percentages of moisture, protein, fat, and crude fiber. This calculation provides an estimate, not an exact value. For dry food, if moisture and ash percentages are missing, estimate 10% moisture and 7% ash. For wet food, estimate 80% moisture and 3% ash.

5. Contact the Food Company

If you cannot find the kcal/kg and lack the necessary information for estimation, or if you prefer a precise value, contacting the pet food company directly is recommended. They should readily provide this information.

Step 4 – Define Your Cat’s Activity Level

Activity level significantly impacts calorie needs. Select the category that best describes your cat:

1. Inactive: Cats that mostly sleep and rest, with minimal activity, prone to weight gain (RER x 1).
2. Average: Typical house cats with regular sleep and rest periods, but also engage in daily play and have environmental enrichment, possibly with garden or outdoor enclosure access (RER x 1.2).
3. High: Cats that are highly active, explore large outdoor territories, or are regularly walked on a leash. Unneutered cats also generally have higher energy requirements (RER x 1.4).

Understanding Your Feeding Results

The calculator provides daily amounts of dry and wet food in grams. Divide this daily amount across your cat’s meals. Remember, these are estimates. Regularly monitor your cat’s weight and body condition score (refer to our guide on How to Body Condition Score Your Cat) and adjust portions as needed.

Weighing food with digital scales is much more accurate than using cups. A study revealed that owners using cups can unintentionally overfeed by up to 80%. Standard measuring cups should be 250 ml/8 oz, but many scoops or ‘cups’ may be larger without owners realizing it.

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale

• Affordable and dependable digital kitchen scale for food portioning.
• An essential tool for accurately measuring your cat’s food.

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How Often Should You Feed Your Cat Wet Food?

Cats are naturally inclined to eat multiple small meals throughout the day, mirroring the hunting patterns of their wild ancestors, who consume 7-20 small prey items daily. Mimicking this natural feeding behavior is thought to enhance their well-being. Research also indicates that increased meal frequency can improve water intake in cats.

Aim to feed your cat at least twice a day, ideally 3-6 times if feasible. Individual preferences vary; some cats thrive on two meals daily, while others prefer more frequent, smaller portions. A practical approach is to offer wet food in the morning and evening and provide dry food in a puzzle feeder during the day for enrichment. Automatic feeders, like the Cat Mate Automatic Feeder, can dispense up to five meals throughout the day, keeping wet food fresh with ice packs and offering precise portion control unlike many other automatic feeders.

Feeding once a day isn’t recommended as it can lead to prolonged hunger and discomfort. Large single meals can also increase the likelihood of vomiting. Regardless of feeding frequency, portion control is key. Divide the total daily food allowance into the desired number of meals and weigh each portion. Use our calculator to determine portion sizes:

g

Amount per Meal =

Cat Mate 5 Meal Automatic Feeder

• Enables feeding small, frequent meals, even when you’re away.
• Includes ice packs to keep wet food fresh.
• Provides precise portion control, unlike many other automatic feeders.
• Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

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Wet vs. Dry Cat Food: Choosing the Right Option

There’s no universal answer to whether wet or dry food is better; it depends on your cat’s specific needs and your preferences. Both wet and dry cat food can provide complete and balanced nutrition, each with distinct advantages.

Benefits of Wet Cat Food:

• Hydration: Wet food boasts a high moisture content (around 80%), significantly higher than dry food (about 8%). This is crucial as cats have a naturally low thirst drive and may not drink enough water, especially on a dry food diet. Wet food is particularly beneficial for cats prone to dehydration or urinary issues.
• Health Conditions: Wet food’s high moisture content is advantageous for cats with conditions like chronic kidney disease, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and constipation.
• Protein and Carbohydrates: It’s often easier to find wet foods with higher protein and lower carbohydrate content compared to dry food, which is beneficial, especially for diabetic cats.
• Weight Management: The higher water content in wet food means fewer calories per gram, aiding in weight loss for overweight cats by promoting satiety.
• Palatability and Appetite: Wet food can be warmed to enhance aroma, increasing palatability, which is helpful for picky eaters or cats with reduced appetite.
• Medication Administration: It’s easier to conceal medications and supplements in wet food.
• Versatile Feeding: Wet food can be used with slow feeders like LickiMat Slow Feeders.

Benefits of Dry Cat Food:

• Cost-Effective: Dry food is generally more economical.
• Grazing: Dry food can be left out for extended periods without spoiling, suitable for cats who prefer to graze throughout the day.
• Dental Health: Certain dry foods, like Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care, are formulated to help control plaque and tartar with larger, textured kibble designed to promote chewing and act like a toothbrush.
• Puzzle Feeders: Dry food is ideal for use in puzzle feeders, such as Trixie Activity Puzzles for Cats, providing mental stimulation and enrichment.

For cats without specific dietary needs, a combination of wet and dry food is often recommended to leverage the benefits of both. If feeding both, ensure both are high-quality, complete and balanced diets, not complementary feeds or toppers. For cats on therapeutic diets, combining wet and dry options from the same brand and product line is advisable to maintain the diet’s intended benefits.

Introducing a mix of textures early in a cat’s life can foster flexible eating habits, making dietary changes easier should health issues arise later in life. Avoid mixing wet and dry food in the same bowl if your cat doesn’t finish their meal at once, as wet food spoils faster.

If you primarily feed dry food or a combination, prioritize hydration. Read our 20 Top Tips to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water to ensure your cat stays properly hydrated.

How Many Treats Can Your Cat Have?

