🐟 Cat Food Calculator (How Much to Feed)
Enter your cat's weight and life stage to get its daily calorie needs — and roughly how much of your food that is.
Daily calories (MER)
260 kcal
RER 216 × 1.2
≈ Cups per day
0.87
Per meal (2×/day)
0.43
Resting energy (RER) = 70 × weight(kg)^0.75; daily need (MER) = RER × a life-stage factor. Cups use the calories printed on your food's label (kcal/cup varies a lot). A guideline — your vet's advice and your pet's body condition come first. 🔒 In your browser.
How the cat food calculator (how much to feed) works
The Resting Energy Requirement is RER = 70 × (body-weight-kg)^0.75. Multiplying by a factor for the cat's status gives the daily need: about 1.2 for a neutered adult, 1.4 intact, 2.5 for a growing kitten, and 1.0 for weight management. Dividing by the calories per cup (or per can) on your food's label gives the amount to feed.
Cats are small, so portions are modest and precision matters — a 4–5 kg neutered cat needs only around 200–250 kcal a day. Obesity is common; measure meals rather than free-feeding, use the label's calorie content, and let your vet's body-condition assessment be the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my cat?
Estimate daily calories: RER = 70 × weight(kg)^0.75, then multiply by a factor (≈ 1.2 for a neutered adult). A typical 4.5 kg neutered cat needs roughly 210 kcal a day. Divide by your food's kcal-per-cup or per-can for the portion.
How many calories does a cat need per day?
It depends on weight and status. Many neutered indoor adult cats need about 180–250 kcal a day. The tool calculates it from RER × a life-stage factor for your cat's weight.
Why is my cat gaining weight?
Usually free-feeding or portions above needs, often with low activity. Neutered indoor cats have modest calorie needs (factor ≈ 1.2). Measure meals to a calorie target and check body condition with your vet.
How much should I feed a kitten?
Kittens need far more energy per kilo for growth — a factor around 2.5 versus 1.2 for a neutered adult. Choose the kitten option and feed to that higher estimate, split across several small meals.
Wet food or dry — does the amount change?
The calorie target is the same, but wet food has fewer calories per gram, so the volume is larger. Always convert using the kcal-per-can or kcal-per-cup on your specific food's label.