Cat Food Calculator
Find out how much to feed your cat each day. Works for dry, wet and raw feeding, based on weight, age, activity and weight goal.
Your cat's daily feeding plan
If you feed raw: daily split (80/10/5/5)
Total raw food per day: —
| Component | Share | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle meat | 80% | — |
| Raw edible bone | 10% | — |
| Liver | 5% | — |
| Other organ | 5% | — |
Estimate only. Start here, then adjust every 2–3 weeks based on your cat's body condition.
Cat Feeding Chart by Weight
A quick reference for a neutered adult cat with normal activity. Wet food cans assume 75 kcal per 3 oz can; raw assumes 3% of body weight.
| Cat weight | Calories / day | Raw / day | 3 oz cans / day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 131 | 54 g | 1.7 |
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 178 | 82 g | 2.4 |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 221 | 109 g | 2.9 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 261 | 136 g | 3.5 |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 299 | 163 g | 4.0 |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 336 | 191 g | 4.5 |
| 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 371 | 218 g | 4.9 |
| 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 406 | 245 g | 5.4 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 439 | 272 g | 5.9 |
How the cat food calculator works
The calculator starts with your cat's resting energy requirement: RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75. It multiplies that by a factor for life stage and neutering (2.5 for kittens under 4 months, 2.0 for older kittens, 1.2 for neutered adults, 1.4 for intact adults, 1.1 for seniors), then adjusts for activity and your weight goal (20% less to lose weight, 20% more to gain). The result is converted into cups of dry food or cans of wet food using the calories you enter. For raw feeding it uses a percentage of body weight instead (about 3% for adults, 2.5% for seniors, 5–8% for kittens), split 80/10/5/5 between muscle meat, bone, liver and other organ. Cats are obligate carnivores, so raw diets should be properly balanced; ask your vet before switching.
FAQ
How much should I feed my cat?
A typical neutered adult cat eats about 20–30 calories per pound of body weight per day, which is roughly 200–300 kcal for a 10 lb cat. The calculator starts from the resting energy requirement and adjusts for age, neutering, activity and goal. Check the label on your cat's food and adjust to body condition.
How much wet food should I feed my cat?
A 10 lb adult cat usually needs around 3 to 4 standard 3 oz cans of wet food per day if wet food is the only diet, though calorie content varies by brand. Enter the calories per can from the label for an accurate figure.
How many calories does a cat need per day?
A neutered adult cat with normal activity needs about 1.2 × RER, where RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75. For a 4.5 kg (10 lb) cat that works out at roughly 260 kcal per day. Kittens and intact cats need more; sedentary or overweight cats need less.
How much dry food should I feed my cat?
Dry food is calorie dense, around 350–450 kcal per cup, so most adult cats need only about ⅓ to ½ cup a day. Measure with a proper cup or, better, weigh it on a kitchen scale.
How much raw food should a cat eat?
A common guide is 2–4% of ideal body weight per day for adult cats, so about 3% (136 g) for a 10 lb cat, and more for kittens. Raw diets need to be nutritionally complete, so talk to your vet or a feline nutritionist.
How often should I feed my cat?
Most adult cats do well with two to three meals a day. Kittens under 6 months need three to four small meals, and some owners use puzzle feeders or measured portions through the day.
How much should a kitten eat?
Kittens need about 2.5 × RER until 4 months and about 2 × RER until adulthood. Feed a food labelled for growth, in several small meals, and follow the feeding guide on the pack.
Can I feed my cat dog food?
No. Cats need nutrients such as taurine and arachidonic acid that dog food does not supply in adequate amounts, so long-term dog food can cause serious health problems.
Should I count treats?
Yes. Treats should be no more than about 10% of daily calories. The calculator shows a daily treat allowance, and you should reduce meals accordingly.
Is this calculator veterinary advice?
No. It is a general estimate. Cats vary a lot, so watch body condition and consult your vet, especially for kittens, pregnant or nursing cats, and cats with kidney disease, diabetes or other conditions.
About this tool
This calculator estimates how much food a cat needs each day using standard energy formulas, for dry, wet and raw diets. It is a general guide, not veterinary advice. Cats vary, so monitor body condition and ask your vet, especially for kittens, pregnant or nursing cats, and cats with health conditions.