Cats

How Much Food Does Your Cat Need?

Nicole Groshek | December 27, 2023 | 7 minute read

Understanding how much to feed your cat is as important as picking the right type of food. To help your cat thrive, you want to find the “Goldilocks” amount of food: enough so they get all the nutrients they need while avoiding unhealthy weight gain. While your veterinarian should have the final say in how much to feed your cat, these guidelines give a helpful overview of how much you should feed your cat based on their age, weight and other factors.

How Much to Feed Adult Cats

The right amount to feed an adult cat can vary based on their:

Age
Size/Breed
Activity level
Overall health
Type of food
Whether your cat has been spayed/neutered

The type of food affects how much you should feed your cat because dry cat food is more calorie dense than wet cat food (which has more moisture).

When a cat is spayed or neutered it changes their hormone levels, which often increases appetite while decreasing metabolism. Weight gain after a spay or neuter surgery is very common, but small adjustments can help. Monitor your cat’s weight after the procedure, and if necessary gradually decrease how much you feed them (around 10-15%) over the next few weeks. Your vet can also help you determine an appropriate feeding plan following sterilization.

How Much Raw, Dry or Wet Cat Food to Feed

No matter what type of food you feed your cat, how much to feed is based on your cat’s daily caloric needs. Determine how many calories per day your cat needs by using the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag and consult with a veterinarian to determine the correct amount for your cat.

Shortcut: Use Our Recommended Feeding Guidelines for Cats

Each Stella & Chewy’s cat food package AND product page on our website includes a table with recommended daily portion sizes based on body weight.

Dry cat food is more calorie dense than wet cat food (which has more moisture) which is why the recommended portions of wet food may seem larger if you’re comparing a serving of dry food and wet food side by side.

Dry Cat Food Feeding Guidelines

In general, an adult cat of average size needs ½ cup to ⅔ cup of dry food per day (based on a standard 8 oz. measuring cup). At Stella & Chewy’s, we offer an interactive feeding calculator on all of our product webpages to make figuring this out even easier! Find the right raw coated kibble or raw blend kibble for your cat by exploring our website.

Wet Cat Food Feeding Guidelines

In general, an adult cat of average size needs between 7-11 oz of wet food per day, depending on whether the wet food is pâté, morsels or shreds. Our wet cat food recipes come in different sizes and types of containers to suit every lifestyle. Check out the feeding guidelines on the back of the packaging or on the individual product pages on our website to learn more.

Frozen/Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Feeding Guidelines

In general, an adult cat of average size needs ¾ cup to 1 ¼ cup of frozen raw or freeze-dried raw dinner morsels per day (based on a standard 8 oz. measuring cup). In addition to feeding your cat the correct amount of food, it’s also important to transition your cat to a raw diet slowly. Check out our transition guide to learn more!

How Often to Feed Your Cat

A popular feeding schedule for adult cats is two meals a day during (morning and evening). This is convenient if you have a job that keeps you out of the home for most of the day. It’s also fine to feed your cat three (or more) meals a day as long as each meal size is adjusted accordingly.

Whatever feeding interval your cat prefers, the important thing is sticking to a consistent schedule. Cats like routines because it helps them feel secure when they can predict when their next meal is coming. Regular mealtimes also help regulate your cat’s digestion.

Is It Okay to Let My Cat Graze All Day?

If your cat seems to prefer grazing, it might be the right feeding pattern for your cat. In the wild, cats are inclined to eat several smaller meals spread out over the day. If you opt for grazing or “free-feeding” it’s important to measure your cat’s daily food and not just fill up their bowl whenever it’s empty.

You can leave dry kibble or dry freeze-dried raw cat food out at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Frozen raw (or rehydrated freeze-dried raw) cat food and wet cat food has a limit of 2 hours at room temp, so it’s not suitable for grazing.

How Much to Feed Overweight Cats

If your cat is overweight, you should ask your vet to assess their overall health and help you determine an effective weight loss strategy. Tell the vet what type of food your cat currently eats, how much, and how often (including treats) so they can plan gradual changes.

In general, helping your cat lose weight safely may include calorie reduction, encouraging more activity and not giving in when your cat begs for more food, treats, or cat-safe people foods. Our frozen raw and freeze-dried raw diets can also be a great option to help manage your cat’s weight as they are nutrient-dense and contain a low amount of carbs.

How Much to Feed Pregnant or Lactating Cats

Pregnant and lactating cats have much higher caloric needs because they need to support their own health while also providing nutrition for their developing or nursing kittens. Your veterinarian can best advise you on how much and how often to feed your cat if they are expecting or lactating.

Your pregnant cat might appreciate smaller, more frequent meals due to nausea and/or difficulty digesting larger meals. It’s always important to supply plenty of fresh water for your cat, but especially if she’s producing milk for hungry kittens!

How Much to Feed Kittens

Kittens can nurse for up to 8 weeks, but they can start transitioning to solid food around 4 to 6 weeks – it partly depends on how fast their teeth come in. In general, by 8 weeks kittens are able to eat wet or hydrated (softened) dry cat food.

Because kittens grow so quickly, they may need up to twice the amount of food recommended for adult cats! If you are parenting a kitten you should follow your veterinarian’s recommended feeding schedule and diet, which may involve careful tracking of the kitten’s weight.

How Often to Feed Kittens

Kittens under 6 months old need to eat smaller, more frequent meals compared to adult cats (at least 3 per day). By the time a kitten is 10 months old you can typically start transitioning to two meals per day, or as advised by your veterinarian.

How Much to Feed Senior Cats

In general senior cats have the same caloric needs as they did during their adult years. But some senior cats can become less active over time, which may lead to weight gain. In that case your vet might recommend gradually reducing their caloric intake to prevent unhealthy weight gain.

Weight loss is a more common issue among senior cats, often because of dental problems (which can make eating uncomfortable or painful) or other age-related health problems. As cats age, their digestion might become less efficient, hindering nutrient absorption.

It’s important to monitor your senior cat’s weight and body condition, especially if they have long hair, so you can spot changes early and consult with your vet if something changes.

Ultimately, how much to feed a senior cat depends on their body size and health status. Your vet might recommend adjusting their diet as they age, so keep up with senior cat wellness checks to help your cat make the most of their golden years!

Feeding Calculators & Other Resources

You can find feeding calculators on the product page of your cat’s favorite food. Just scroll down to the feeding guidelines. Keep reading to learn tips for feeding picky eaters and how to introduce your cat to a raw food diet. For more information, check out our blog or sign up for a Pet Profile to receive helpful tips and tricks right in your inbox.