How Much To Feed A Cat?

It can be difficult to know how much to feed a cat; you don’t want her to become overweight but you still want her to get all the nutrients she needs to be healthy. Generally speaking, your cat’s ribs should have a light covering of flesh; you should be able to feel them quite easily but not see them. If you think that she is too thin or too heavy take her to the vet to rule out any health issues.

Your cat will need a diet which includes the major nutrient groups needed for optimum health. These are carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins and proteins. Most good quality manufactured complete cat foods should provide a good balance of this. Stick to good quality foods- if you are feeding a cheaper, lower quality cat food, you may need to give her more in order for her to get the same amount of nutrients so this is a false economy.
A kitten has a tiny stomach and will need to be fed little and often, generally about four of five meals a day until they are around six months old. This should be gradually reduced to three meals a day until they reach a year of age. Once they are mature you can adopt a regular feeding routine. Always feed her at the same time each day, in the same spot; cats love routine.

Most people feed their cat meat from cans or pouches twice daily, supplemented by dry food that is freely available throughout the day. Cats are generally very good at regulating their food intake, and won’t normally overeat, however there are exceptions! If your cat is naturally greedy you may need to limit her food or feed a specially formulated cat food that is lower in calories.

As a general rule of thumb, cats should eat between 20 to 30 calories per pound each day to maintain a healthy weight, so a 10lb cat would need to eat between 200 to 300 calories per day. If your cat is overweight this should be calculated on her ideal weight, for example if she weighs 15lbs but should only weight 10lbs her daily calorie intake will still be between 20 to 30 calories per day. You should be able to find the amount of calories the food contains on the nutritional information label.

As well as feeding main meals, many owners choose to give their cat complimentary treats. These can also be given as a reward when training. If your cat starts to become overweight then you may need to reduce the amount of complimentary treats you give her.

You should avoid giving her human food as treats, such as candy or milk. She may not be able to digest these foods and they could also cause her to gain weight. There’s nothing wrong with cooking her fresh piece of meat or fish though as long as it isn’t too fatty.

If you have any concern about your cat’s weight, or her eating habits suddenly change, then consult your vet for advice.