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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 182 (from laksa130)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa182.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat","crawl_time":1776299372,"first_indexed_time":1718195073,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,petmd!www,\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat s443","src_root_hash":"16279089857772281182","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How Much To Feed a Cat | PetMD","meta_descriptions":["Many factors go into how much you should feed your cat. In this article, Dr. Barri Morrison explains what to consider when deciding how much to feed your cat."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"When you\nwelcome a new cat to the family\nor your cat needs\na new diet\n, choosing what\nfood is best\nfor them can be a challenge. Once you decide what the best diet is for your feline, the next step is figuring out how much to feed them.\nMany factors go into how much you should feed your cat. If you are not sure where to begin, ask your veterinarian. They know your pet’s individual needs best.\nWhat Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?\nHow much your cat should eat per day is based on a variety of environmental and medical factors. Your cat’s age—\nkitten\n, adult, or\nsenior\n—is one of the most important factors.\nKittens often need more calories per day\n, thus more food, to keep up with their growth and development.\nWhen considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed\/neutered) is more important.\nOnce kittens reach adulthood, at one year old, their needs diminish a bit since they are likely at their long-term weight by then.  \nSenior cats (those more than 7 to 8 years old) often need fewer calories than adult cats if they are developing medical issues, and also to keep them from\nbecoming overweight\n.\nObesity is a serious medical condition that affects how much your cat can eat daily. It can lead to many health issues and puts stress on an aging cat’s joints, which makes\narthritis\nmore uncomfortable.\nDiscussing how much your cat should eat with your vet and always measuring your cat's food with a\ncat food scoop\ncan help prevent obesity.\nMentioned in this Article\nUtilizing an\nautomatic cat feeder\ncan also help ensure your cat gets fed the same amount at the same times each day.\nMentioned in this Article\nWhen considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or\nspayed\n\/\nneutered\n) is more important.\nCats that have not been spayed or neutered tend to need more calories per day, since their sex hormones keep their metabolisms at a much higher rate.\nWhen a female cat is pregnant, her daily food intake will need to increase to help her body grow tiny kittens.\nHow Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day?\nKnowing how much to feed your cat is a very important part of keeping them healthy. It’s not necessarily the portion size that you need to control, but the number of calories your cat is getting per day.\nOn most cat food and feline nutrition resources, the kcal (kilocalorie) is the unit of measurement used, but this be used interchangeably with calories.\nThis information\ncan be found on the bag or can of cat food\nnear the ingredients and the recommended volume of feeding (ex: 250 kcal\/cup or 250 kcal per can).\nTo figure out how many calories per day your cat needs, your veterinarian will do a calculation based on the factors discussed above, using your cat’s weight in kilograms and\ntheir body condition score\n.\nA general guide to go by is that cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should eat around 250 kcal per day.\nThe number of calories needed also depends on how active your cat is. Cats that are less active tend to need fewer calories.\nIf you need to know how much your cat needs to eat daily based on their physical and medical needs, speaking with your veterinarian is best.\nThis chart can be used as a guide to start feeding your adult cat (ages 1 to 7 years old).\nKnowing there are many factors that go into how much your cat should eat daily, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before you make long-term decisions about your cat’s daily calorie intake.\nThe recommendations can vary greatly in both directions from this chart, which is why your vet is the best resource to know how much your cat needs to maintain their health and good body condition.\nCat Weight\nSpayed\/Neutered\nIntact\nHealthy Cat, Prone to Obesity\nIn Need of Weight Loss\n5lbs\n125 kcal\/day\n175 kcal\/day\n100 kcal\/day\n75 kcal\/day\n8lbs\n200 kcal\/day\n280 kcal\/day\n160 kcal\/day\n120 kcal\/day\n10lbs\n250 kcal\/day\n350 kcal\/day\n200 kcal\/day\n150 kcal\/day\n12lbs\n300 kcal\/day\n420 kcal\/day\n240 kcal\/day\n180 kcal\/day\n15lbs\n375 kcal\/day\n525 kcal\/day\n300 kcal\/day\n225 kcal\/day\n18lbs\n450 kcal\/day\n630 kcal\/day\n360 kcal\/day\n270 kcal\/day\n20lbs\n500 kcal\/day\n700 kcal\/day\n400 kcal\/day\n300 kcal\/day\nTo convert calories into portion sizes, figure out the number of calories in a cup or in a can of cat food. This information is found below the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient lists on most cat food.\nIf the bag says the diet is 500 kcal per cup of food and your cat weighs 10 pounds, your cat needs 250 kcal\/day, which is ½ cup of food daily. If they eat two meals a day, then they get ¼ cup at each meal to get their caloric needs for the day.\nIt’s also good to keep in mind that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.\nIf your cat gets treats daily, then the number of calories they get in their treats plus the amount they get from their food should equal the total calories they need daily.\nIn most cases, cats that eat both wet and dry food would not get equal volumes of wet and dry food but equal caloric measurements.\nFor example, if your cat gets 250 kcal per day and they eat wet and dry food, they should get 125 kcal per day of wet food and 125 kcal per day of dry food split into their meal portions.\nLet's take a look at \nHill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food\n and\nHill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food\n. The canned food is around 181 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and the dry food is 483 kcal per cup. The cat who gets 250 kcal\/day would get around ⅔ of a 5.5-ounce can per day and ¼ cup of dry food per day (often split into 2 meals). That equals about 240 kcal\/day, which leaves room for cat treats, which should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily intake.\nMentioned in this Article\nHow Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat?\nWe tend to relate food with love and offer our feline family members a bit too many calories per day.\nIf your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues.\nObesity is defined as\nbeing at least 20% or more above normal weight\n. Obesity is also the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats.\nIf your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues.\nA\nstudy\ndone at the University of California, Davis from 2006 to 2015 found that 41% of the 9,062 cats were obese.\nObesity in cats puts them at much higher risk of:\nDiabetes\nArthritis\nHigh blood pressure\nSkin disease\nLiver disease\nUrinary tract disease\nHeart disease\nIt also makes\nanesthesia\na much higher risk.