Calculator
Cat Food Calculator: Calories & Portions
Enter weight, life stage, and the food label’s kcal value to estimate daily calories and portions by gram, cup, can, or pouch. Free, with no account.
CAT FOOD PORTION CALCULATOR
Feeding your cat just right.
Estimate your cat's daily energy needs using the Resting Energy Requirement formula adapted for feline life stages.
Save this to a pet's prep sheet after you create a cat profile.
✦~119 kcal per meal · ~34 g per meal
Gentle reminder: Food energy density varies by brand. Cats are obligate carnivores - always use cat-specific food. Consult your vet before changing portions.
Feline nutrition basics
Why Cat Feeding Is Different
Cats have species-specific nutrient requirements, and a food’s calorie density can differ greatly between recipes and package sizes. Use a complete-and-balanced cat food appropriate for the life stage unless a veterinary professional recommends otherwise.
Worked example
For a 4 kg cat, RER is about 70 × 40.75 = 198 kcal/day. At a 1.2 indoor-adult factor, the starting estimate is about 238 kcal/day. If a pouch contains 80 kcal, 238 ÷ 80 = about 2.98 pouches per day, split across the selected meals.
This is a maintenance estimate, not a weight-loss prescription. Unexpected weight change or a medical condition needs professional assessment before portions are changed.
Protein first
Choose a complete-and-balanced food for your cat’s life stage; an ingredient list alone does not establish nutritional adequacy.
Hydration matters
Wet food contains more water than dry food. Ask your veterinarian about hydration if your cat has a medical condition.
Meal frequency
The calculator divides the daily estimate into one, two, or three meals; follow label and veterinary guidance for frequency.
Help & methodology
Common questions
Is the calorie result a prescription?
No. It is a starting estimate. A cat’s health, body condition, food, and activity can change actual needs.
Can I use the gram result for wet food?
Only when the entered energy density is expressed per 100 grams for that exact food. Otherwise use the package’s calories per can, pouch, or serving.
What if my cat gains or loses weight?
Unexpected weight change warrants veterinary advice. Do not make large feeding changes based only on this calculator.
Reference material: Merck Veterinary Manual energy table · WSAVA nutrition guidance