How much to feed a cat: pouches and dry food calculator

How many pouches a day? Quick chart

This chart is for neutered adult cats fed only one type of food, using a typical 85 g pouch with 75 kcal and dry food with 380 kcal per 100 g. Your food may differ, so check the label or use the calculator above.

Cat's weight	Calories a day	Pouches a day (wet only)	Dry food a day	Mixed (50/50)
3 kg	190 kcal	2.5	50 g	1.3 pouches + 25 g
3.5 kg	215 kcal	2.9	57 g	1.4 pouches + 28 g
4 kg	240 kcal	3.2	63 g	1.6 pouches + 31 g
4.5 kg	260 kcal	3.5	68 g	1.7 pouches + 34 g
5 kg	280 kcal	3.7	74 g	1.9 pouches + 37 g
5.5 kg	300 kcal	4.0	79 g	2 pouches + 40 g
6 kg	320 kcal	4.3	85 g	2.1 pouches + 42 g
7 kg	360 kcal	4.8	95 g	2.4 pouches + 48 g

If your cat is overweight, use its target weight, not its current weight. Find a healthy target with our cat weight checker.

How the calculator works

1. Resting energy: we work out your cat's resting energy requirement (RER) with the vets' formula: 70 × body weight in kg^0.75.
2. Life stage: we multiply RER by a factor for life stage and activity, such as 1.2 for a neutered adult, 1.4 for an unneutered adult, 2 to 3 for kittens and 0.8 for weight loss.
3. Your food: we divide the daily calories by the kcal in your pouch or per 100 g of dry food.

Every cat is different. Use the result as a starting point, then adjust by about 10% based on your cat's weight and body shape over the next 2 to 4 weeks.

How many pouches of cat food a day?

Pouches vs sachets vs trays

"Pouches" and "sachets" usually mean the same thing in the UK: an 85 g or 100 g pack of wet food. Trays and tins vary from 85 g to 400 g. Calorie content can range from about 60 to more than 100 kcal per 85 g, so two brands can give very different results. Look for the "metabolisable energy" or kcal figure on the pack.

How much to feed a kitten

Kitten's age	Meals a day	Tips
8–12 weeks	4–6	Kitten food only; small, frequent meals
3–6 months	3–4	Growth is fastest; let them eat a little more if lean
6–12 months	3	Reduce portions by about a quarter after neutering
12 months+	2–3	Switch gradually to adult food

Kittens should always eat a complete kitten food. Large and slow-maturing breeds can stay on kitten food a little longer; ask your vet. See when a kitten becomes a cat.

How much dry food to feed a cat

Dry food is calorie-dense, so small changes make a big difference: an extra 10 g a day can add roughly 40 kcal, which is about a sixth of a 4 kg cat's daily needs. Always weigh dry food on kitchen scales rather than using a scoop or cup. Free feeding (leaving a full bowl out) is a major cause of weight gain in indoor cats. If your cat likes to graze, measure the day's portion each morning and put it in a puzzle feeder.

Mixed feeding: wet and dry

Many UK owners feed one or two pouches plus some dry food. To get it right:

• Work out total daily calories with the calculator.
• Choose the split you want (for example, 50% wet and 50% dry).
• Feed the matching pouches and grams, and don't add extra on top.

Wet food provides more water, which helps cats with urinary problems, kidney disease or constipation. See our guides to renal diets for cats and constipation in cats.

Adjusting for your cat's lifestyle

Treats and extras

Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories, about 20 to 25 kcal for an average cat. Count dental treats, cat milk and human food. Even small extras, such as a teaspoon of tuna or a lick of ice cream, add up. Check which foods are safe in our guides on pork and pasta, and never feed dog food as a regular diet, as it lacks taurine.

Signs you're feeding too much or too little

Overfeeding	Underfeeding
Ribs hard to feel	Ribs, spine or hip bones visible
No visible waist; sagging belly	Constant hunger and begging
Weight gain on monthly weigh-ins	Weight loss on monthly weigh-ins
Less active, struggles to groom	Dull coat or low energy