How much should I feed my cat?

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in cats, affecting over 50% of adult cats in developed countries. It is strongly associated with diabetes, arthritis, urinary disease, and a shortened lifespan. Getting the quantity right is as important as getting the quality right.

Calorie needs by weight and activity

An average indoor adult cat (4–5 kg, neutered, low activity) needs approximately 180–240 kcal per day. For context, a typical 85 g pouch of wet food contains 70–90 kcal, and a cup of dry food can contain 300–400 kcal.

Always check the calorie content on the specific food you use — it varies enormously between brands.

Scheduled feeding vs. free feeding

- Free feeding (leaving dry food out all day) allows cats to graze naturally but makes it impossible to monitor intake. It is strongly associated with obesity, particularly in multi-cat households where dominant cats overeat.
- Scheduled feeding (2–3 meals per day) gives you control over intake and helps maintain healthy weight. Most cats adapt well.
- Puzzle feeders — an excellent middle ground for cats that prefer grazing. Slows eating, provides mental stimulation, and makes portions last longer.

Monitoring body condition

Feel your cat's ribs: you should be able to feel each rib with gentle pressure but not see them clearly. Looking from above, your cat should have a visible waist behind the ribcage. Looking from the side, there should be a slight abdominal tuck. If the ribs are hard to find and there is no visible waist, your cat is overweight.

Multi-cat households

In homes with multiple cats, separate feeding stations prevent competitive eating. Consider microchip-activated feeders if one cat eats more than its share.

Treats

Cat treats should be 10% or less of total daily calories. Many popular treats (Temptations, Churu) are high in calories — count them.

Flovvi tip

Weigh your cat monthly and log it in Flovvi. A weight loss of 0.5 kg per month is the safe maximum for overweight cats — faster loss can trigger hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease).