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Welcome to our cat food calculator! Maintaining your cat’s ideal weight is essential for overall health and well-being. Whether you prefer wet food, dry food, or a combination of both, our calculator is designed to help you determine the perfect portion sizes to keep your feline friend fit and healthy. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to ensure your cat gets the nutrition without overfeeding or underfeeding. In this article, we will explore the following: 

• Enter your cat’s weight, diet ratio, food calorie values, and activity level to calculate daily feeding amounts.
• Understand how often to feed your cat daily based on their specific needs.
• Explore the benefits of feeding wet food, dry food, or both.
• Learn how many treats you can safely include in your cat’s diet.
• Check if your cat is at their ideal weight and adjust food portions for overweight or underweight cats.
• Get feeding recommendations tailored for kittens to support their growth.
• Please find out how to adjust feeding for senior cats to maintain their health and energy levels.
• Discover the best wet and dry food types for your cat’s unique needs.

Cat Food Portion Calculator: Find the Right Amount to Feed Your Cat

Step 1. Enter your cat’s weight.

To estimate how much food to feed your cat, enter their weight in kilos (Kg). You can find this by checking with your veterinarian for the most recent weight measurement, or if you prefer to measure it at home, consider investing in digital pet scales for precise readings.

Investing in digital scales for home use is a great way to keep track of your cat’s weight regularly. Monitoring their weight every 3-4 weeks can quickly identify trends. If their weight increases, adjusting their calorie intake can help prevent obesity. Conversely, if you notice unintentional weight loss, it may indicate an underlying health issue that needs veterinary attention. Regular weight checks are a simple yet effective way to support your cat’s overall health and well-being.

Step 2: Choose Dry vs. Wet Food Ratio

The wet to dry food ratio depends on your cat’s unique needs, health conditions, preferences, practicality, and budget.

You can choose:

• 100% wet food,
• 100% dry food, or
• A combination, such as 50% wet and 50% dry.

Feel free to adjust the wet food portion for convenience, like feeding one whole can.

For the best guidance, always consult your veterinarian to determine your cat’s ideal balance of wet and dry food.

Step 3: Input the kcal/kg of the Food.

Found on the Packaging or Online

You can find your cat’s food’s kcal/kg (energy content) on the packaging label or online under the nutritional or feeding guidelines. As a reference:

• Dry food generally contains 3,500–4,500 kcal/kg.
• Wet food typically ranges from 750–1,200 kcal/kg.

This information is essential for accurate portion calculations.

 Convert Kcal/100g to Kcal/kg

The calorie content is sometimes listed as kcal/100g instead of kcal/kg. To convert it, multiply the value by 10. For example, if the food is labelled as 85 kcal/100g, it equals 850 kcal/kg. This step ensures accurate calculations for your cat’s diet.

Convert Kcal/Can to Kcal/kg

Occasionally, the calorie content is provided per can or pouch. To convert this into kcal/kg, you’ll need to use the food’s net weight (in grams or ounces) and the total number of kcal in one can.

Here’s how to calculate it:

1. Find the total kcal in one can or pouch.
2. Note the net weight of the can or pouch (in grams or ounces).
3. Convert the net weight to kilograms (if necessary).
4. Divide the total kcal by the net weight in kilograms to get kcal/kg.

This method helps you adjust the food’s energy content for proper portion control.

Calculate the Kcal/kg

If the kcal/kg value is not provided on the packaging, you can estimate it using our handy calculator. Just input the following details, typically found under the “Guaranteed Analysis” or “Analytical Constituents” section:

• Moisture
• Protein
• Fat
• Crude Fiber

Remember that the result will be an approximation and may not be 100% accurate.

If the moisture or crude ash content is not listed, you can use these general assumptions:

• Dry food: 10% moisture and 7% ash
• Wet food: 80% moisture and 3% ash

If you cannot determine the kcal/kg of the food or lack the necessary details to calculate it, or if you prefer a more accurate figure than the one provided by the calculator, it’s best to contact the company directly. They should be able to give you the exact information you need.

These values are meant to serve as rough estimates.

Step 4 – Choose your cat's activity level

To determine your cat's calorie needs, consider their weight and activity level, as more active cats require more calories. Here are the activity level categories:

• Inactive: Cats that mostly sleep or rest with little physical activity risk becoming overweight (resting energy requirements x 1).
• Average: Cats that rest but also engage in play and exercise, with environmental enrichment and occasional outdoor access (resting energy requirements x 1.2).
• High: Cats that explore large outdoor areas or go for regular walks, including intact (unneutered) cats, require more energy (resting energy requirements x 1.4).

Feeding Results.

The recommended daily amount of dry and wet food will be provided in grams, which can be divided across your cat's meals. However, remember that these amounts are estimates and may need adjustment based on regularly monitoring your cat's weight and body condition score (refer to our step-by-step guide on tracking this).

For accuracy:

• Weigh food using a digital scale rather than measuring with a cup.
• Studies show that using a cup can feed up to 80% more than needed.
• A standard cup is 250 ml/8 oz, but many scoops may be larger than this.

Regular monitoring and accurate portioning are key to maintaining your cat's ideal weight.

How Many Times a Day Should You Feed Cats?

Feeding Habits of Cats.

Cats are naturally adapted to eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, similar to their wild ancestors, the African Wildcat, which consumed 7-20 small prey items daily. Mimicking this behavior can improve cats' health and wellness. Studies also show that increasing meal frequency boosts cats' water intake.

Meal Frequency.

Cats should be fed at least twice daily, though 3-6 small meals are ideal. Preferences vary, with some cats happy on two meals daily, while others thrive on multiple smaller meals.

Suggested Feeding Routine.

1. Offer wet food in the morning and evening.
2. Use a puzzle feeder during the day for dry food to provide enrichment.
3. Consider an automatic feeder like the Cat Mate Automatic Feeder, which dispenses up to five meals daily, keeps wet food fresh with ice packs, and allows precise portion control.

Avoid Once-a-Day Feeding.

Feeding your cat only once a day can leave them hungry for extended periods, causing discomfort and increasing the likelihood of vomiting after eating large meals.

Portion Control.

Regardless of the number of meals, ensure proper portioning by evenly dividing the daily food allowance and weighing meals for accuracy. This helps you to maintain your cat's ideal weight and overall health.

Use our calculator to determine the size of each meal.

Should I Feed Wet or Dry Cat Food, or a Combination?

Combining wet and dry cat food offers an excellent approach to providing a balanced and nutritious diet. This mix ensures your cat receives an optimal protein, vitamins, nutrients, trace elements, and hydration supply. Wet food helps address the issue of low water intake, especially for cats that tend to drink less from their water bowl, while dry food adds variety and supports dental health. By feeding a combination of both, you can more effectively cater to your cat’s nutritional needs and overall well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining your cat's ideal weight is a cornerstone of their overall health and well-being. With the right tools, such as a feeding calculator and digital scales, you can precisely tailor your cat's diet to meet their needs. By considering factors like weight, activity level, and food type, you can ensure they receive optimal nutrition while avoiding overfeeding or underfeeding. Regular monitoring, accurate portioning, and incorporating enrichment through puzzle feeders or automatic dispensers can enhance your cat's physical and mental health. Remember, every cat is different, so consult your veterinarian for personalized recommendations and take proactive steps to keep your feline companion happy and healthy.