How much to feed your cat depends on their age, weight, activity level, and type of food. Here’s a practical breakdown:
🐱 General Daily Feeding Guidelines (Adult Cats)
(based on average dry food ~350–400 calories per cup, or canned food ~25–30 calories per ounce)
- Indoor, less active cats (8–10 lbs): ~200 calories/day
- About ½ cup dry food OR 5–6 oz wet food
- Active/younger cats (8–10 lbs): ~230–270 calories/day
- About ⅔ cup dry food OR 6–7 oz wet food
- Larger cats (12–15 lbs): ~250–350 calories/day
- About ¾ cup dry food OR 7–9 oz wet food
🐾 Kittens
- Need about twice the calories per pound compared to adults.
- Should be fed 3–4 small meals daily until about 6 months old, then transition to 2 meals/day.
🐾 Seniors
- Often less active, so they may need 10–20% fewer calories unless they’re underweight or have health conditions.
📌 Important Tips
- Always check your cat food label — calorie content varies a lot between brands.
- Use body condition as your best guide:
- You should feel ribs but not see them.
- Waist should be visible from above.
- Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) can lead to overeating in indoor cats — measured meals are best.
✅ Quick Rule of Thumb: Most healthy adult cats need 20–25 calories per pound of body weight per day.