Cat Calorie Calculator
Calculate your cat's daily calorie needs based on weight and life stage.
Food amounts are estimates based on average calorie density (wet food: ~25 cal/oz, dry food: ~400 cal/cup). Always check the calorie content on your specific food's label and adjust accordingly.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
Can't find what you need?
Request a ToolHow to Use the Cat Calorie Calculator
Enter your cat's weight and life stage to get daily calorie recommendations. Here is how the calculator works and how to use the results:
- Enter your cat's weight. Use your cat's current weight from a recent vet visit or a kitchen scale. You can enter in pounds or kilograms.
- Select life stage. Neutered/indoor cats have the lowest metabolic needs. Kittens need 2.5 times their resting energy. Senior cats need slightly less than adults. The weight loss setting uses 80% of resting energy, which should only be used under veterinary supervision.
- Read the results. The calculator shows total daily kcal, plus approximate wet food ounces and dry food cups. These food amounts are averages; the calorie content of your specific food may differ significantly.
The RER (Resting Energy Requirement) shown is the baseline calories needed for basic body functions at rest. The daily calorie figure multiplies RER by the appropriate life stage factor.
About Feline Nutrition and RER
The Resting Energy Requirement formula (RER = 70 × weight in kg^0.75) is the standard used by veterinary nutritionists to calculate a cat's baseline metabolic needs. It accounts for the non-linear relationship between body size and energy needs: larger cats need more calories, but not proportionally more. This is why energy is calculated using weight to the power of 0.75 rather than a simple multiplication.
Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional requirements for taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A from animal sources. Unlike dogs, cats cannot produce sufficient quantities of these nutrients from plant sources. Any calorie calculation is a starting point; ideal body condition and regular vet weigh-ins are the best indicators of whether a cat's current diet is appropriate. Most cats do best with measured portions rather than free-feeding dry food.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does a cat need per day?
A typical 10-pound (4.5 kg) neutered indoor cat needs approximately 180-220 calories per day. A 10-pound kitten needs around 450-500 calories per day due to the high growth factor. An active or intact cat needs 250-280 calories at the same weight. These numbers vary by individual based on metabolism, activity level, and health status. Your veterinarian can give you a precise target for your individual cat, especially if the cat is overweight or has a health condition.
How much wet food should I feed my cat per day?
Most commercial wet cat foods contain approximately 20-30 calories per ounce, with an average around 25 cal/oz. A typical 10-pound neutered indoor cat needing 200 calories per day would need about 8 ounces (two 3-oz cans) of wet food daily. However, calorie density varies significantly between brands and formulas; always check the "calories per can" or "kcal/kg" on the specific product label and divide by your cat's daily calorie target to get the right amount.
How much dry food should I feed my cat per day?
Standard dry cat food contains approximately 300-450 calories per cup, with an average around 400 cal/cup. A 10-pound neutered indoor cat needing 200 calories per day needs about half a cup of dry food. This is significantly less than most pet owner guesses. Free-feeding dry food is a leading cause of feline obesity because cats often eat more than they need when food is always available. Measured twice-daily meals are recommended by most veterinary nutritionists.
Should I feed my cat wet food or dry food?
Most veterinary nutritionists recommend a combination or a primary wet food diet for cats. Wet food has higher moisture content, which supports kidney health and urinary tract function since cats evolved as desert animals with a low thirst drive. Cats on a dry-only diet often consume significantly less water than optimal. Wet food also tends to be higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates, which is more appropriate for an obligate carnivore. Dry food is not harmful when used as part of a measured diet, but an all-dry diet with free-feeding is linked to higher rates of obesity, urinary problems, and chronic kidney disease in cats.