\nWRITTEN BY\nBarri J. Morrison, DVM\nVeterinarian\nBarri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#page-content)\n\nSearch:\n\nChat free with Chewy’s vet team\n\nDogs\n\nCats\n\nOther Pets\n\nMedications\n\nDiscover\n\nProduct Reviews\n\nHealth Tools\n\nAbout Us\n\nFor Vet Teams\n\nChat free with Chewy’s vet team\n\nDogs\n\n[Breeds](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/breeds)\n\n[Puppies](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/puppy)\n\n[Adult Dogs](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/adult)\n\n[Senior Dogs](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/senior)\n\n[Allergies](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/allergies)\n\n[Care & Healthy Living](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/care)\n\n[Disease, Illness & Injury](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/conditions)\n\n[Procedures](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/hub\/common-pet-procedures)\n\n[Food & Diet](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/centers\/nutrition)\n\n[Poisoning](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/emergency\/poisoning-toxicity)\n\n[Symptoms 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[Home](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/)\n2. [Cat Nutrition Center](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/centers\/nutrition)\n# How Much To Feed a Cat\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2744%27%20height=%2744%27\/%3e)![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=96&q=75) ![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=96&q=75)](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\nBy [Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\nPublished Jun. 26, 2024\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27978%27%20height=%27550%27\/%3e)![A pet parent feeds their cat.](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/978x550\/public\/2024-06\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat.jpg?w=2048&q=75)\n\nChalabala\/iStock \/ Getty Images Plus via Getty Images\n\n### In This Article\n[What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#whatdetermineshowmuchyourcatshouldeat?)\n\n### In This Article\n[What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#whatdetermineshowmuchyourcatshouldeat?)\n\n[How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day?](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#howmuchfoodshouldacateatperday?)\n\n[How Much To Feed a Cat Chart](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#howmuchtofeedacatchart)\n\n[How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat?](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#howmuchfoodistoomuchforacat?)\n\nView 3 More +\n\nWhen you [welcome a new cat to the family](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/pet-lover\/tips-first-30-days-after-adopting-cat) or your cat needs [a new diet](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/food-387?ref-query=cat+food&ref=searchRedirect&nav-submit-button=&utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=welcome+a+new+cat+to+the+family+or+your+cat+needs+a+new+diet&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat), choosing what [food is best](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/vet-verified\/best-cat-food) for them can be a challenge. Once you decide what the best diet is for your feline, the next step is figuring out how much to feed them.\n\nMany factors go into how much you should feed your cat. If you are not sure where to begin, ask your veterinarian. They know your pet’s individual needs best.\n\n## What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?\nHow much your cat should eat per day is based on a variety of environmental and medical factors. Your cat’s age—[kitten](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/vet-verified\/best-kitten-foods), adult, or [senior](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/blogs\/nutritionnuggets\/cat\/dr-coates\/2016\/april\/what-foods-should-old-cat-eat-34047)—is one of the most important factors.\n\n[Kittens often need more calories per day](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/feeding-kittens-101-what-feed-how-much-and-how-often), thus more food, to keep up with their growth and development.\n\n> When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed\/neutered) is more important.\n\nOnce kittens reach adulthood, at one year old, their needs diminish a bit since they are likely at their long-term weight by then.\n\nSenior cats (those more than 7 to 8 years old) often need fewer calories than adult cats if they are developing medical issues, and also to keep them from [becoming overweight](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/digestive\/c_ct_obesity).\n\nObesity is a serious medical condition that affects how much your cat can eat daily. It can lead to many health issues and puts stress on an aging cat’s joints, which makes [arthritis](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/musculoskeletal\/arthritis-cats) more uncomfortable.\n\nDiscussing how much your cat should eat with your vet and always measuring your cat's food with a [cat food scoop](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/food-scoops-6365?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=cat+food+scoop&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can help prevent obesity.\n\nMentioned in this Article\n\n[![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg)](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2716%27%20height=%2716%27\/%3e)![Vet Reviewed](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/common\/icons\/vet-reviewed.svg)\n\n[![Dexas Popware for Pets Collapsible KlipScoop, Blue, 1\/2 cup](https:\/\/image.chewy.com\/catalog\/general\/images\/dexas-popware-for-pets-collapsible-klipscoop-blue-12-cup\/img-471224._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) **Dexas Popware for Pets** Collapsible KlipScoop, Blue, 1\/2 cup Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars 389Reviews \\$7.99 Chewy Price\\$7.99 Shop on Chewy]()\n\nUtilizing an [automatic cat feeder](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/cat-feeders-396?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=automatic+cat+feeder&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can also help ensure your cat gets fed the same amount at the same times each day.\n\nMentioned in this Article\n\n[![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg)](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2716%27%20height=%2716%27\/%3e)![Vet Reviewed](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/common\/icons\/vet-reviewed.svg)\n\n[![Petlibro Air Automatic Cat Feeder with Battery Powered Dog & Cat Food Dispenser, Black, 2-litter](https:\/\/image.chewy.com\/catalog\/general\/images\/petlibro-air-automatic-cat-feeder-with-battery-powered-dog-cat-food-dispenser-black-2-litter\/img-311124._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) **Petlibro** Air Automatic Cat Feeder with Battery Powered Dog & Cat Food Dispenser, Black, 2-litter Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars 1.2KReviews \\$39.99 Chewy Price\\$39.99 Shop on Chewy]()\n\nWhen considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or [spayed](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/general-health\/cat-spay-101)\/[neutered](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/general-health\/neutering-cats-101)) is more important.\n\nCats that have not been spayed or neutered tend to need more calories per day, since their sex hormones keep their metabolisms at a much higher rate.\n\nWhen a female cat is pregnant, her daily food intake will need to increase to help her body grow tiny kittens.\n\n## How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day?\nKnowing how much to feed your cat is a very important part of keeping them healthy. It’s not necessarily the portion size that you need to control, but the number of calories your cat is getting per day.\n\nOn most cat food and feline nutrition resources, the kcal (kilocalorie) is the unit of measurement used, but this be used interchangeably with calories.\n\nThis information [can be found on the bag or can of cat food](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/nutrition\/pet-food-ingredient-and-label-guide) near the ingredients and the recommended volume of feeding (ex: 250 kcal\/cup or 250 kcal per can).\n\nTo figure out how many calories per day your cat needs, your veterinarian will do a calculation based on the factors discussed above, using your cat’s weight in kilograms and [their body condition score](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/evr_multi_is_my_cat_fat_overweight).\n\nA general guide to go by is that cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should eat around 250 kcal per day.\n\nThe number of calories needed also depends on how active your cat is. Cats that are less active tend to need fewer calories.\n\nIf you need to know how much your cat needs to eat daily based on their physical and medical needs, speaking with your veterinarian is best.\n\n## How Much To Feed a Cat Chart\nThis chart can be used as a guide to start feeding your adult cat (ages 1 to 7 years old).\n\nKnowing there are many factors that go into how much your cat should eat daily, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before you make long-term decisions about your cat’s daily calorie intake.