Is it OK to feed both wet and dry food?

Yes – many owners split the daily calories between wet and dry. Keep the total daily calories at your cat's target; a common split is around 50% wet and 50% dry by calories, which keeps hydration up while retaining the convenience of kibble.

Does this calculator replace my vet?

No. It gives a data-based starting point using standard veterinary nutrition formulas. Individual cats vary, so weigh your cat monthly and adjust, and ask your vet for a plan if your cat is a kitten, senior, pregnant, ill, or needs to lose or gain weight.

LimeCats · Free Tool

Cat Food Portion Calculator

Q: How many calories does my cat need per day?

Most healthy adult cats need roughly 200–280 kcal per day. We estimate it from body weight with the resting energy requirement (RER = 70 × body weight in kg^0.75), multiplied by a life-stage factor: about 1.2× RER for a neutered indoor adult, 1.4× for an intact or active adult, 1.1–1.2× for seniors, around 2.0–2.5× for growing kittens, 0.8× RER for weight loss and 1.6× RER for weight gain.

Q: How much wet food should I feed my cat?

Divide your cat's daily calorie need by the food's energy density. A typical 3 oz (85 g) can of wet food holds about 75–90 kcal, a 5.5 oz (156 g) can about 150–190 kcal. A 4.5 kg (10 lb) neutered indoor cat needing about 240 kcal/day eats roughly 2.5 to 3 cans of 3 oz wet food per day.

How much should you actually feed your cat? Enter a few details and we'll estimate the daily calories (using the same RER/MER formula vets use) and turn it into grams of wet food, dry food or a mix.

Your cat's weight Weigh your cat if you can – a bathroom scale works (weigh yourself, then yourself holding the cat).

Life stage

Neutered / spayed?

Activity & body condition

"Less active" = mostly sleeping, little play. "High" = outdoor access or lots of daily play.

Goal

Feeding style

Advanced: energy density of your food (optional)

Wet food (kcal per 100 g) Most pâté cans: 85–110.

Dry food (kcal per 100 g) Most kibble: 350–420.

Please enter a valid weight.

Estimates only – individual cats vary. Weigh your cat monthly and adjust. · As an Amazon Associate LimeCats earns from qualifying purchases.

How we calculate it

We use the standard veterinary nutrition approach: first the resting energy requirement (what your cat burns at rest), then a life-stage factor for age, neutering, activity and goal. The method is the same one used in WSAVA-style feeding guidelines.

RER (kcal/day) = 70 × body weight (kg)^0.75
Daily calories = RER × life-stage factor

Life-stage factors we use

Situation	Factor × RER
Kitten under 4 months	2.5×
Kitten 4–9 months	2.0×
Junior 9–12 months	1.5×
Adult, neutered, indoor	1.1–1.2×
Adult, intact or active/outdoor	1.4×
Senior (7+)	1.1–1.2×
Weight loss (use ideal weight)	0.8×
Weight gain	1.6×

From calories to grams

A food's label shows its energy density, usually as kcal per 100 g (or kcal per can/cup). We divide your cat's daily calories by that number. Reference values we use: a 3 oz (85 g) wet can ≈ 75–90 kcal, a 5.5 oz (156 g) can ≈ 150–190 kcal, and dry food ≈ 350–420 kcal per 100 g. Adjust the fields above if your food differs – the label always wins.

Reality check: These numbers are a starting point, not gospel. Feed to your cat, not the calculator: if ribs get hard to feel, you're overfeeding; if you see ribs and a sharp spine, underfeeding. Re-weigh monthly and adjust by about 10%.

Cat feeding – quick answers

How many calories does my cat need per day?

Most healthy adult cats need roughly 200–280 kcal per day. A 4.5 kg (10 lb) neutered indoor adult lands around 230–250 kcal. Growing kittens need two to three times as much per kilogram, which is why kitten food is more energy-dense.

How much wet food should I feed my cat?

Divide the daily calorie target by the food's energy density. A 4.5 kg neutered indoor cat needing ~240 kcal eats about 3 cans of 3 oz or about 1.5 cans of 5.5 oz of typical pâté per day. Split it over two to three meals.

Is wet food better than dry?

Wet food is ~70–80% water, which supports hydration and urinary health – a real plus for cats, who are poor drinkers. Dry is convenient and cheaper per calorie. Many owners feed a mix; either way, total daily calories is what controls weight.

Can I free-feed dry food?

Free-feeding works for some kittens and very active cats, but it's the most common cause of feline obesity in indoor cats. If you free-feed, measure how much disappears in 24 hours and compare it with the target above.

Why is my cat still begging after a full portion?

Check the calorie math and your measuring (a "cup" of kibble by eye can be 30% off). Also rule out boredom (play more) and medical causes. If weight is rising, reduce by 10%; if it's falling, increase by 10% and re-check in two weeks.

Related guides

Best Wet Cat Food Best Organic Cat Food Best Kitten Food Cat Food Buying Guide Food Storage Containers Hydration Guide Cat Litter Finder