How Much Should You Feed Your Cat?

Feeding your cat should be a simple part of your day. But, many cat owners aren’t aware that they should carefully measure their cat’s food to ensure they feed the right amount.

How much your cat eats is just as important as their feeding schedule: Too much food can lead to problems like obesity (which can come with a host of other health issues like diabetes and joint problems), and too little food can leave your cat hungry and begging.

So, how much is the right amount, and when should you feed your cat? The answer depends on factors like your cat’s age and activity level. Here, we explore what determines how much your cat should eat, portion conversions, and tips for managing their weight.

Portion control is vital for felines. Overfeeding can result in health conditions such as:

• Obesity: This is one of the greatest risks for indoor cats, affecting up to 63% of cats in developed countries.

• Joint stress: Resulting from weight gain

• Diabetes: Obesity ultimately increases the likelihood of type 2 diabetes

Underfeeding isn’t any better. It can cause issues such as:

• Unhealthy weight loss

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Behavioral issues like incessant begging for food

• Reduced growth and development

If you’re serious about helping your pet be as healthy as possible, then you’ll need to put some thought into what you feed your cat. As you choose the best feeding schedule and amount of food for your cat, consider the following details:

An adult cat needs a different feeding schedule and calorie content than a kitten. Typically, a senior cat requires fewer calories and fewer mealtimes than a young adult cat. So, consider your cat’s age when calculating how much food they need.

Your cat’s breed will influence many factors, including its activity level and size. These factors will impact how much food the cat needs. Usually, larger and heavier cats need to eat more than smaller cats.. For example, a Maine Coon will require far more calories than a slender Siamese cat.

Some cats are more active than others, and their activity level will impact how much food they need. A cat that sleeps most of the day and spends most of their time indoors needs fewer calories than one that hunts and plays outdoors regularly.

If your cat is pregnant or nursing, they will need more nutrition than a cat that is not. If you have had your cat spayed or neutered, then they will need fewer calories. The hormone change slows their metabolism, resulting in fewer calories needed to maintain their weight.

Your cat’s health also impacts their nutritional needs. A sick cat, such as one with intestinal parasites, may need an increased number of calories for a short period while recovering.

However, not all illnesses will require increased food intake. Obesity, for example, will require the opposite.

If you’re unsure of your pet’s health status, schedule a consultation with a vet for a complete checkup. You can also conduct an at-home rib test to determine if your cat is overweight.

For this, gently run your hand over their ribs. If it’s soft and squishy like the palm of your hand, then your cat’s overweight. If you can feel distinct ribs protruding from the skin, then your cat is too skinny. In a healthy cat, you’ll be able to feel the ribs slightly, but there will be a thin layer of muscle and fat over them.

To help your cat stay healthy and at an optimal weight, carefully choose the amount of food you feed them. Most veterinary nutritionists agree that free feeding (leaving dry food in your cat’s dish) can set the stage for obesity. So, have set feeding times and amounts, keeping your cat’s age, activity level and current weight in mind.

It’s important to note that an estimated 63% of cats in developed countries are overweight. That said, most recommendations are designed for cats at a healthy weight with ideal body condition. So, if an owner of an obese cat follows the recommendations for a cat at a healthy weight, it may just further contribute to their obesity.

Exact caloric intake recommendations will vary between sources. But, because it’s much easier to increase intake than it is to take weight off once it is put on, professionals ‘lean’ towards leaner feeding guidelines and suggest adjusting intake to achieve a healthy body weight, unless your vet recommends otherwise. Here are some lean calorie recommendations based on age:

• Adult cats: Roughly 200 calories per day

• Adolescents: 250 to 280 calories a day, unless they’re a large breed

• Kittens: 60 to 65 calories per pound of body weight every day

Each life stage has varying caloric requirements. So, your cat’s age is one of the most important factors to consider when determining how much to feed them. Here’s a breakdown of how much and when to feed them:

As mentioned, adult cats need an estimated 200 calories daily to stay healthy. Seeing as cats often prefer multiple small meals over one large meal, it’s best to divide their caloric intake by their feeding frequency. If you feed them twice a day, as is common among many cat parents, aim for 100 calories per meal.

For easy portion control, check each food item’s label for calorie information and measure your feline friend’s food accordingly. For example, our dry clusters are about 450 calories per cup. If your cat is of average size and weight, you’d need to serve approximately half a cup per mealtime (for cats that eat twice a day).