\n\nThe recommendations can vary greatly in both directions from this chart, which is why your vet is the best resource to know how much your cat needs to maintain their health and good body condition.\n\n|   |   |   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| **Cat Weight** | **Spayed\/Neutered** | **Intact** | **Healthy Cat, Prone to Obesity** | **In Need of Weight Loss** |\n| 5lbs | 125 kcal\/day | 175 kcal\/day | 100 kcal\/day | 75 kcal\/day |\n| 8lbs | 200 kcal\/day | 280 kcal\/day | 160 kcal\/day | 120 kcal\/day |\n| 10lbs | 250 kcal\/day | 350 kcal\/day | 200 kcal\/day | 150 kcal\/day |\n| 12lbs | 300 kcal\/day | 420 kcal\/day | 240 kcal\/day | 180 kcal\/day |\n| 15lbs | 375 kcal\/day | 525 kcal\/day | 300 kcal\/day | 225 kcal\/day |\n| 18lbs | 450 kcal\/day | 630 kcal\/day | 360 kcal\/day | 270 kcal\/day |\n| 20lbs | 500 kcal\/day | 700 kcal\/day | 400 kcal\/day | 300 kcal\/day |\n\nTo convert calories into portion sizes, figure out the number of calories in a cup or in a can of cat food. This information is found below the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient lists on most cat food.\n\nIf the bag says the diet is 500 kcal per cup of food and your cat weighs 10 pounds, your cat needs 250 kcal\/day, which is ½ cup of food daily. If they eat two meals a day, then they get ¼ cup at each meal to get their caloric needs for the day.\n\nIt’s also good to keep in mind that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.\n\nIf your cat gets treats daily, then the number of calories they get in their treats plus the amount they get from their food should equal the total calories they need daily.\n\nIn most cases, cats that eat both wet and dry food would not get equal volumes of wet and dry food but equal caloric measurements.\n\nFor example, if your cat gets 250 kcal per day and they eat wet and dry food, they should get 125 kcal per day of wet food and 125 kcal per day of dry food split into their meal portions.\n\nLet's take a look at [Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/hills-science-diet-adult-savory\/dp\/34092?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Savory+Chicken+Entree+Wet+Cat+Food&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) and [Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/hills-science-diet-adult-chicken\/dp\/34082?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Chicken+Recipe+Dry+Cat+Food&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat). The canned food is around 181 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and the dry food is 483 kcal per cup. The cat who gets 250 kcal\/day would get around ⅔ of a 5.5-ounce can per day and ¼ cup of dry food per day (often split into 2 meals). That equals about 240 kcal\/day, which leaves room for cat treats, which should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily intake.\n\nMentioned in this Article\n\n[![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg)](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2716%27%20height=%2716%27\/%3e)![Vet Reviewed](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/common\/icons\/vet-reviewed.svg)\n\n[![Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food](https:\/\/image.chewy.com\/catalog\/general\/images\/moe\/0679aada-f34e-7df3-8000-54eecbccbd9d._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) **Hill's Science Diet** Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars 3.8KReviews \\$22.99 Chewy Price\\$22.99 Shop on Chewy]()\n\n[![Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food, 5.5-oz can, case of 24](https:\/\/image.chewy.com\/catalog\/general\/images\/hills-science-diet-adult-savory-chicken-entree-canned-cat-food-5-5oz-case-of-24\/img-324399._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) **Hill's Science Diet** Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food, 5.5-oz can, case of 24 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 547Reviews \\$62.16 Chewy Price\\$62.16 Shop on Chewy]()\n\n## How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat?\nWe tend to relate food with love and offer our feline family members a bit too many calories per day.\n\nIf your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues.\n\nObesity is defined as [being at least 20% or more above normal weight](https:\/\/www.vet.cornell.edu\/departments-centers-and-institutes\/cornell-feline-health-center\/health-information\/feline-health-topics\/obesity#:~:text=McDaniel's%20view%20is%20consistent%20with,into%20the%20%E2%80%9Cobese%E2%80%9D%20category.). Obesity is also the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats.\n\n> If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues.\n\nA [study](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34936906\/) done at the University of California, Davis from 2006 to 2015 found that 41% of the 9,062 cats were obese.\n\nObesity in cats puts them at much higher risk of:\n\n- [Diabetes](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/endocrine\/c_ct_diabetes_mellitus)\n- Arthritis\n- [High blood pressure](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/cardiovascular\/c_ct_systemic_hypertension)\n- Skin disease\n- [Liver disease](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/endocrine\/liver-disease-cats)\n- [Urinary tract disease](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/urinary\/feline_idiopathic_lower_urinary_tract_disease)\n- [Heart disease](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/cardiovascular\/heart-disease-cats)\n\nIt also makes [anesthesia](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/procedure\/anesthesia-for-cats) a much higher risk.\n***\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=256&q=75)](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\nWRITTEN BY\n\n[Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\nVeterinarian\n\nBarri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...\n***\n\n## Help us make PetMD better\nWas this article helpful?\n\nYes\n\nNo\n\n***\n## Related Articles\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2025-05\/cognitive_dynsfunction_cat_dog.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2025-05\/cognitive_dynsfunction_cat_dog.jpg?w=256&q=75) Understanding Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs and Cats Sarah Wooten, DVM](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/general-health\/cognitive-dysfunction-dogs-cats)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/tabby-cat-eating-cat-food-from-bowl.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/tabby-cat-eating-cat-food-from-bowl.jpg?w=256&q=75) What to Feed a Cat for Weight Gain Liz Bales, VMD](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/what-feed-cat-weight-gain)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/catfeeding.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/catfeeding.jpg?w=256&q=75) Choosing the Best Feeding Method for Your Cat PetMD Editorial](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/evr_ct_best_feeding_method)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2025-04\/How-To-Feed-Cats-Separately-in-a-Multi-Cat-Home%20.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2025-04\/How-To-Feed-Cats-Separately-in-a-Multi-Cat-Home%20.jpg?w=256&q=75) How To Feed Cats Separately in a Multi-Cat Home Jennifer Coates, DVM](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/feeding-multiple-cats)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2025-01\/cat%20staring%20a%20colander%20with%20green%20beans_0.png?w=256&q=75) ![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2025-01\/cat%20staring%20a%20colander%20with%20green%20beans_0.png?w=256&q=75) Can Cats Eat Green Beans? Jennifer Coates, DVM](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/can-cats-eat-green-beans)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27\/%3e)![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2023-10\/can-cats-eat-blueberries.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/80x80\/public\/2023-10\/can-cats-eat-blueberries.jpg?w=256&q=75) Can Cats Eat Blueberries? Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/can-cats-eat-blueberries)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27300%27%20height=%27250%27\/%3e)![Get Instant Vet Help Via Chat or Video. Connect with a Vet. Chewy Health](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/cwav\/cwav_banner_cat.jpg?w=640&q=75) ![Get Instant Vet Help Via Chat or Video. Connect with a Vet. Chewy Health](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/cwav\/cwav_banner_cat.jpg?w=640&q=75)](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/connect-vet-16616)\n\n## Subscribe to Our Newsletter\nSign up for weekly pet health tips and insights from our veterinarians.\n\n## Subscribe to Get Pet Health Tips and Insights\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27294%27%20height=%27123%27\/%3e)![puppy and kitten hugging](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)\n\nSubscribe to PetMD's Newsletter\n\n[About us](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/about)[Write for us](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/write)[Contact us](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/contact)[Licensing](https:\/\/info.wrightsmedia.com\/petmd-vet-verified-licensing)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2740%27%20height=%2710%27\/%3e)![My Privacy Choices](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/common\/icons\/privacy-choices.svg?w=96&q=75)\n\n![My Privacy Choices](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/images\/common\/icons\/privacy-choices.svg?w=96&q=75)\n\n[My Privacy Choices]()\n\n[Privacy policy](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/petmd-privacy-policy)\n\n[Legal notices](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/legal-notices)[Site map](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/sitemap)\n\nCopyright 2026 Chewy","attrs_readable_markdown":"When you [welcome a new cat to the family](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/pet-lover\/tips-first-30-days-after-adopting-cat) or your cat needs [a new diet](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/food-387?ref-query=cat+food&ref=searchRedirect&nav-submit-button=&utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=welcome+a+new+cat+to+the+family+or+your+cat+needs+a+new+diet&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat), choosing what [food is best](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/vet-verified\/best-cat-food) for them can be a challenge. Once you decide what the best diet is for your feline, the next step is figuring out how much to feed them.\n\nMany factors go into how much you should feed your cat. If you are not sure where to begin, ask your veterinarian. They know your pet’s individual needs best.\n\n## What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?\nHow much your cat should eat per day is based on a variety of environmental and medical factors. Your cat’s age—[kitten](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/vet-verified\/best-kitten-foods), adult, or [senior](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/blogs\/nutritionnuggets\/cat\/dr-coates\/2016\/april\/what-foods-should-old-cat-eat-34047)—is one of the most important factors.\n\n[Kittens often need more calories per day](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/feeding-kittens-101-what-feed-how-much-and-how-often), thus more food, to keep up with their growth and development.\n\n> When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed\/neutered) is more important.\n\nOnce kittens reach adulthood, at one year old, their needs diminish a bit since they are likely at their long-term weight by then.\n\nSenior cats (those more than 7 to 8 years old) often need fewer calories than adult cats if they are developing medical issues, and also to keep them from [becoming overweight](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/digestive\/c_ct_obesity).\n\nObesity is a serious medical condition that affects how much your cat can eat daily. It can lead to many health issues and puts stress on an aging cat’s joints, which makes [arthritis](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/musculoskeletal\/arthritis-cats) more uncomfortable.\n\nDiscussing how much your cat should eat with your vet and always measuring your cat's food with a [cat food scoop](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/food-scoops-6365?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=cat+food+scoop&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can help prevent obesity.\n\nMentioned in this Article\n\nUtilizing an [automatic cat feeder](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/b\/cat-feeders-396?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=automatic+cat+feeder&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can also help ensure your cat gets fed the same amount at the same times each day.\n\nMentioned in this Article\n\nWhen considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or [spayed](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/general-health\/cat-spay-101)\/[neutered](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/general-health\/neutering-cats-101)) is more important.\n\nCats that have not been spayed or neutered tend to need more calories per day, since their sex hormones keep their metabolisms at a much higher rate.\n\nWhen a female cat is pregnant, her daily food intake will need to increase to help her body grow tiny kittens.\n\n## How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day?\nKnowing how much to feed your cat is a very important part of keeping them healthy. It’s not necessarily the portion size that you need to control, but the number of calories your cat is getting per day.\n\nOn most cat food and feline nutrition resources, the kcal (kilocalorie) is the unit of measurement used, but this be used interchangeably with calories.\n\nThis information [can be found on the bag or can of cat food](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/nutrition\/pet-food-ingredient-and-label-guide) near the ingredients and the recommended volume of feeding (ex: 250 kcal\/cup or 250 kcal per can).\n\nTo figure out how many calories per day your cat needs, your veterinarian will do a calculation based on the factors discussed above, using your cat’s weight in kilograms and [their body condition score](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/evr_multi_is_my_cat_fat_overweight).\n\nA general guide to go by is that cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should eat around 250 kcal per day.\n\nThe number of calories needed also depends on how active your cat is. Cats that are less active tend to need fewer calories.\n\nIf you need to know how much your cat needs to eat daily based on their physical and medical needs, speaking with your veterinarian is best.\n\nThis chart can be used as a guide to start feeding your adult cat (ages 1 to 7 years old).\n\nKnowing there are many factors that go into how much your cat should eat daily, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before you make long-term decisions about your cat’s daily calorie intake.\n\nThe recommendations can vary greatly in both directions from this chart, which is why your vet is the best resource to know how much your cat needs to maintain their health and good body condition.\n\n|   |   |   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| **Cat Weight** | **Spayed\/Neutered** | **Intact** | **Healthy Cat, Prone to Obesity** | **In Need of Weight Loss** |\n| 5lbs | 125 kcal\/day | 175 kcal\/day | 100 kcal\/day | 75 kcal\/day |\n| 8lbs | 200 kcal\/day | 280 kcal\/day | 160 kcal\/day | 120 kcal\/day |\n| 10lbs | 250 kcal\/day | 350 kcal\/day | 200 kcal\/day | 150 kcal\/day |\n| 12lbs | 300 kcal\/day | 420 kcal\/day | 240 kcal\/day | 180 kcal\/day |\n| 15lbs | 375 kcal\/day | 525 kcal\/day | 300 kcal\/day | 225 kcal\/day |\n| 18lbs | 450 kcal\/day | 630 kcal\/day | 360 kcal\/day | 270 kcal\/day |\n| 20lbs | 500 kcal\/day | 700 kcal\/day | 400 kcal\/day | 300 kcal\/day |\n\nTo convert calories into portion sizes, figure out the number of calories in a cup or in a can of cat food. This information is found below the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient lists on most cat food.\n\nIf the bag says the diet is 500 kcal per cup of food and your cat weighs 10 pounds, your cat needs 250 kcal\/day, which is ½ cup of food daily. If they eat two meals a day, then they get ¼ cup at each meal to get their caloric needs for the day.\n\nIt’s also good to keep in mind that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.\n\nIf your cat gets treats daily, then the number of calories they get in their treats plus the amount they get from their food should equal the total calories they need daily.