How Much to Feed a Cat Per Day? (Dry Cups vs. Wet Cans)

Feeding your feline friend isn’t just about filling a bowl; it is about calculating calories based on lifestyle, age, and biology. Overfeeding is the leading cause of feline obesity, which can lead to diabetes and arthritis.

Here is the golden rule to start with: An active adult cat generally requires 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight per day. However, this number fluctuates significantly depending on whether you are feeding dry kibble, wet pate, or a mix of both.

There is no “one size fits all” measurement because nutrient density varies wildly between brands.

• Indoor Sedentary Cats These cats burn less energy and typically need about 20 calories per pound to maintain a healthy weight.
• Active Intact Cats Outdoor cats or those that have not been spayed/neutered have higher metabolic rates and may need up to 30–35 calories per pound.

Actionable Tip Always check the label on your pet food. Look for the “kcal/cup” (for dry) or “kcal/can” (for wet) to determine exactly how much cat food should a cat eat a day

• How much should a 6 lb cat eat per day A petite 6 lb cat usually requires about 160 calories. If they are inactive, drop this to roughly 130 calories to prevent weight gain.
• How much should a 9 lb cat eat per day This is a common size for female cats. Aim for roughly 180 to 200 calories for maintenance.
• How much should a 10 lb cat eat per day For the average house cat, 200–250 calories is the standard. This is often equivalent to about 1/2 cup of standard dry food (check your label!).
• How much should a 12 lb cat eat a day If your cat is naturally large and lean at 12 lbs, they may need 300 calories. However, if they are a smaller frame carrying extra fat, feed them for their goal weight (e.g., 10 lbs), not their current weight.
• How much should a 15 lb cat eat a day Unless you own a Maine Coon or Ragdoll, a 15 lb cat is likely obese. Do not feed them 400 calories. Feed them based on a target weight of 12 lbs (approx. 250 calories) to encourage weight loss.

Small Cats and Kittens
When asking how much should a small cat eat a day specifically kittens, the rules change. Kittens grow rapidly and burn massive amounts of energy.

• 2–5 Months They often need more calories than an adult cat, despite their small size.
• How much should a 6 month old cat eat a day At this stage, growth slows slightly but they are still developing. Depending on weight, they generally need 60–80g of dry food or equivalent calories.
• How much should a 7 month old cat eat a day They are approaching sexual maturity. You can begin transitioning from “free-feeding” to structured meal times to establish good habits.

Adults and Seniors

• How much should an adult cat eat a day From age 1 to 7, cats are in the maintenance phase. Stick to the charts above and monitor their Body Condition Score (BCS).
• How much should a senior cat eat a day Cats over 7 years old often have slower metabolisms and may move less due to arthritis. They generally need fewer calories. However, geriatric cats (12+ years) sometimes lose the ability to digest protein efficiently and may actually need increased food intake to maintain muscle mass.

Dry Food
Dry kibble is extremely calorie-dense.

• How much dry food should a cat eat a day The average dry food has about 400–500 kcal per cup. A 10 lb cat might only need 50–60 grams (approx. 1/2 cup) for the entire day.

Wet Food and Pate
Wet food is roughly 75–80% water, making it excellent for hydration but less calorie-dense.

• How much wet food should a cat eat a day You need a much higher volume of wet food to meet caloric needs.
• How much canned cat food should a cat eat a day An average 3 oz can contains about 70–90 calories. A 10 lb cat might need 2.5 to 3 cans per day if eating only wet food.
• How much pate should a cat eat a day Pate is often denser than “gravy” style foods, but the math remains similar. Always check the label.

• 100 calories from wet food (approx. 1 full 3 oz can).
• 100 calories from dry food (approx. 1/4 cup or 25g).

• Kittens 4–7 small meals daily. Their stomachs are too small to hold a full day’s worth of food at once.
• Adults 2–3 set meals are ideal. If you work all day, an automatic feeder can dispense smaller portions.

Note: Avoid leaving food out all day (free-feeding), especially for dry food. This is the fastest way to create an overweight cat.

Health Red Flags

• If your cat is eating recommended amounts but gaining weight, reduce calories by 10%.
• If your cat is eating voraciously but losing weight, consult a vet immediately. This could be a sign of hyperthyroidism or diabetes.

How much should a cat eat by sex
Generally, biological sex is less important than neuter status. However, unneutered males are typically larger and have higher metabolic rates than females.

• How much should a male cat eat a day If he is a large, unneutered Tom, he may require up to 350+ calories. If he is a standard neutered house cat (10–11 lbs), stick to 240–270 calories.
• How much should a female cat eat a day Females are often smaller (8–9 lbs). They typically require roughly 180–200 calories per day to stay trim.

How much protein should a cat eat a day
Cats are obligate carnivores. They require a high-protein diet. Look for foods where protein is the first ingredient. An adult cat generally requires at least 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight, though higher quality protein sources are more easily digested.