Cat Food Management! Learn How to Calculate Cat Food Calories

Picky eating, playing with food, regurgitation... mealtime worries are a constant part of life with a cat. Many owners are especially anxious about whether the amount of cat food or the way they serve it is correct.

To avoid wondering, "Should I give them as much as they want?" or "Is this really enough?", make sure you know how many calories your cat needs per day.

The calories required per day and the appropriate meal portion can be found using a simple formula. For the sake of your cat's health, please be sure to remember this calorie calculation formula for cat food.

Calorie calculation formula for daily requirements

The amount of cat food you should give per day varies depending on your cat's age, weight, and living environment. Of course, the appropriate amount also changes depending on which cat food you choose.

First, you must accurately know the number of calories your cat needs per day.

Let's check the calorie calculation formula required per day for each life stage: kitten, adult, and senior.

Calorie calculation formula for kittens (up to 1 year old)

Kittens grow rapidly and need more calories than adult cats.

Kittens are raised on breast milk or kitten formula until about 30 days old, but once their teeth start growing, you should introduce weaning food. Starting around 2 months of age, you can gradually get them accustomed to regular cat food.

The daily calorie requirement for kittens by age can be determined using the following formula. Since their meal size per feeding is not very large, divide it into 3–4 meals per day. Observe your cat's condition carefully and adjust the meal size while monitoring their weight.

Calorie calculation formula for adult cats (1–7 years old)

Once they are over 6 months old and weigh about 3kg, you should gradually switch them to adult food.

The calories needed for an adult cat can basically be determined by the formula: "80kcal × weight (kg)". Some cats are very active while others are not, and some may gain weight easily after being spayed or neutered, so adjust according to your cat's condition.

Also, pregnant or nursing cats need more nutrients than usual. Use a specialized food or consult with a veterinarian to increase their meal portions.

Calorie calculation formula for senior cats (7 years and older)

As cats reach their senior years, their activity level decreases, so the number of calories needed per day also becomes lower.

The calories needed for the senior stage can be calculated as "60kcal × weight (kg)". Depending on the cat, some may not lose their appetite even if their activity decreases, while others may lose their appetite and stop eating.

It is important to adjust their meal portions and choose senior-specific food while observing your cat's condition.

How to weigh your cat

It is important to keep track of your cat's weight on a regular basis. You can have them weighed at a veterinary clinic, but you can also do it at home.

For kittens weighing less than 1kg, you can use a kitchen scale with a basket placed on top.

For adult cats, you can simply hold your cat and weigh yourself together, then subtract your own body weight. Make it a habit to check their weight about once a week and make a note of it.

The correct way to feed cat food

For cat food, dry food marked as "Complete and Balanced Nutrition" is the standard.

"Complete and balanced" means the food provides all the necessary nutrients to maintain your cat's health, and that the cat can live on the food and fresh water alone.

Try to feed your cat at fixed times every day.

How to feed

Once you have determined the daily required calories using the formulas above, calculate the necessary amount based on the calories indicated on the cat food package.

Daily amount of food

= Daily required calories ÷ calories per 〇〇g of food × 〇〇g

For example, suppose you have a cat food that contains 375 kcal per 100g.

The calories needed for an adult cat weighing 3kg is 240kcal, so 240kcal ÷ 375kcal × 100g = 64g is the daily food amount. You should divide this amount into 2–3 feedings.

What about using wet food in combination?

Some wet foods are labeled "complete and balanced," while others are not.

When topping dry "complete and balanced" food with wet food, choose products labeled as "complementary food," "nutritional supplement," or "side dish" so that you do not disrupt the nutritional balance.

Wet food is low in calories because it has a high water content. However, to prevent obesity, you must reduce the amount of dry food by the amount of wet food you add.

How to give treats

For treats, it is ideal to keep them within 20% of the total daily required calories. For example, for a 3kg cat needing 240kcal per day, treats should be limited to 48kcal (20%).

Leaving food out is a no-no

Cats are creatures that may eat inconsistently or graze. However, "free-feeding," where cat food is left out all day, is a bad idea.

Even dry food will lose its flavor if it oxidizes, and bacteria can multiply if food they have already touched is left out.There is also the disadvantage of being unable to manage the daily calorie intake.

Even for cats that like to eat little by little or those who eat on a whim, you should set meal times and remove the dish after about 30 minutes to an hour. When you are out, try using an automatic feeder or educational toys that dispense food.

Beware of overeating and obesity!

Some voracious cats will ask for more food even after they have finished their meal. Giving them as much as they want will lead to obesity.

Obesity is not only a cause of diseases like diabetes and heart disease, but it also puts a strain on joints. Be careful not to exceed the calories required per day.

BCS (Body Condition Score)

BCS (Body Condition Score) evaluates body type on a 5-point or 9-point scale based on appearance and fat coverage. BCS 3 is considered the standard, so use it as a reference when checking your cat's body type.

Rapid weight loss is dangerous

Even if your cat is a bit chubby, rapid dieting or starvation is dangerous.Aim for a weight loss of 1–3% per week and take a patient approach to dieting.

Try to be creative, such as using diet cat food or combining it with wet food.If your cat needs a serious diet, be sure to consult with a veterinarian.

Summary

The number of calories a cat needs per day varies by age and weight. It also changes based on your cat's lifestyle, such as their activity level.

Dietary management is essential for your cat to live a healthy, long life. Calorie counting is also necessary to prevent obesity. However, the most important thing is whether it is suitable for that individual cat.

Try various things in partnership with your cat to figure out what kind of food to give, how much to give, and what feeding method works best.

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