\n\nIn most cases, cats that eat both wet and dry food would not get equal volumes of wet and dry food but equal caloric measurements.\n\nFor example, if your cat gets 250 kcal per day and they eat wet and dry food, they should get 125 kcal per day of wet food and 125 kcal per day of dry food split into their meal portions.\n\nLet's take a look at [Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/hills-science-diet-adult-savory\/dp\/34092?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Savory+Chicken+Entree+Wet+Cat+Food&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) and [Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food](https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/hills-science-diet-adult-chicken\/dp\/34082?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Chicken+Recipe+Dry+Cat+Food&utm_content=\/cat\/nutrition\/how-much-to-feed-a-cat). The canned food is around 181 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and the dry food is 483 kcal per cup. The cat who gets 250 kcal\/day would get around ⅔ of a 5.5-ounce can per day and ¼ cup of dry food per day (often split into 2 meals). That equals about 240 kcal\/day, which leaves room for cat treats, which should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily intake.\n\nMentioned in this Article\n\n## How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat?\nWe tend to relate food with love and offer our feline family members a bit too many calories per day.\n\nIf your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues.\n\nObesity is defined as [being at least 20% or more above normal weight](https:\/\/www.vet.cornell.edu\/departments-centers-and-institutes\/cornell-feline-health-center\/health-information\/feline-health-topics\/obesity#:~:text=McDaniel's%20view%20is%20consistent%20with,into%20the%20%E2%80%9Cobese%E2%80%9D%20category.). Obesity is also the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats.\n\n> If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues.\n\nA [study](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34936906\/) done at the University of California, Davis from 2006 to 2015 found that 41% of the 9,062 cats were obese.\n\nObesity in cats puts them at much higher risk of:\n\n- [Diabetes](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/endocrine\/c_ct_diabetes_mellitus)\n- Arthritis\n- [High blood pressure](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/cardiovascular\/c_ct_systemic_hypertension)\n- Skin disease\n- [Liver disease](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/endocrine\/liver-disease-cats)\n- [Urinary tract disease](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/urinary\/feline_idiopathic_lower_urinary_tract_disease)\n- [Heart disease](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/conditions\/cardiovascular\/heart-disease-cats)\n\nIt also makes [anesthesia](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/procedure\/anesthesia-for-cats) a much higher risk.\n***\n[![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/image.petmd.com\/files\/styles\/user_image\/public\/pictures\/2022-03\/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=256&q=75)](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\nWRITTEN BY\n\n[Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/author\/dr-barri-j-morrison)\n\nVeterinarian\n\nBarri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...\n***","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	When you welcome a new cat to the family or your cat needs a new diet , choosing what food is best for them can be a challenge. Once you decide what the best diet is for your feline, the next step is figuring out how much to feed them. Many factors go into how much you should feed your cat. If you are not sure where to begin, ask your veterinarian. They know your pet’s individual needs best. What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat? How much your cat should eat per day is based on a variety of environmental and medical factors. Your cat’s age— kitten , adult, or senior —is one of the most important factors. Kittens often need more calories per day , thus more food, to keep up with their growth and development. When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed/neutered) is more important. Once kittens reach adulthood, at one year old, their needs diminish a bit since they are likely at their long-term weight by then. Senior cats (those more than 7 to 8 years old) often need fewer calories than adult cats if they are developing medical issues, and also to keep them from becoming overweight . Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects how much your cat can eat daily. It can lead to many health issues and puts stress on an aging cat’s joints, which makes arthritis more uncomfortable. Discussing how much your cat should eat with your vet and always measuring your cat's food with a cat food scoop can help prevent obesity. Mentioned in this Article Utilizing an automatic cat feeder can also help ensure your cat gets fed the same amount at the same times each day. Mentioned in this Article When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed / neutered ) is more important. Cats that have not been spayed or neutered tend to need more calories per day, since their sex hormones keep their metabolisms at a much higher rate. When a female cat is pregnant, her daily food intake will need to increase to help her body grow tiny kittens. How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day? Knowing how much to feed your cat is a very important part of keeping them healthy. It’s not necessarily the portion size that you need to control, but the number of calories your cat is getting per day. On most cat food and feline nutrition resources, the kcal (kilocalorie) is the unit of measurement used, but this be used interchangeably with calories. This information can be found on the bag or can of cat food near the ingredients and the recommended volume of feeding (ex: 250 kcal/cup or 250 kcal per can). To figure out how many calories per day your cat needs, your veterinarian will do a calculation based on the factors discussed above, using your cat’s weight in kilograms and their body condition score . A general guide to go by is that cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should eat around 250 kcal per day. The number of calories needed also depends on how active your cat is. Cats that are less active tend to need fewer calories. If you need to know how much your cat needs to eat daily based on their physical and medical needs, speaking with your veterinarian is best. This chart can be used as a guide to start feeding your adult cat (ages 1 to 7 years old). Knowing there are many factors that go into how much your cat should eat daily, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before you make long-term decisions about your cat’s daily calorie intake. The recommendations can vary greatly in both directions from this chart, which is why your vet is the best resource to know how much your cat needs to maintain their health and good body condition. Cat Weight Spayed/Neutered Intact Healthy Cat, Prone to Obesity In Need of Weight Loss 5lbs 125 kcal/day 175 kcal/day 100 kcal/day 75 kcal/day 8lbs 200 kcal/day 280 kcal/day 160 kcal/day 120 kcal/day 10lbs 250 kcal/day 350 kcal/day 200 kcal/day 150 kcal/day 12lbs 300 kcal/day 420 kcal/day 240 kcal/day 180 kcal/day 15lbs 375 kcal/day 525 kcal/day 300 kcal/day 225 kcal/day 18lbs 450 kcal/day 630 kcal/day 360 kcal/day 270 kcal/day 20lbs 500 kcal/day 700 kcal/day 400 kcal/day 300 kcal/day To convert calories into portion sizes, figure out the number of calories in a cup or in a can of cat food. This information is found below the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient lists on most cat food. If the bag says the diet is 500 kcal per cup of food and your cat weighs 10 pounds, your cat needs 250 kcal/day, which is ½ cup of food daily. If they eat two meals a day, then they get ¼ cup at each meal to get their caloric needs for the day. It’s also good to keep in mind that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. If your cat gets treats daily, then the number of calories they get in their treats plus the amount they get from their food should equal the total calories they need daily. In most cases, cats that eat both wet and dry food would