How much food should I feed my cat?

Working out how much food to feed your cat might seem like a daunting task, as there isn’t a simple answer. The correct amount will depend on your cat, their health and lifestyle, the type of food you are feeding them and maybe even more factors! Here, we cover the points you need to consider when finding the ideal amount of food for your feline friend. 

A cat’s nutritional requirements

Cats need a specific amount of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, water, fibre) in their diet to maintain their health. Complete cat foods will contain the required amounts of each, giving the full range of nutrients in one product. Knowing what your cat is eating is important ;but is often difficult if your cat goes outside, as they potentially may eat from the wilderness as well as stealing other animals’ foods. In addition, many pet cats receive treats which need to be taken into consideration.

You should read the packaging on the food you have chosen for your pet

You’ll need to know your pet’s weight; then you can use the information on the packaging to see how many grams of this food your pet cat requires. If you are unsure how much your pet cat weighs, you can book a nurse consultation at your veterinary practice in order to get your cat weighed. The nurse will also be able to advise on the body condition score of your cat. This will help you to know if your cat needs to lose or gain weight. This is important as you will be able to adjust their food volume appropriately to match their dietary needs.

How much to feed…

In general, follow the instructions on the box or packet – they will be appropriate the the majority of cats. However, if your cat is slightly overweight, you will need to feed slightly less than the recommended amount. If your pet is underweight, you will need to increase the volume of food offered by a small amount. Depending on the rate at which you want their weight to change will depend on how much you later the volumes. We recommend starting at a 5% change; and reweighing your pet to see how the change has affected their bodyweight after a week, prior to taking further adjustment measures.

If your pet goes outdoors, they are likely to do more exercise in comparison to an indoor cat. Do not suddenly drastically drop the calorie intake for an outdoor cat; as they may start going to find food elsewhere instead. You should do this very gradually. You could also get your cat a collar asking other people not to feed your cat if they are on a specific diet. This will help to give you more control. 

Don’t neglect to seek veterinary attention

Seeking veterinary help with your cat’s diet may be useful; as a general health check will also include an oral examination. This may reveal more information about their dental health to take into consideration when thinking about your cat’s diet. In addition, if your cat is more than slightly overweight, professional assistance is really important in safely and sustainably dropping their weight. If they are significantly underweight, it is essential that you rule out medical problems (such as kidney disease, thyroid problems, or even cancers) before adjusting their diet.

Remember to weigh the food!

Don’t guess – make sure you are feeding the correct amount. Using kitchen scales is an easy way to weigh out portions of dry food, kibble or biscuits. This helps us to accurately feed our pets, so we are aware of the nutrients they are receiving and how their body responds to them. Weighing out the total volume of dry food your pet cat will eat throughout the day at the start of the day can help with portion control. This is because you can see the whole amount of food they will eat; and can therefore stagger the meals appropriately.

Also, if several people are feeding the cat, they can take the food from the pre-measured portion; so there is no confusion over the amount that has been given. Do not forget to include any extra treats in their total kcal count for the day. Especially if you are aiming for your pet to lose weight!

Changing the food your cat is on needs to be a very gradual process

You must mix different foods in varying ratios in order to allow the gut flora to adjust to the new nutrients you are supplying your pet. Sudden changes in food intake often leads to gastrointestinal upset and illness. If cats do not eat for a prolonged period of time, or if you reduce an overweight cat’s food intake too quickly, they commonly suffer from a medical problem called hepatic lipidosis. If your cat does not eat any food for 24 hours, please contact your veterinary practice for further help.

To conclude, there is no one, simple, strict rule for how much you should feed your cat

Factors including the type of food, the lifestyle of your cat and the additional food your cat eats will play a key role in how much your cat needs to be fed. Any changes in your cat’s diet should be made slowly. And you should monitor the effect they have on the cat. And, as always, you can get help with this at your vet practice if you need it. Vet nurses are trained to help with pet nutrition and will be happy to chat about your pet’s specific needs.

Further reading:

• Feeding your Cat or Kitten | International Cat Care
• Feeding your cat | Cats Protection
• 3 Cat Feeding Methods – Pros and Cons of Each | Hill’s Pet