How Many Calories Does a Cat Need Per Day? Chart by Weight
Published by MaunaPet. Editorial policy and sources.
A typical neutered indoor cat weighing 4–5 kg (9–11 lb) needs roughly 198–281 kcal a day. The exact figure depends on weight, age, neuter status and activity, and vets work it out in two steps.
The two-step formula
- Resting energy requirement (RER): RER = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75. This is the energy the body uses at rest.
- Daily energy requirement (DER): DER = RER × a factor for life stage and activity.
Cat calorie chart by weight
| Weight | RER | Indoor, low activity (× 1.0) | Neutered adult (× 1.2) | Intact or active (× 1.4) | Weight loss (× 0.8) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kg (4 lb) | 118 kcal | 118 kcal | 142 kcal | 165 kcal | 94 kcal |
| 3 kg (7 lb) | 160 kcal | 160 kcal | 192 kcal | 224 kcal | 128 kcal |
| 4 kg (9 lb) | 198 kcal | 198 kcal | 238 kcal | 277 kcal | 158 kcal |
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 234 kcal | 234 kcal | 281 kcal | 328 kcal | 187 kcal |
| 6 kg (13 lb) | 268 kcal | 268 kcal | 322 kcal | 375 kcal | 214 kcal |
| 7 kg (15 lb) | 301 kcal | 301 kcal | 361 kcal | 421 kcal | 241 kcal |
| 8 kg (18 lb) | 333 kcal | 333 kcal | 400 kcal | 466 kcal | 266 kcal |
Treat the chart as a starting point. Two cats of the same weight can have clearly different needs. Adjust portions to body condition, not only to the table.
Factors for other life stages
- Kittens up to 4 months: 2.5 × RER.
- Kittens from 4 to 12 months: 2.0 × RER.
- Senior cats (11+ years): about 1.1 × RER, adjusted to body and muscle condition.
- Pregnant or nursing queens: 2.5 × RER or more. Ask your vet.
From calories to grams of food
Find the energy content on the label, in kcal per 100 g, per kg or per can. Then: grams per day = daily calories ÷ (kcal per 100 g) × 100.
Example: a 4.5 kg (10 lb) neutered adult needs about 259 kcal a day. With dry food at 360 kcal per 100 g, that is about 72 g a day. With wet food at 85 kcal per 85 g can, it is about three cans. Weigh dry food on a kitchen scale; scoops are inaccurate.
Treats count too
Keep treats to 10% of daily calories or less. For a cat on 259 kcal, that is about 26 kcal from treats.
Calories for weight loss
The usual starting point is 0.8 × RER, ideally calculated from the cat's target weight, with a slow loss of about 0.5–2% of body weight per week. Never crash-diet a cat: eating too little can trigger hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver disease. Agree the plan with your vet first, and read how to tell if your cat is overweight.
How to know the portion is right
Check weight and body condition score once a month. Cornell's Feline Health Center notes that kittens usually do best on three meals a day until six months and two meals a day from six months to a year; adults do well on one or two.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories does a 10 lb cat need per day?
A 10 lb (4.5 kg) cat needs about 216 kcal a day if it is an indoor, low-activity cat and about 259 kcal as a typical neutered adult. The figure is RER = 70 × (weight in kg) to the power of 0.75, multiplied by a life-stage factor.
How many calories does a kitten need?
Kittens need more energy per kilogram than adults: about 2.5 × RER up to 4 months and 2.0 × RER from 4 to 12 months. A 1 kg kitten under 4 months needs about 175 kcal a day, split into several meals.
Do indoor cats need fewer calories?
Usually, yes. Low-activity indoor cats are calculated at about 1.0 × RER, compared with 1.2 for a typical neutered adult and 1.4 for an intact or active cat.
How many calories should a cat eat to lose weight?
The usual starting point is 0.8 × RER, ideally based on the target weight, aiming for about 0.5–2% of body weight lost per week. Do not cut food sharply: cats that eat too little can develop hepatic lipidosis. Ask your vet to confirm the plan.
Sources and further reading
- WSAVA — Global Nutrition Guidelines
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals
- Cornell Feline Health Center — How Often Should You Feed Your Cat?
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Obesity
- Pet Nutrition Alliance — Calorie Calculator
Links checked on November 12, 2026. These sources support the topic; they do not certify this entire article. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.