not get equal volumes of wet and dry food but equal caloric measurements. For example, if your cat gets 250 kcal per day and they eat wet and dry food, they should get 125 kcal per day of wet food and 125 kcal per day of dry food split into their meal portions. Let's take a look at Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food and Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food . The canned food is around 181 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and the dry food is 483 kcal per cup. The cat who gets 250 kcal/day would get around ⅔ of a 5.5-ounce can per day and ¼ cup of dry food per day (often split into 2 meals). That equals about 240 kcal/day, which leaves room for cat treats, which should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily intake. Mentioned in this Article How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat? We tend to relate food with love and offer our feline family members a bit too many calories per day. If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues. Obesity is defined as being at least 20% or more above normal weight . Obesity is also the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats. If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues. A study done at the University of California, Davis from 2006 to 2015 found that 41% of the 9,062 cats were obese. Obesity in cats puts them at much higher risk of: Diabetes Arthritis High blood pressure Skin disease Liver disease Urinary tract disease Heart disease It also makes anesthesia a much higher risk. WRITTEN BY Barri J. Morrison, DVM Veterinarian Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...
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[Home](https://www.petmd.com/) 2. [Cat Nutrition Center](https://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/nutrition) # How Much To Feed a Cat [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2744%27%20height=%2744%27/%3e)![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=96&q=75) ![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=96&q=75)](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) By [Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) Published Jun. 26, 2024 ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27978%27%20height=%27550%27/%3e)![A pet parent feeds their cat.](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/978x550/public/2024-06/how-much-to-feed-a-cat.jpg?w=2048&q=75) Chalabala/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images ### In This Article [What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#whatdetermineshowmuchyourcatshouldeat?) ### In This Article [What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat?](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#whatdetermineshowmuchyourcatshouldeat?) [How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day?](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#howmuchfoodshouldacateatperday?) [How Much To Feed a Cat Chart](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#howmuchtofeedacatchart) [How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat?](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat#howmuchfoodistoomuchforacat?) View 3 More + When you [welcome a new cat to the family](https://www.petmd.com/cat/pet-lover/tips-first-30-days-after-adopting-cat) or your cat needs [a new diet](https://www.chewy.com/b/food-387?ref-query=cat+food&ref=searchRedirect&nav-submit-button=&utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=welcome+a+new+cat+to+the+family+or+your+cat+needs+a+new+diet&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat), choosing what [food is best](https://www.petmd.com/cat/vet-verified/best-cat-food) for them can be a challenge. Once you decide what the best diet is for your feline, the next step is figuring out how much to feed them. Many factors go into how much you should feed your cat. If you are not sure where to begin, ask your veterinarian. They know your pet’s individual needs best. ## What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat? How much your cat should eat per day is based on a variety of environmental and medical factors. Your cat’s age—[kitten](https://www.petmd.com/cat/vet-verified/best-kitten-foods), adult, or [senior](https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/cat/dr-coates/2016/april/what-foods-should-old-cat-eat-34047)—is one of the most important factors. [Kittens often need more calories per day](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/feeding-kittens-101-what-feed-how-much-and-how-often), thus more food, to keep up with their growth and development. > When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed/neutered) is more important. Once kittens reach adulthood, at one year old, their needs diminish a bit since they are likely at their long-term weight by then. Senior cats (those more than 7 to 8 years old) often need fewer calories than adult cats if they are developing medical issues, and also to keep them from [becoming overweight](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_obesity). Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects how much your cat can eat daily. It can lead to many health issues and puts stress on an aging cat’s joints, which makes [arthritis](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/musculoskeletal/arthritis-cats) more uncomfortable. Discussing how much your cat should eat with your vet and always measuring your cat's food with a [cat food scoop](https://www.chewy.com/b/food-scoops-6365?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=cat+food+scoop&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can help prevent obesity. Mentioned in this Article [![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg)](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2716%27%20height=%2716%27/%3e)![Vet Reviewed](https://www.petmd.com/images/common/icons/vet-reviewed.svg) [![Dexas Popware for Pets Collapsible KlipScoop, Blue, 1/2 cup](https://image.chewy.com/catalog/general/images/dexas-popware-for-pets-collapsible-klipscoop-blue-12-cup/img-471224._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) Dexas Popware for Pets Collapsible KlipScoop, Blue, 1/2 cup Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars 389Reviews \$7.99 Chewy Price\$7.99 Shop on Chewy]() Utilizing an [automatic cat feeder](https://www.chewy.com/b/cat-feeders-396?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=automatic+cat+feeder&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can also help ensure your cat gets fed the same amount at the same times each day. Mentioned in this Article [![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg)](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2716%27%20height=%2716%27/%3e)![Vet Reviewed](https://www.petmd.com/images/common/icons/vet-reviewed.svg) [![Petlibro Air Automatic Cat Feeder with Battery Powered Dog & Cat Food Dispenser, Black, 2-litter](https://image.chewy.com/catalog/general/images/petlibro-air-automatic-cat-feeder-with-battery-powered-dog-cat-food-dispenser-black-2-litter/img-311124._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) Petlibro Air Automatic Cat Feeder with Battery Powered Dog & Cat Food Dispenser, Black, 2-litter Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars 1.2KReviews \$39.99 Chewy Price\$39.99 Shop on Chewy]() When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or [spayed](https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-spay-101)/[neutered](https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/neutering-cats-101)) is more important. Cats that have not been spayed or neutered tend to need more calories per day, since their sex hormones keep their metabolisms at a much higher rate. When a female cat is pregnant, her daily food intake will need to increase to help her body grow tiny kittens. ## How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day? Knowing how much to feed your cat is a very important part of keeping them healthy. It’s not necessarily the portion size that you need to control, but the number of calories your cat is getting per day. On most cat food and feline nutrition resources, the kcal (kilocalorie) is the unit of measurement used, but this be used interchangeably with calories. This information [can be found on the bag or can of cat food](https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/pet-food-ingredient-and-label-guide) near