How many calories does my cat need per day?

Most neutered indoor adult cats need roughly 1.2 times their resting energy requirement, which is about 180–250 calories per day for a typical 8–11 lb cat. Active, intact, or growing cats need more.

How much wet food should I feed my cat?

Divide your cat's daily calorie target by the calories per can or pouch (listed on the label) to get the number of servings per day.

Should cats eat once or twice a day?

Two or more small meals a day suits most cats and mirrors their natural grazing pattern. Avoid leaving large amounts of dry food out all day for cats prone to weight gain.

Cat Food Calculator

How much should you feed your cat? Get a daily calorie estimate based on weight, life stage, and activity.

Cat's weight

Life stage & activity

Food calories per serving — kcal per cup of dry or per can of wet

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kcal per day

How the cat food calculator works

A cat's daily energy need starts from its Resting Energy Requirement (RER):

RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75

That figure is multiplied by an activity factor for the cat's life stage. Neutered indoor adults — the majority of pet cats — sit around 1.2×, while kittens need 2–2.5× for growth. Divide the result by the calories in your food (per cup of dry, or per can of wet) to find how much to serve.

Typical daily calorie needs

Cat weight	Neutered adult (kcal/day)

Wet vs dry food

Wet food has more moisture and often fewer calories per gram, which can help weight control and hydration. Dry food is convenient and calorie-dense, so portions are smaller. Whichever you choose, weigh or measure servings rather than eyeballing them — feline obesity is one of the most common preventable health problems.

⚠️ This is a starting estimate. Adjust based on your cat's body condition — you should be able to feel the ribs with a light fat covering. Confirm weight-loss plans with your vet, since cats must lose weight slowly to avoid serious liver problems.

Frequently asked questions

How much wet food per day?

Divide the daily calorie estimate by the calories per can (on the label). A typical 3 oz can is ~70–100 kcal, so a 200 kcal/day cat needs about 2–3 cans.

Is my cat overweight?

If you can't easily feel the ribs and there's no visible waist from above, your cat is likely overweight. Switch the activity setting to "weight loss" and check with your vet.

How often should I feed my cat?

Two or more small meals a day matches a cat's natural grazing behavior and helps prevent overeating.