How much should I feed my cat?

Overfeeding is the most common nutritional mistake cat owners make — and the resulting obesity shortens cat lives and causes joint disease, diabetes, and urinary problems. Getting the amount right matters.

Why there is no single answer

The right amount depends on:
- Your cat's current weight and target weight
- Their life stage (kitten, adult, senior, pregnant/nursing)
- Whether they are neutered (neutered cats need 20–30% fewer calories)
- Activity level (indoor vs outdoor)
- The specific food's caloric density (this varies enormously between brands)

A practical starting framework

Most adult cat foods provide guidance on-pack based on weight. Use these as a starting point only — they are designed conservatively and often slightly overestimate.

- Average adult indoor neutered cat (4 kg): approximately 200–250 kcal per day
- Wet food only: roughly 1 standard 85 g pouch per 1 kg body weight per day (a 4 kg cat ≈ 3–4 pouches)
- Dry food only: roughly 40–50 g per day for a 4 kg cat (dry food is calorie-dense; measure by weight, not by eye)
- Mixed diet: reduce both portions proportionally

How to actually calibrate

Forget the packaging. Weigh your cat monthly using bathroom scales (weigh yourself holding the cat, subtract). If weight is stable and body condition is ideal, the current amount is correct. If your cat is gaining weight, reduce food by 10% and recheck in 4 weeks.

Body condition scoring (BCS) — the real guide

Run your hands over your cat's ribs. You should feel each rib easily, like feeling knuckles through thin fabric. If you have to press to feel the ribs, your cat is overweight. If the ribs are visible and sharp, your cat is underweight. This hands-on assessment beats any chart.

Feeding frequency

Two meals per day is the minimum for adult cats. Three or four smaller meals better mirrors natural hunting patterns and may reduce begging. Puzzle feeders and scatter feeding are excellent ways to slow eating and provide mental stimulation.

Kittens

Kittens under 6 months need significantly more calories per kg body weight than adults and should generally eat as much as they want from high-quality kitten food, distributed across 3–4 meals per day.