Treats should be given in moderation, comprising no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake to prevent nutritional imbalances. When giving treats, reduce the portion size of their main food accordingly. Use our Cat Treat Calculator to estimate your cat’s daily treat allowance and adjust their main meal portions to account for treat calories.

Is My Cat at Their Ideal Weight?

Body condition scoring (BCS) is the best method to assess if your cat is at a healthy weight. This involves visually and physically evaluating your cat, focusing on the ribs, waist, and abdominal tuck. An ideally weighted cat should have a visible waist when viewed from above, a slight abdominal tuck from the side, and ribs that are easily felt but not visible. A small fat pad should be palpable on their belly within the primordial pouch, but not elsewhere on the body. For a detailed guide, refer to How to Body Condition Score a Cat.

Feeding an Overweight Cat for Weight Loss

For mildly overweight cats, reduce their current food amount by 10%. Regularly reassess their weight and adjust portions accordingly. Use the calculator below to reduce the calculated food amount by 10%.

For moderately to severely overweight cats, simply reducing their regular food can cause nutrient deficiencies. Weight loss diets, formulated to be low in calories and nutrient-dense, are necessary. Read How to Help a Cat Lose Weight for more information.

Consult with your veterinarian to develop a safe and effective weight loss plan, including a target weight, suitable food, and feeding amounts. Regular monitoring and plan adjustments based on progress are essential.

Feeding an Underweight Cat for Weight Gain

For underweight cats, increase the calculated food amount by 20%. Monitor their weight regularly and adjust portions as needed. Use the calculator below to increase the calculated food amount by 20%.

Underlying causes of weight loss can range from insufficient calorie intake to medical conditions like dental disease, parasites, kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and gastrointestinal issues. Consult your veterinarian to diagnose and treat the cause of underweight status and to create a feeding plan. Strategies to encourage eating include:

• Texture: Offer soft foods like pate or mousse, or mash food for easier consumption, especially for cats with dental issues.
• Aroma and Palatability: Choose fragrant, palatable flavors and gently warm food to enhance its aroma.
• Feeding Frequency: Offer food ad-libitum (free feeding) or frequently throughout the day.
• Whisker-Friendly Bowls: Use wide, shallow bowls to avoid whisker fatigue.
• Multiple Bowls: In multi-cat households, provide separate food bowls in different locations to reduce competition and stress.
• Bowl Placement: Place food bowls in quiet, accessible areas, away from water and litter boxes. Avoid placing bowls near windows or glass doors if stray cats are present.
• Raised Bowls: For cats with arthritis, raised bowls can improve comfort.
• Positive Reinforcement: Praise and gentle petting during meals can encourage eating.
• Avoid Force Feeding: Never force-feed, as it can create food aversion and risks aspiration. Seek veterinary care for cats not eating and losing weight; appetite stimulants, anti-nausea medication, or feeding tubes might be necessary.

Necoichi Wide Raised Cat Bowl

• Elevated design enhances eating comfort.
• Wide bowl reduces whisker stress.
• Crafted from safe, dishwasher-safe ceramic.

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Kitten Feeding Guidelines

Kittens have high caloric needs for growth. Follow the feeding guidelines on kitten food packaging, which are typically based on age and weight. However, these are general guidelines, and individual needs may vary. Use Waltham Petcare’s kitten growth charts to monitor healthy growth and adjust feeding as needed, but always consult your veterinarian to ensure your kitten’s weight and food intake are appropriate.

An example feeding guideline showing how much to feed a kitten.

View Kitten Growth Charts

If you are unsure of your kitten’s age in weeks for the growth charts, use our age calculator:

Age =

Kitten Growth Chart Instructions:

1. Begin weighing your kitten every 2-4 weeks from 8 weeks old using accurate pet scales like Beurer Digital Pet Scales.
2. Plot their age (weeks) on the horizontal axis and weight (kg) on the vertical axis.
3. Healthy growth should follow one of the centile lines on the chart.
4. Upward deviations crossing two or more centile lines may indicate overfeeding risk. Downward deviations may signal underfeeding or health issues.
5. Always discuss growth chart results with your veterinarian.

Normal Kitten Growth Charts

Abnormal Kitten Growth Charts

Feed kittens diets specifically formulated for growth until they are 12 months old. Introduce a variety of food textures to encourage adaptable eating habits. Transition to new foods gradually to avoid digestive upset.

Recommended Kitten Foods:

Senior Cat Feeding Considerations

Feeding amounts for senior cats depend on their weight status: underweight, ideal weight, or overweight (see sections above). Around 12 years old, cats may naturally lose fat and muscle mass and become underweight. Senior cats digest fats and proteins less efficiently, requiring high-quality, digestible diets to prevent weight loss. Maintaining ideal weight is crucial for managing age-related health issues like kidney disease.

Recommended Senior Cat Foods:

Choosing the Best Cat Food

When selecting cat food, follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods. Choose brands that:

• Employ qualified nutritionists.
• Have experienced pet food formulators.
• Meet AAFCO or FEDIAF nutrient guidelines.
• Have quality control for food safety.
• Conduct product research and nutritional studies.
• Label products as ‘complete’.

Purina, Royal Canin, and Hill’s are examples of brands exceeding WSAVA guidelines, employing veterinary nutrition specialists and conducting extensive research. Contact any pet food company you consider to ensure they meet these criteria. Always follow your veterinarian’s dietary recommendations for health conditions. Homemade diets are generally not balanced unless formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Raw meat diets are not recommended due to pathogen risks and lack of proven benefits.