October 14, 2026
How much should I feed my cat? A simple feeding guide
Quick answer: A healthy adult cat of 4 to 5 kg needs roughly 225 to 290 kcal a day, according to WSAVA guidance. Turn that into grams using the calorie content on your cat’s food, weigh each portion, and then adjust up or down based on your cat’s body condition.
“How much should I feed my cat?” is one of the most common questions cat owners ask. The honest answer is that it depends on your cat, but there is a simple way to work out how much to feed a cat.
This cat-specific guide builds on our general feeding guide for dogs and cats.
Start with your cat’s daily calorie needs
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes calorie guidelines for healthy adult cats in ideal body condition. Here are the ranges for common weights:
| Cat’s ideal weight | Approximate kcal per day |
|---|---|
| 3.0 kg | 200 to 210 |
| 3.5 kg | 215 to 230 |
| 4.0 kg | 225 to 250 |
| 4.5 kg | 240 to 270 |
| 5.0 kg | 250 to 290 |
| 5.5 kg | 260 to 310 |
| 6.0 kg | 265 to 330 |
WSAVA stresses that these figures are a guide only. Cats are individuals, and some need more or less to stay trim. Use your cat’s ideal weight, not its current weight, if it is carrying extra kilos, and ask your vet what that ideal weight should be.
Turn calories into grams
Look for the energy content on the bag or tin. It is usually given as kcal per kg or per 100 g. If it isn’t on the pack, the manufacturer should be able to tell you.
Then divide your cat’s daily calories by the calories per gram. For example, if a dry food has 380 kcal per 100 g (3.8 kcal per gram), a cat needing 230 kcal a day needs about 60 g a day.
If you feed wet and dry food together, split the daily calories between them. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that wet food is about 70 to 80% water, so a pouch or tin contains far fewer calories per gram than dry food.
Use the feeding guide on the pack as a cross-check
The feeding table on the pack is a useful starting point. Cornell points out that these amounts are based on an average cat, so a less active indoor cat may need less than the table suggests.
Whatever amount you start with, weigh it on a kitchen scale. A measuring cup is better than guessing, but a scale is the most accurate.
Check body condition every few weeks
Your cat’s body is the best guide to whether the amount is right. WSAVA uses a 9-point body condition score, where 5 is ideal. At an ideal score:
- You can feel the ribs under a slight layer of fat.
- There is a waist behind the ribs, though it isn’t dramatic.
- The belly fat pad is small and not obvious.
If your cat is heading above ideal, reduce the amount a little. If it’s heading below, increase it a little. Cornell notes that many owners of overweight cats don’t realise their cat is overweight, so ask your vet to score your cat at its next check-up.
How often to feed a cat
Cornell Feline Health Center gives this general guide:
- Kittens up to 6 months: usually three meals a day.
- Kittens from 6 months to 1 year: two meals a day is generally best.
- Adult cats (from about 1 year): once or twice a day suits most cats.
- Senior cats (10 years and older): keep the same routine unless your vet advises otherwise.
Leaving food out all day (free feeding) suits some cats, but it can lead to overeating and weight gain. Splitting the daily amount into set meals makes it easier to keep track.
Cats with different needs
Kittens
Kittens need a food made for growth. See our kitten food range and follow the feeding guide for your kitten’s age.
Sterilised cats
Tufts University’s Catnip newsletter explains that after spaying or neutering, a cat’s metabolism slows, it tends to be less active, and appetite hormones change. Together, that makes weight gain easier. Many sterilised cats need fewer calories than before, or a food with lower calorie density. Browse our weight control and sterilised cat food options.
Senior cats
Older cats can lose or gain weight, and dental problems can make dry food harder to chew. Cornell suggests wet food, smaller kibble or adding water can help. See our senior cat food range, and have older cats checked by your vet regularly.
Cats that need to lose weight
Never put a cat on a crash diet or let it go without food. Cats that stop eating or lose weight too fast can develop serious liver problems (hepatic lipidosis). Weight loss should be gradual and planned with your vet.
Treats and water
WSAVA advises that complementary foods, which include most treats, make up no more than about 10% of the diet. Count them as part of the daily calories.
Cornell recommends plenty of fresh water at all times. This matters most for cats on an all-dry diet, especially those prone to urinary problems.
Your cat feeding checklist
- Find your cat’s ideal weight (ask your vet if unsure).
- Look up the daily calories in the WSAVA table above.
- Check the kcal per 100 g on your cat’s food.
- Work out the daily grams and weigh each meal.
- Include treats in the daily total, keeping them to about 10%.
- Split the food into one or two meals for adults, more for kittens.
- Check body condition every few weeks and adjust slowly.
- Keep fresh water available at all times.
Keep the right food on hand
Browse our full cat food range or check the latest specials. Once you know how much your cat eats, Autoship makes it easy to get the right amount on a schedule, with 35% off your first order (up to R400) and 5% off after that. Order by 10am for same-day delivery in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. Questions? Chat to us on WhatsApp or email hello@zuki.co.za.
If your cat has a medical condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease or urinary problems, ask your vet how much and what to feed.
Frequently asked questions
WSAVA guidance suggests a healthy adult cat of 4 to 5 kg needs roughly 225 to 290 kcal a day. Use the calorie content on your cat’s food to turn that into grams, weigh each portion, and adjust based on body condition.
Kittens up to 6 months usually do best on three meals a day, and two meals from 6 months to a year. Most adult cats do well on one or two meals a day.
Often, yes. After sterilisation, cats tend to burn fewer calories and may feel hungrier, so weight gain is easier. Watch body condition closely and ask your vet whether to reduce portions or choose a sterilised cat food.
At an ideal body condition, you can feel the ribs under a slight layer of fat, there is a subtle waist behind the ribs, and only a small belly fat pad. Your vet can score your cat and tell you its ideal weight.