how many calories a cat should eat Just like with cats, a human’s daily calorie needs depend on several factors. Calories, which are the energy we get from food, are essential for vital processes like digestion, breathing, brain function, and circulation. Beyond these basic requirements, the number of calories someone needs daily is influenced by their age, gender, activity level, and overall body condition.
For example:
how many calories a cat should eat Young, growing individuals, people who are highly active, or those recovering from illness may need more calories to support their energy demands.
how many calories a cat should eat On the other hand, older adults, those with a more sedentary lifestyle, or individuals aiming to manage their weight might require fewer calories.
how many calories a cat should eat Understanding these factors is key to tailoring a diet that supports both health and lifestyle goals.
How to Calculate How Much Your Cat Can Eat Per Day
how many calories a cat should eat Feeding the right amount of food is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and overall well-being. Eating too little can leave your body without enough energy, while eating too much can lead to weight gain and potential health issues. Here’s how you can determine the right amount of food for yourself:
how many calories a cat should eat 1. Check Your Weight
Start by weighing yourself. The easiest way to do this at home is by using a scale. For the most accurate results, weigh yourself holding an object (or even your pet!) and then weigh yourself alone. Subtract the second weight from the first to determine the weight of the object.
how many calories a cat should eat For example, if you and your pet weigh 161 pounds together and you alone weigh 150 pounds, the pet’s weight is 11 pounds. Similarly, you can track your weight over time to adjust your calorie intake and ensure you’re meeting your needs without overindulging.
Use a cat calorie calculator to calculate resting energy JJrequirements (RER). (Table 1):
how many calories a cat should eat To determine your daily energy needs, start with your Resting Energy Requirement (RER) — the baseline number of calories your body needs to support essential functions like breathing and digestion. However, the RER only covers the basics and doesn’t account for factors like activity level, lifestyle, or other individual needs.
how many calories a cat should eat To get a more accurate estimate of your total daily energy needs, multiply your RER by a specific factor that reflects your energy demands. For example, someone with a sedentary lifestyle may need fewer calories than their RER suggests, while an active individual might require nearly double the amount. Choose the factor that best matches your lifestyle to find the right balance.
how many calories a cat should eat To make sure you’re feeding the right amount of calories, start by checking the nutritional information on your food packaging or online. Typically, dry food contains more calories per ounce compared to canned food. You might see the calorie count listed as “calories” or “kilocalories,” but they mean the same thing. Once you know how many calories are in the food you’re feeding, you can better estimate your daily intake.
how many calories a cat should eat Keep in mind that treats should make up no more than 10% of your daily calories. Just like with human food, where 1 cup of cooked green beans has about 44 calories and a cup of macaroni salad can have around 360 calories, pet food varies in calorie density. Some formulas are more calorie-dense than others, meaning you might need to feed less.
how many calories a cat should eat To figure out the right amount to feed, first subtract the calories from any treats you give. If you feed two meals a day, divide the remaining calories by two to get the right portion for each meal. Make sure to use the calorie count on your specific food to measure accurately.
how many calories a cat should eat Here are some examples to show you how to use a cat calorie calculator to determine your cat’s daily calorie needs:
Example 1
Let’s say you have a 9-pound adult cat. First, check Table 1 to see how many basic calories your cat needs. For this cat, it’s 200 calories per day. Since your cat is an average, indoor cat with a moderate activity level, you look at Table 2 and see that the factor for calculating daily energy needs is “1.” Multiply 200 x 1 to get 200 calories. If you’re feeding dry food with 200 calories per cup, this means your cat can eat 1 cup of food per day.
Example 2
Now, let’s consider a 12-pound, very active male cat that hasn’t been neutered. From Table 1, we know he needs 250 calories per day. Because he is active and intact, you check Table 2 and see the factor for him is 1.4. Multiply 250 x 1.4 to get 350 calories per day. This means he needs 350 calories each day to maintain his energy.
Example 3
For a 4-pound, 7-month-old kitten who’s very active, Table 1 shows she needs 110 calories per day. Since she’s still a kitten, the factor from Table 2 is 2, reflecting the higher energy needs of young, growing cats. Multiply 110 x 2 to get 220 calories per day. This kitten can eat 220 calories a day to support her growth and activity level.
These examples show how different factors—like age, activity level, and whether your cat is intact—affect how many calories they need. Use the calculator to find the right daily calorie count for your cat and ensure they’re staying healthy and energized.
If your cat is overweight, helping them reach a healthier weight is a good decision for their overall well-being. Here’s an example of how to calculate the calories for weight loss:
Let’s say during a recent vet visit, the vet points out that your cat’s body condition is too high. You notice their belly is sagging, and when looking at them from above, there’s no defined “hourglass” shape. The cat weighs 19 pounds. According to Table 1, the basic RER (Resting Energy Requirement) for a 19-pound cat is 353 calories per day. Next, you refer to Table 2 for weight loss, where the factor for this goal is 0.8. So, you multiply 353 x 0.8 to get 282 calories. This means your cat should eat 282 calories per day to safely lose weight.
Important Note: Any changes to your cat’s diet should always be discussed with your veterinarian first. If you’re concerned about the cost of routine care, pet insurance may be able to help with wellness visits. Click here to learn more.
Some cats can be too thin and may need to gain a few extra pounds to reach a healthy weight. Thin cats often show signs such as a visibly narrowed waist, protruding rib cage, and exposed bony processes along the spine. If your cat is too lean, here’s how to calculate the calories needed for weight gain:
Let’s say you have a 6-pound cat and you want to calculate their calorie needs for gaining weight. According to Table 1, the basic RER (Resting Energy Requirement) for a 6-pound cat is 149 calories. For weight gain, you refer to Table 2, where you see a factor of 1.8 to calculate their energy requirements. Multiply 149 calories x 1.8 to get 268.2 calories. This means your 6-pound cat needs approximately 268 calories per day to gain weight.
Rule-of-Thumb Cat Calorie Calculator
As a general guideline, an adult cat typically needs between 20 to 33 calories per pound of body weight, depending on their activity level. For example, a 10-pound indoor cat would need about 200 calories a day, while a more active outdoor cat might require around 330 calories daily.
I hope this article helps you better understand how to calculate your cat’s calorie needs. If you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s diet, be sure to consult with your veterinarian.
