How Much to Feed a Cat

Dry cat food is more calorie-dense than wet food — about 300-400 calories per cup. Most adult cats need about ⅓ to ½ cup of dry food per day if it's their sole diet. If you feed a combination of wet and dry, reduce both portions accordingly. Use a measuring cup rather than estimating, as overfeeding dry food is the most common cause of cat obesity.

Both can be nutritionally complete if they meet AAFCO standards. Wet food has significant advantages: higher moisture content (important since cats have a low thirst drive), fewer carbohydrates, and lower calorie density which helps prevent obesity. Dry food is more convenient and can help dental health. Many vets recommend a combination of both, or primarily wet food.

Kittens under 4 weeks need feeding every 2-3 hours. From 4-8 weeks, feed 4-5 times per day. From 2-6 months, feed 3-4 times per day. From 6-12 months, 2-3 times per day. Adult cats (1+ year) do well with 2 meals per day. Kittens have small stomachs but high calorie needs, so frequent small meals are better than fewer large ones.

Most cats should switch to adult food at 12 months. Larger breeds like Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and Norwegian Forest Cat may benefit from staying on kitten food until 18-24 months since they continue growing. Transition gradually over 7-10 days by mixing increasing amounts of adult food with decreasing kitten food to avoid digestive upset.

Some human foods are safe in small amounts: cooked plain chicken, turkey, salmon, and small amounts of cooked egg. However, many human foods are toxic to cats, including onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol, and anything containing xylitol. Milk can cause diarrhea in most adult cats because they're lactose intolerant. Stick to cat-formulated food as the primary diet.

Check your cat's body condition: you should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure but not see them prominently. When viewed from above, your cat should have a visible waist. From the side, the belly should tuck up slightly. If the ribs are hard to feel under a layer of fat, or there's no visible waist, your cat is likely overweight. Over 60% of US cats are overweight or obese, per the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

Scheduled feeding (measured portions at set times) is generally recommended for adult cats, as it prevents overeating and makes it easier to notice appetite changes that could signal illness. Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) is acceptable for kittens under 4 months who need frequent access to food and rarely overeat. If you free-feed an adult cat, use only dry food and measure a day's portion.

Cats need approximately 3.5-4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day (about 1 ml per kcal of food consumed). Cats on a wet food diet get most of their water from food (wet food is about 78% water). Cats on dry food only need to drink significantly more. Provide fresh water daily, and consider a cat fountain — many cats prefer running water.

Yes. Spaying or neutering reduces a cat's metabolic rate by approximately 20-30%, according to research published in the Journal of Nutrition. This means spayed/neutered cats need fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight. If you don't reduce portions after the procedure, weight gain is very likely. Consult your vet for adjusted feeding amounts.