How Much and How Often to Feed a Cat (Kitten, Adult, Senior)
Daily calorie needs and feeding frequency for kittens, adult and senior cats, how to measure portions, and how to use body condition scoring.
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Overfeeding is one of the most common — and preventable — problems in pet cats. Many studies estimate that a large share of pet cats are overweight or obese, which increases their risk of diabetes, arthritis and a shorter life. Getting portions right is one of the best things you can do for your cat's health.
How many calories does a cat need?
Vets estimate a cat's energy needs from their ideal weight, starting with the Resting Energy Requirement (RER):
RER (kcal/day) = 70 × (ideal body weight in kg)^0.75
This is then multiplied by a factor for life stage and activity. As a rough guide, a typical neutered indoor adult cat at a lean 4 kg (9 lb) needs around 200–240 kcal per day. Individual needs vary by up to 50%, which is why monitoring matters more than any formula.
| Life stage | Typical multiplier of RER |
|---|---|
| Kitten under 4 months | about 3.0 |
| Kitten 4–12 months | about 2.0–2.5 |
| Neutered adult | about 1.2 |
| Intact (not neutered) adult | about 1.4 |
| Inactive or weight-gain-prone adult | about 1.0 |
| Weight loss (at ideal weight, under vet guidance) | about 0.8 |
| Senior (varies) | about 1.1–1.4 |
How often to feed
| Age | Meals per day |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks – 6 months | 3–4 |
| 6–12 months | 2–3 |
| Adult | 2 or more (small frequent meals suit many cats) |
| Senior | 2 or more; watch for appetite changes |
Cats naturally eat many small meals. Splitting the daily ration into several portions — or using puzzle feeders — often works better than one big meal. Free feeding (leaving a full bowl of dry food out all day) makes it hard to control intake and is a common cause of obesity.
Measure properly
- Weigh dry food on a kitchen scale. A "cup" can vary by 20% or more depending on how it's scooped.
- Count treats, which should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
- If you feed both wet and dry, reduce each portion so the total calories stay the same.
- Everyone in the household should know the daily amount — "extra breakfasts" add up.
Use body condition, not just the scales
Vets use a body condition score (BCS), often on a 9-point scale where 5 is ideal:
- Ideal (4–5/9): you can easily feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat; there's a visible waist behind the ribs when viewed from above; only a small abdominal fat pad.
- Overweight (6–7/9): ribs hard to feel; waist barely visible; rounded belly.
- Obese (8–9/9): ribs can't be felt; no waist; heavy fat deposits on belly, face and limbs.
- Underweight (1–3/9): ribs, spine and hip bones easily visible or felt with no fat covering.
Weigh your cat monthly (weigh yourself holding the cat, then subtract your own weight) and adjust portions by around 10% if the trend is up or down.
Kittens
Kittens need energy-dense kitten food and frequent meals. Don't restrict a growing kitten's food severely, but do monitor body condition — kittens can become overweight too, particularly after neutering. Read kitten care routine.
Senior cats
Some older cats gain weight as they slow down; many cats over about 12 lose weight because of reduced digestive efficiency or illness. Unexplained weight loss in an older cat always warrants a vet visit — it can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, dental pain or cancer. See senior cat care.
Weight loss safely
Never put a cat on a crash diet. Rapid weight loss or fasting can trigger hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which is life-threatening. A safe rate is around 0.5–2% of body weight per week, under your vet's guidance. Read overweight cats and neutering.
