Cat Food Calculator

Calculate daily calories and food portions for your cat by weight, age and lifestyle.

Daily Calories
—
kcal/day
Dry Food
—
cups/day
Wet Food
—
oz/day

How the Cat Food Calculator Works

The calculator uses the veterinary Resting Energy Requirement formula — RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75 — as the starting point. This baseline is multiplied by a life stage factor that accounts for age, reproductive status and activity level. Kittens need 2.5× their RER to fuel rapid growth. Neutered indoor adults are multiplied by 1.2 — the lowest adult factor — because spaying or neutering reduces metabolic rate by roughly 25%. Intact or outdoor adults get 1.4–1.6×. Seniors drop to 1.1× as they are less active and prone to weight gain. The daily calorie result is then divided by the caloric density of your food: cups for dry kibble (typically 350–420 kcal/cup) and ounces for wet food (roughly 25 kcal/oz). For a mixed diet, the calculator splits daily calories evenly between dry and wet portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I feed my cat per day?
Adult indoor cats need roughly 20 kcal per pound of body weight. A 10-lb cat needs about 200 kcal/day — around half a cup of 380-kcal/cup dry food.
How many calories does a cat need?
Use RER = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life stage factor. Neutered adults use a 1.2 factor; kittens need 2.5× RER.
How much wet food should I feed my cat?
Wet food has roughly 25 kcal per ounce. A 10-lb adult cat needing 200 kcal/day needs about 8 oz of wet food daily.
Is it OK to mix dry and wet cat food?
Yes. Many vets recommend mixing — wet food adds hydration (cats are prone to dehydration) while dry food helps dental health.

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