Cats in the 6–18-month age range have higher metabolism and growth needs than adult cats. So, as recommended before, their feeding frequency and calorie intake should be higher (250 to 280 calories daily served over multiple mealtimes).

Remember to gradually reduce their calories and meal frequency as they grow so they can have an easier time adjusting when they reach adult size.

Kittens need the most calories to support normal development. This isn’t to say that you should fill their bowls throughout the day. Weigh them, determine their calorie needs based on the “60 to 65 calories per pound of body weight” rule and divide their calorie intake over several mealtimes to prevent overeating. For example, if you have a five-pound kitten, you could feed them 100 calories three times a day to meet their daily needs.

To convert calories into portion sizes, read the labels on your cat food packaging. See how many cups or cans are considered one serving and how many calories are in each serving. Then, determine how many cups or cans your cat needs.

For example, if a bag of dry cat food says that one-quarter cup contains 125 calories, and your cat needs 250 calories, then you’ll need to measure one-half cup of food — that’s all that your cat needs for the day. This applies to wet cat food as well.

Check their labels to determine the number of calories in one serving and do your calculations based on your pet’s needs. If they need 250 calories every day, for example, 125 calories could come from dry food and the rest from wet food.

It’s worth noting, however, that equal caloric measurements don’t equate to equal food volumes. Dry cat food tends to be more calorie-dense, while wet food is moisture-dense, so 125 calories of wet food will be a larger portion. For example, you may need to feed your feline friend a quarter cup of kibble and half a cup of wet food, depending on their calorie composition.

If you want to feed your cat human food , be sure to measure it too, to make sure it doesn’t exceed your cat’s daily calorie limit. For this, you’ll need to use a digital kitchen scale and convert each macronutrient into its calorie equivalent using calorie counting apps.

If your cat’s getting a little chunky, you may want to cut back on their food intake. Talk to your vet about how to cut back without adversely affecting their nutritional needs.

If your feline friend is healthy, your vet may recommend that you go for lower carbohydrate food. Such food tends to have higher protein content and may, therefore, help them burn fat.

You can also increase your cat’s daily activity level by investing in climbing structures and regularly engaging them in interactive play. If this doesn’t work, follow the 80% rule to reduce their calorie intake — cut your cat’s caloric intake to 80% of the recommended daily intake amount.

Unfortunately, cats don’t like having their calories cut, and many will continue to beg if they see less food in their dish. One way you can offset this is to add water or broth to the food to help them feel fuller.

Another way is to use a food bowl that’s just large enough for one full meal. This way, your cat won’t notice less food on their plate. Ideally, your food bowl should be wide and shallow to not only fill well but also prevent whisker fatigue.

While the portions you feed your cat are important, the quality of the food is also key to helping your cat maintain a healthy weight and development.

One way to ensure your cat gets the nutrients they need is by opting for high-quality pet food. If you’re looking for human grade food for your cat that tastes great and is packed with nutrients, consider The Honest Kitchen. Some excellent options for your feline friend include:

• Grain Free Dehydrated Cat Food: Available in Chicken, Turkey and Chicken & Fish varieties, this collection is suitable for kittens, adolescents and adult cats. You just need to adjust your servings, something we provide guidance on with every purchase.

• Grain Free Whole Food Clusters: Also available in Chicken, Chicken & Turkey and Chicken & Whitefish flavors, this is the first human grade dry food, making it an excellent option for cats with sensitive stomachs . As with our dehydrated food collection, we provide serving guidelines tailored to your cat’s age and weight to promote optimal feeding.

• Grain Free Câtés (Chicken, Turkey and Duck): Formulated in goat’s milk and bone broth gravy, these are great options if you’re trying to cut your feline friend’s calorie intake while still maintaining the illusion of “full” food bowls.

While it may be tempting to feed cats every time they scratch their bowls or cry for food, doing so will do more harm than good. Control your feline friend’s calorie intake, making sure they receive sufficient nutrients to promote growth and development without overfeeding them. Also, be sure to choose high-quality foods to avoid feeding your little friend empty calories.

The Honest Kitchen offers some of the highest quality cat foods on the market, each accompanied by portion size recommendations. All our food options are human grade, made with ethically sourced, fresh ingredients in a human approved facility, ensuring your pet gets the most value from their diet.

Browse our cat food collection for tasty, high-quality recipes that promote your feline friend’s wellbeing.