{"id":876,"date":"2026-08-03T15:36:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T13:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mylilo.at\/how-much-food-does-a-cat-need-the-right-amount\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T15:43:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T13:43:38","slug":"how-much-food-does-a-cat-need-the-right-amount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mylilo.at\/en\/how-much-food-does-a-cat-need-the-right-amount\/","title":{"rendered":"How much food does a cat need? The right amount"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How much food does a cat actually really need? Almost every cat owner asks themselves this question at some point\u2014usually when the cat is either constantly standing by the bowl or the scales suddenly show more than they did last year. <\/p>\n\n

The short answer: It depends on your cat\u2019s weight, age, and lifestyle. You\u2019ll get the longer answer now, including a table for quick reference. <\/p>\n\n

The rule of thumb for feeding amounts<\/h2>\n\n

An adult, normal-weight cat needs about 50 to 60 kilocalories per kilogram of body weight per day.<\/p>\n\n

With high-quality wet food with a high meat content, the energy content is usually around 80 to 100 kilocalories per 100 grams. This gives you a practical rule of thumb: <\/p>\n\n

Around 50 to 60 g of wet food per kilogram of body weight per day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

That puts a 4 kg cat at roughly 200 to 240 g per day.<\/p>\n\n

Feeding amount by weight \u2013 table<\/h2>\n\n
Cat\u2019s weight<\/th>Wet food per day<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
3 kg<\/td>approx. 150\u2013180 g<\/td><\/tr>
4 kg<\/td>approx. 200\u2013240 g<\/td><\/tr>
5 kg<\/td>approx. 250\u2013300 g<\/td><\/tr>
6 kg<\/td>approx. 290\u2013350 g<\/td><\/tr>
7 kg<\/td>approx. 330\u2013400 g<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

These values are guidelines for adult cats with normal activity. The exact requirement is always stated on the packaging of the specific food, because the energy content varies from variety to variety. <\/p>\n\n

These factors change food requirements<\/h2>\n\n

Age.<\/strong> Kittens are growing and need significantly more energy relative to their body weight\u2014sometimes two to three times as much. Older cats from around ten years of age move less, but need especially easily digestible protein. <\/p>\n\n

Neutering.<\/strong> After neutering, energy requirements drop by around 20 to 30%. At the same time, appetite increases. This exact combination is the most common reason for overweight in indoor cats. <\/p>\n\n

Indoor cat or outdoor cat.<\/strong> A cat that\u2019s out and about for hours outdoors uses noticeably more energy than a cat that spends the day on the sofa.<\/p>\n\n

Activity and personality.<\/strong> Some cats race around the home all day, others take twenty-hour breaks. That makes a real difference. <\/p>\n\n

Pregnancy and nursing.<\/strong> Requirements increase sharply here\u2014sometimes to double or more. It\u2019s best to discuss this with your vet. <\/p>\n\n

Illnesses.<\/strong> With kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems, different rules apply. In that case, feeding amounts should be handled by your veterinarian. <\/p>\n\n

How often should you feed per day?<\/h2>\n\n

Cats are not naturally two-meal animals. In the wild, they eat many small portions throughout the day\u2014often eight to twelve mini meals. <\/p>\n\n

In practice, three to four portions per day have proven effective. It\u2019s better for digestion, prevents cravings, and reduces vomiting in cats that eat too fast. <\/p>\n\n

Important: The daily amount stays the same\u2014you\u2019re just splitting it up differently.<\/p>\n\n

Is my cat overweight?<\/h2>\n\n

The simplest test works without scales. Run your hands along the sides of your cat\u2019s ribcage. <\/p>\n\n