Cat food calculator: how much to feed your cat
Turn your cat's weight and food labels into daily cans, cups and grams.
Cat food calculator: daily portions at a glance
The interactive calculator needs JavaScript. These are its own estimates for a spayed or neutered cat in ideal body condition, with normal activity, before treats. Wet food assumes 85 kcal per 3 oz can; dry food assumes 380 kcal per 8 oz cup. Use the calories on your own labels for an exact plan.
| Cat's weight | Adult, kcal/day | All wet | All dry | Senior, kcal/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kg (6.6 lb) | 191 kcal | 2.2 cans | 0.5 cups | 176 kcal |
| 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) | 215 kcal | 2.5 cans | 0.57 cups | 197 kcal |
| 4 kg (8.8 lb) | 238 kcal | 2.8 cans | 0.63 cups | 218 kcal |
| 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) | 260 kcal | 3.1 cans | 0.68 cups | 238 kcal |
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 281 kcal | 3.3 cans | 0.74 cups | 257 kcal |
| 5.5 kg (12.1 lb) | 302 kcal | 3.6 cans | 0.79 cups | 277 kcal |
| 6 kg (13.2 lb) | 322 kcal | 3.8 cans | 0.85 cups | 295 kcal |
- Estimate a daily calorie target from your cat's weight, age and activity.
- Subtract treat calories (keep treats under about 10% of the day).
- Split the rest between wet and dry food by calories, then divide by the kcal per can or cup on each label.
This is a starting estimate, not veterinary advice. Adjust based on body condition, weight trend, and your vet's guidance.
How much should I feed my cat?
Most adult indoor cats need about 200–260 kcal a day, depending on weight, age and activity. Enter your cat's weight and the calories from your food labels, and BowlMath turns that daily target into cans, cups and grams of wet and dry food, with treats subtracted first.
Calculators and guides
- Cat food portion calculator — wet, dry and treats in one plan
- Wet and dry cat food calculator — split portions by calories
- Cat treat calorie calculator — the Cornell 10% rule in real numbers
- Dry cat food grams calculator — convert calories to grams per day
- How many cans of cat food per day — cans, trays and pouches
- Cat calories per day calculator — estimate a daily target
- Kitten food calculator — starting portions by calories
- Senior and overweight cat feeding calculator — adjusted portions
- Cat food calorie database — kcal per cup and can by brand
- Cat food kcal converter — a vet's kcal target into cans, cups or grams
- All cat feeding guides
Cat feeding questions, answered
How do I calculate wet and dry food portions for my cat?
Enter your cat's weight and the calories from each food label. BowlMath estimates a daily calorie target, subtracts treats, then splits the remaining calories between wet and dry food.
Can I use BowlMath if my cat gets treats?
Yes. Add treat calories per piece or per day and BowlMath subtracts them before calculating the wet and dry food portions.
Is BowlMath veterinary advice?
No. BowlMath gives a starting estimate based on common cat calorie formulas. Adjust portions based on your cat's body condition, weight trend, and your vet's guidance.
Should I measure cat food by grams, cups, cans, or pouches?
Use the unit printed on the food label first. Wet food is often listed as kcal per can, pouch, tray, or 100g. Dry food is often listed as kcal per cup, gram, 100g, or kg.
Why split wet and dry cat food by calories?
Wet food and dry food have very different calorie density. Splitting by calories first makes the daily plan clearer than splitting by volume or package size.
How often should I update my cat's feeding amount?
Recheck portions when your cat's weight, activity, body condition, food, treats, or life stage changes. Use weight trend and veterinary guidance to adjust.