Cat Calorie & Food Calculator
Enter your cat's weight and life stage, then the calories in your foods. Mixing wet and dry? Choose how much of the diet is wet food and we'll split it for you.
How the cat calorie calculator works
RER (kcal/day) = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75
Daily calories = RER × life-stage factor
| Cat | Factor × RER |
|---|---|
| Adult, spayed/neutered | 1.2 |
| Adult, intact | 1.4 |
| Inactive / obesity-prone | 1.0 |
| Weight loss | 0.8 (at target weight) |
| Kitten | 2.5 |
Example: a 4.5 kg (10 lb) neutered indoor cat has an RER of about 70 × 4.50.75 ≈ 217 kcal, so it needs roughly 217 × 1.2 ≈ 260 kcal per day. Fed half wet and half dry (80 kcal cans, 400 kcal/cup dry), that is about 1.6 cans plus 0.33 cup of dry food.
Feeding tips
- Wet food adds water to the diet, which many cats benefit from.
- Measure dry food — a small over-pour every day adds up for an indoor cat.
- Cats should lose weight slowly and only with a vet's plan. If a cat stops eating for more than a day or two, call your vet — cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver).
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does an indoor cat need?
A typical 4–5 kg (9–11 lb) neutered indoor cat needs about 200–280 kcal per day, but needs vary by up to 50%.
How much wet food should I feed my cat per day?
Divide the wet-food share of daily calories by the kcal per can. A 10 lb cat on wet food only needs roughly 260 kcal, or about 3 cans of an 85 kcal food.
Is it OK to mix wet and dry cat food?
Yes, many owners do. Just split the daily calories so the total does not go up.
Sources
- The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center — Basic calorie calculator for dogs and cats
- WSAVA — Global Nutrition Guidelines