Determining how much food a cat should eat can be confusing for a pet owner. many cats tend to graze all day and are usually very vocal about their feeding schedules. from a veterinary standpoint, the amount of food cats eat per day should be based on their ideal weight and the number of calories the average cat needs.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to consider when deciding how much to feed your cat. And if you’re looking for more ways to keep your furry family member happy and healthy, check out our cat insurance plans to see if it’s right for you.
healthy weight
To determine your cat’s healthy or ideal weight, your vet will perform an exam and determine an approximate weight range based on body size and body shape.
Cats should have ribs and a spine that are easy to feel but not too bony. when looking at a kitten from above, the abdomen (the region between the ribs and the hips) should taper slightly.
As cats enter adulthood, they may develop additional loose skin on the belly region between their legs. this extra skin and fat may actually be normal and is called the primordial bursa.
Veterinary experts aren’t exactly sure why cats get it, but it’s likely used to protect important structures in the belly during a fight. Your vet will likely evaluate this region to make sure it’s a normal size and doesn’t have too much or too little fat.
How many calories does my cat need?: calculate a cat’s daily calories
Assuming your cat is at a healthy weight and average activity level, you can use a formula to estimate the number of calories (also called kilocalories or kcal) your cat needs in a day:
calorie needs (kcal) = 1.2 [70 x (weight in pounds ÷ 2.2)0.75]
A healthy 10-pound cat with an average activity level will need to eat about 260 calories a day to maintain her weight. this amount is only an estimate and should be based on the cat’s needs: if she is overweight, she will need fewer calories. if he is very active, he will need more. if it is a pregnant or lactating cat, she will need many more calories.
Sick pets, such as those with cancer or kidney disease, will likely need more calories as well. Feeding the kittens is a bit trickier because of how fast they grow. your vet will be able to discuss ideal ways to meet your cat’s caloric needs if necessary.
calories in cat food
After you find out your cat’s ideal weight and the calories she needs to feed her each day, you can determine how much cat food to feed her.
Each bag of cat food should list how many calories are in the food. this information is usually on the side of the bag, usually below the ingredients and percentages of protein, fat, etc.
If you can’t find this information, you may need to check the cat food company’s website or call them. a food calorie label might look like this:
caloric content: 3515 kcal me/kg (319 kcal/cup)
This means that one kilogram of this cat food contains 3,515 calories (kilocalories of metabolizable [usable] energy) and a standard measuring cup has 319 calories.
This also works the same way for canned foods. If our 10-pound kitty in the example above needs about 260 calories a day, one cup of this food will be too much to eat in a 24-hour period.
Half a cup would only have 160 calories, which is not enough. if you give him ¾ of a cup, you’d be giving him 240 calories, which is close to meeting his caloric needs, but you’ll probably have to offer him a little more to make sure he gets enough.
can cats eat salt?
according to the association of american feed control officials (aafco), salt, in the form of sodium chloride, should make up 0.2% of the dry matter in foods for adult cats and kittens. other agencies suggest between .08 percent and .014 percent. but, this provides a general idea of what is needed.
There are exceptions: pregnant or lactating cats, cats going through a growth spurt or heat stress may need more sodium.
It’s hard for cats to overdose on dietary salt for two reasons. First, they tend to be discretionary eaters. therefore it would be unusual for a cat to willingly lick spilled table salt.
Second, a cat’s kidneys adjust salt and fluid levels in the body. in this way, they will compensate for the excess or lack of salt.
If a cat eats too much salt, it will become very thirsty. in severe cases, a cat becomes weak and disoriented. they may have trouble walking, vomit, have a fever, muscle twitching, and drink and urinate in large amounts.
How Often Should I Feed My Cat?
Many cats graze all day, which is normal. others prefer to be fed in the morning and at night. In some cases, such as kittens that only eat wet or canned food, specific feeding times are needed to ensure that the food is fresh and safe to eat.
Regardless, how often you should feed your cat in a day isn’t as important as making sure she’s getting the right amount of total calories each day. remember, the number calculated above is for a 24 hour period.
an easier way
calculation, measurement, and detective work aren’t for everyone. Fortunately, most cat food brands have made everyone’s lives easier by listing suggested feeding guidelines on the side of food bags and cans, as well as on their websites.
this means that once you and your vet determine your pet’s ideal weight, you can refer to the handy chart on the food, find their weight and age, and you’ll see a range based on measuring cups (or the amount per can if using canned food) needed per day.
As with calculating calories, cats with high calorie needs (eg, sick, underweight, pregnant, or nursing cats) or overweight cats will likely need adjustment in these tables.
quality of food
remember that the quality of food is just as important as the amount of calories. A cat’s nutritional needs include adequate amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, etc.
Even if you could calculate calories perfectly, if you feed your cat an unbalanced diet, her needs won’t be met and she won’t be able to benefit from the calories you give her. If you’re not sure if the cat food you’re feeding is right for your pet, consult your vet.
If you have concerns about your pet’s current weight and health, get checked out and make sure you and your cat are on the right track so issues can be quickly addressed and managed.