the ingredients and the recommended volume of feeding (ex: 250 kcal/cup or 250 kcal per can). To figure out how many calories per day your cat needs, your veterinarian will do a calculation based on the factors discussed above, using your cat’s weight in kilograms and [their body condition score](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_multi_is_my_cat_fat_overweight). A general guide to go by is that cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should eat around 250 kcal per day. The number of calories needed also depends on how active your cat is. Cats that are less active tend to need fewer calories. If you need to know how much your cat needs to eat daily based on their physical and medical needs, speaking with your veterinarian is best. ## How Much To Feed a Cat Chart This chart can be used as a guide to start feeding your adult cat (ages 1 to 7 years old). Knowing there are many factors that go into how much your cat should eat daily, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before you make long-term decisions about your cat’s daily calorie intake. The recommendations can vary greatly in both directions from this chart, which is why your vet is the best resource to know how much your cat needs to maintain their health and good body condition. \| \| \| \| \| \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| Cat Weight \| Spayed/Neutered \| Intact \| Healthy Cat, Prone to Obesity \| In Need of Weight Loss \| \| 5lbs \| 125 kcal/day \| 175 kcal/day \| 100 kcal/day \| 75 kcal/day \| \| 8lbs \| 200 kcal/day \| 280 kcal/day \| 160 kcal/day \| 120 kcal/day \| \| 10lbs \| 250 kcal/day \| 350 kcal/day \| 200 kcal/day \| 150 kcal/day \| \| 12lbs \| 300 kcal/day \| 420 kcal/day \| 240 kcal/day \| 180 kcal/day \| \| 15lbs \| 375 kcal/day \| 525 kcal/day \| 300 kcal/day \| 225 kcal/day \| \| 18lbs \| 450 kcal/day \| 630 kcal/day \| 360 kcal/day \| 270 kcal/day \| \| 20lbs \| 500 kcal/day \| 700 kcal/day \| 400 kcal/day \| 300 kcal/day \| To convert calories into portion sizes, figure out the number of calories in a cup or in a can of cat food. This information is found below the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient lists on most cat food. If the bag says the diet is 500 kcal per cup of food and your cat weighs 10 pounds, your cat needs 250 kcal/day, which is ½ cup of food daily. If they eat two meals a day, then they get ¼ cup at each meal to get their caloric needs for the day. It’s also good to keep in mind that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. If your cat gets treats daily, then the number of calories they get in their treats plus the amount they get from their food should equal the total calories they need daily. In most cases, cats that eat both wet and dry food would not get equal volumes of wet and dry food but equal caloric measurements. For example, if your cat gets 250 kcal per day and they eat wet and dry food, they should get 125 kcal per day of wet food and 125 kcal per day of dry food split into their meal portions. Let's take a look at [Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food](https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-savory/dp/34092?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Savory+Chicken+Entree+Wet+Cat+Food&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) and [Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food](https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-chicken/dp/34082?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Chicken+Recipe+Dry+Cat+Food&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat). The canned food is around 181 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and the dry food is 483 kcal per cup. The cat who gets 250 kcal/day would get around ⅔ of a 5.5-ounce can per day and ¼ cup of dry food per day (often split into 2 meals). That equals about 240 kcal/day, which leaves room for cat treats, which should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily intake. Mentioned in this Article [![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg)](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2716%27%20height=%2716%27/%3e)![Vet Reviewed](https://www.petmd.com/images/common/icons/vet-reviewed.svg) [![Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food](https://image.chewy.com/catalog/general/images/moe/0679aada-f34e-7df3-8000-54eecbccbd9d._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars 3.8KReviews \$22.99 Chewy Price\$22.99 Shop on Chewy]() [![Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food, 5.5-oz can, case of 24](https://image.chewy.com/catalog/general/images/hills-science-diet-adult-savory-chicken-entree-canned-cat-food-5-5oz-case-of-24/img-324399._AC_SS240_V1_.jpg) Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food, 5.5-oz can, case of 24 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 547Reviews \$62.16 Chewy Price\$62.16 Shop on Chewy]() ## How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat? We tend to relate food with love and offer our feline family members a bit too many calories per day. If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues. Obesity is defined as [being at least 20% or more above normal weight](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/obesity#:~:text=McDaniel's%20view%20is%20consistent%20with,into%20the%20%E2%80%9Cobese%E2%80%9D%20category.). Obesity is also the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats. > If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues. A [study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34936906/) done at the University of California, Davis from 2006 to 2015 found that 41% of the 9,062 cats were obese. Obesity in cats puts them at much higher risk of: - [Diabetes](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/c_ct_diabetes_mellitus) - Arthritis - [High blood pressure](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_systemic_hypertension) - Skin disease - [Liver disease](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/liver-disease-cats) - [Urinary tract disease](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/feline_idiopathic_lower_urinary_tract_disease) - [Heart disease](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/heart-disease-cats) It also makes [anesthesia](https://www.petmd.com/cat/procedure/anesthesia-for-cats) a much higher risk. * [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2780%27%20height=%2780%27/%3e)![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=256&q=75) ![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=256&q=75)](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) WRITTEN BY [Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) Veterinarian Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her... * ## Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? 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Readable Markdown	When you [welcome a new cat to the family](https://www.petmd.com/cat/pet-lover/tips-first-30-days-after-adopting-cat) or your cat needs [a new diet](https://www.chewy.com/b/food-387?ref-query=cat+food&ref=searchRedirect&nav-submit-button=&utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=welcome+a+new+cat+to+the+family+or+your+cat+needs+a+new+diet&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat), choosing what [food is best](https://www.petmd.com/cat/vet-verified/best-cat-food) for them can be a challenge. Once you decide what the best diet is for your feline, the next step is figuring out how much to feed them. Many factors go into how much you should feed your cat. If you are not sure where to begin, ask your veterinarian. They know your pet’s individual needs best. ## What Determines How Much Your Cat Should Eat? How much your cat should eat per day is based on a variety of environmental and medical factors. Your cat’s age—[kitten](https://www.petmd.com/cat/vet-verified/best-kitten-foods), adult, or [senior](https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/cat/dr-coates/2016/april/what-foods-should-old-cat-eat-34047)—is one of the most important factors. [Kittens often need more calories per day](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/feeding-kittens-101-what-feed-how-much-and-how-often), thus more food, to keep up with their growth and development. > When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or spayed/neutered) is more important. Once kittens reach adulthood, at one year old, their needs diminish a bit since they are likely at their long-term weight by then. Senior cats (those more than 7 to 8 years old) often need fewer calories than adult cats if they are developing medical issues, and also to keep them from [becoming overweight](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_obesity). Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects how much your cat can eat daily. It can lead to many health issues and puts stress on an aging cat’s joints, which makes [arthritis](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/musculoskeletal/arthritis-cats) more uncomfortable. Discussing how much your cat should eat with your vet and always measuring your cat's food with a [cat food scoop](https://www.chewy.com/b/food-scoops-6365?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=cat+food+scoop&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can help prevent obesity. Mentioned in this Article Utilizing an [automatic cat feeder](https://www.chewy.com/b/cat-feeders-396?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=automatic+cat+feeder&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) can also help ensure your cat gets fed the same amount at the same times each day. Mentioned in this Article When considering how much your cat should eat, their gender might come into play as well, but usually their breeding status (intact or [spayed](https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-spay-101)/[neutered](https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/neutering-cats-101)) is more important. Cats that have not been spayed or neutered tend to need more calories per day, since their sex hormones keep their metabolisms at a much higher rate. When a female cat is pregnant, her daily food intake will need to increase to help her body grow tiny kittens. ## How Much Food Should a Cat Eat per Day? Knowing how much to feed your cat is a very important part of keeping them healthy. It’s not necessarily the portion size that you need to control, but the number of calories your cat is getting per day. On most cat food and feline nutrition resources, the kcal (kilocalorie) is the unit of measurement used, but this be used interchangeably with calories. This information [can be found on the bag or can of cat food](https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/pet-food-ingredient-and-label-guide) near the ingredients and the recommended volume of feeding (ex: 250 kcal/cup or 250 kcal per can). To figure out how many calories per day your cat needs, your veterinarian will do a calculation based on the factors discussed above, using your cat’s weight in kilograms and [their body condition score](https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_multi_is_my_cat_fat_overweight). A general guide to go by is that cats should eat about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if you have a 10-pound cat, they should eat around 250 kcal per day. The number of calories needed also depends on how active your cat is. Cats that are less active tend to need fewer calories. If you need to know how much your cat needs to eat daily based on their physical and medical needs, speaking with your veterinarian is best. This chart can be used as a guide to start feeding your adult cat (ages 1 to 7 years old). Knowing there are many factors that go into how much your cat should eat daily, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before you make long-term decisions about your cat’s daily calorie intake. The recommendations can vary greatly in both directions from this chart, which is why your vet is the best resource to know how much your cat needs to maintain their health and good body condition. \| \| \| \| \| \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| Cat Weight \| Spayed/Neutered \| Intact \| Healthy Cat, Prone to Obesity \| In Need of Weight Loss \| \| 5lbs \| 125 kcal/day \| 175 kcal/day \| 100 kcal/day \| 75 kcal/day \| \| 8lbs \| 200 kcal/day \| 280 kcal/day \| 160 kcal/day \| 120 kcal/day \| \| 10lbs \| 250 kcal/day \| 350 kcal/day \| 200 kcal/day \| 150 kcal/day \| \| 12lbs \| 300 kcal/day \| 420 kcal/day \| 240 kcal/day \| 180 kcal/day \| \| 15lbs \| 375 kcal/day \| 525 kcal/day \| 300 kcal/day \| 225 kcal/day \| \| 18lbs \| 450 kcal/day \| 630 kcal/day \| 360 kcal/day \| 270 kcal/day \| \| 20lbs \| 500 kcal/day \| 700 kcal/day \| 400 kcal/day \| 300 kcal/day \| To convert calories into portion sizes, figure out the number of calories in a cup or in a can of cat food. This information is found below the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient lists on most cat food. If the bag says the diet is 500 kcal per cup of food and your cat weighs 10 pounds, your cat needs 250 kcal/day, which is ½ cup of food daily. If they eat two meals a day, then they get ¼ cup at each meal to get their caloric needs for the day. It’s also good to keep in mind that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. If your cat gets treats daily, then the number of calories they get in their treats plus the amount they get from their food should equal the total calories they need daily. In most cases, cats that eat both wet and dry food would not get equal volumes of wet and dry food but equal caloric measurements. For example, if your cat gets 250 kcal per day and they eat wet and dry food, they should get 125 kcal per day of wet food and 125 kcal per day of dry food split into their meal portions. Let's take a look at [Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food](https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-savory/dp/34092?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Savory+Chicken+Entree+Wet+Cat+Food&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat) and [Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food](https://www.chewy.com/hills-science-diet-adult-chicken/dp/34082?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cat&utm_term=Hill%27s+Science+Diet+Adult+Chicken+Recipe+Dry+Cat+Food&utm_content=/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat). The canned food is around 181 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and the dry food is 483 kcal per cup. The cat who gets 250 kcal/day would get around ⅔ of a 5.5-ounce can per day and ¼ cup of dry food per day (often split into 2 meals). That equals about 240 kcal/day, which leaves room for cat treats, which should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily intake. Mentioned in this Article ## How Much Food Is Too Much for a Cat? We tend to relate food with love and offer our feline family members a bit too many calories per day. If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues. Obesity is defined as [being at least 20% or more above normal weight](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/obesity#:~:text=McDaniel's%20view%20is%20consistent%20with,into%20the%20%E2%80%9Cobese%E2%80%9D%20category.). Obesity is also the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats. > If your cat eats too much (over their recommended daily meals), you may notice they are gaining weight, they are not as active, or they start developing health issues. A [study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34936906/) done at the University of California, Davis from 2006 to 2015 found that 41% of the 9,062 cats were obese. Obesity in cats puts them at much higher risk of: - [Diabetes](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/c_ct_diabetes_mellitus) - Arthritis - [High blood pressure](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_systemic_hypertension) - Skin disease - [Liver disease](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/liver-disease-cats) - [Urinary tract disease](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/feline_idiopathic_lower_urinary_tract_disease) - [Heart disease](https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/heart-disease-cats) It also makes [anesthesia](https://www.petmd.com/cat/procedure/anesthesia-for-cats) a much higher risk. * [![Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://image.petmd.com/files/styles/user_image/public/pictures/2022-03/MorrisonHeadshot.jpg?w=256&q=75)](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) WRITTEN BY [Barri J. Morrison, DVM](https://www.petmd.com/author/dr-barri-j-morrison) Veterinarian Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her... *
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