how much should i feed my cat

Your cat insists, with total conviction, that it is starving and has never been fed. It is lying. Working out how much a cat should actually eat is one of the most useful things you can get right, because both overfeeding and underfeeding cause real problems, and the cat is no help at all. Here is how to get to the right amount.

There is no single number that fits every cat, because how much a cat needs depends on several things: its weight, its age, how active it is, whether it has been neutered, and whether you feed wet food, dry food, or both. A big, young, active cat needs far more than a small, older, sleepy one. So rather than chasing one magic figure, the reliable approach is to start from a sensible baseline and then adjust to the cat in front of you.

start with the guidance on the food

The easiest starting point is the feeding guide printed on your cat food, which gives a recommended daily amount based on your cat's weight. Use it as a starting estimate, not gospel, because these guides are averages and your particular cat may need a little more or less. Weigh out or measure the portions rather than guessing by eye or topping up a bowl whenever it looks low, since eyeballed portions and endless refills are how cats quietly become overweight. If you feed both wet and dry, remember they must be counted together, and that dry food is far more calorie-dense by volume than wet, so a small scoop of biscuits carries more energy than it looks.

then adjust to your cat's body

The food packet is the estimate; your cat's body is the answer. The best guide to whether you are feeding the right amount is your cat's body condition, which you can check by feel. In a cat at a healthy weight you should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of covering, without them being sharply visible, and looking down from above you should see a slight waist behind the ribs. If you cannot feel the ribs and there is no waist, your cat is likely overweight and needs less; if the ribs and spine are sharply prominent, it may need more or a vet check. Adjust the amount gradually over weeks, not overnight, and re-check the body condition as you go. This feedback loop, feed, assess, adjust, matters far more than any number on a chart.

life stage, and how often to feed

Age changes the picture. Kittens are growing fast and need more food for their size, fed in several small meals through the day, and a specific kitten diet. Adult cats settle into a steadier requirement, and neutered cats generally need somewhat less than unneutered ones, since neutering lowers their energy needs, which is a common reason cats gain weight after the operation if the food is not adjusted. Senior cats have their own needs again and benefit from closer monitoring. As for frequency, cats are natural grazers who in the wild eat many small meals, and most do well on two or more measured meals a day, or food puzzles that make them work a little for it, rather than one large serving. Whatever the schedule, fresh water should always be available.

the one thing to avoid

If there is a single mistake to guard against, it is overfeeding, because obesity is common in pet cats and it is genuinely harmful, driving conditions such as diabetes, joint disease, and a shorter life. A cat that is a little too generous with the pitiful starving act, met by an owner who keeps topping up the bowl, is the classic route to an overweight cat. Measure the food, resist the guilt-trip, keep treats small and counted, and check the body condition regularly. And when you are genuinely unsure, especially if your cat is over- or underweight, very young or old, or has a health condition, ask your vet, who can work out your cat's precise needs and recommend a diet to match. Your cat will tell you it is being starved regardless. Feed the body, not the performance.

Related reading from my desk: can cats eat dog food, on getting the right food, and how long do cats live, on how diet and weight shape a cat's years.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. For a cat that is over- or underweight, very young or old, or has a health condition, ask your vet for a tailored feeding plan. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.