How much should I feed my cat?
Most indoor adult cats need only about 200 to 280 calories a day. Vets work it out from the resting energy requirement (RER), then multiply by a factor for life stage. Because many indoor cats are not very active, the factors are lower than for dogs.
Daily calories = RER × life stage factor
Cans = wet share × calories ÷ kcal per can
Life stage factors for cats
| Cat | Factor × RER |
|---|---|
| Kitten up to 1 year | 2.5 |
| Adult, spayed or neutered | 1.2 |
| Adult, intact | 1.4 |
| Inactive or prone to weight gain | 1.0 |
| Weight loss | 0.8 × RER at the target weight |
| Senior, normal weight | 1.1 (older cats over 12 may need more) |
Worked example
A 10 lb (4.5 kg) neutered adult: RER = 70 × 4.54^0.75 = about 218 kcal. Daily calories = 218 × 1.2 = 261 kcal. Half from wet food is 131 kcal, about 1.5 cans of an 85 kcal can. The other half from dry food at 400 kcal per cup is about ⅓ cup.
Daily calories by weight (neutered adult)
| Weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 6 lb | 178 kcal |
| 8 lb | 221 kcal |
| 10 lb | 261 kcal |
| 12 lb | 299 kcal |
| 15 lb | 354 kcal |
Wet or dry food?
Both can be complete diets. Wet food adds water, which helps cats that drink little and those with urinary or kidney problems, and it is easier to portion for weight loss. Dry food is cheaper and can be used in puzzle feeders. Many vets suggest a mix. Whatever you choose, measure it: free-feeding dry food is a common reason indoor cats become overweight.
See your cat's age in human years with the cat age calculator. Feeding a dog too? Use the dog food calculator.
Sources: RER formula and feline energy factors as used in WSAVA and Pet Nutrition Alliance guidance and veterinary nutrition texts. Individual needs vary.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my cat a day?
A typical 10 lb neutered indoor cat needs about 260 calories a day. That is about 3 cans of an 85 kcal 3 oz wet food, or about ⅔ cup of a 400 kcal per cup dry food, or a mix of both.
How many cans of wet food should a cat eat?
Divide your cat's daily calories by the calories per can. An average adult cat eats two to three 3 oz cans a day if it gets only wet food.
How much dry food should a cat eat?
Usually about ½ to ¾ cup a day for an adult cat on dry food only, depending on weight and the calories per cup.
How many calories does a kitten need?
About 2.5 times its resting energy requirement until it is a year old. Kittens should be fed several small meals a day.
How can I help my cat lose weight?
Feed about 80% of the resting energy requirement for the target weight, measure every meal, and aim to lose no more than 1% to 2% of body weight a week. Check with your vet first.
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Last updated October 2026.