If your cat acts like they haven’t eaten in days—even though you know you just fed them—you’re not alone. Cats can be very convincing when they want another meal.
But begging doesn’t necessarily mean your cat needs more food.
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of your cat’s overall health, and portion control plays a major role. The challenge is figuring out exactly how much your cat should eat, especially when feeding recommendations vary between wet food, dry food and different brands.
The right amount depends on your cat’s weight, age, activity level, body condition, overall health and the calorie content of their food. If your cat needs to lose weight, their feeding plan should also support gradual, safe weight loss.
How Much Food Should a Cat Eat Per Day?
There isn’t one amount of food that’s appropriate for every cat.
Instead of focusing only on cups or cans, it’s more helpful to think about your cat’s total daily calorie intake. A veterinarian can help determine your cat’s ideal weight and approximately how many calories they should receive each day.
From there, you can use the calorie information on your cat food label to determine an appropriate portion.
This is important because foods vary considerably in calorie density. A half cup of one dry food may contain significantly more calories than a half cup of another. The same is true for canned foods.
And don’t forget about treats! Treats and snacks contribute to your cat’s total daily calorie intake, too.
How Much Dry Food Should I Feed My Cat Per Day?
How much dry food your cat needs depends on both their calorie requirements and the number of calories in their specific food.
Start by checking the package for the number of calories per cup. Once you know your cat’s recommended daily calorie intake, you can determine how much food provides that amount.
Keep in mind that the feeding chart on the bag is a starting point, not necessarily the perfect portion for your individual cat.
Dry cat food is also calorie-dense, meaning a relatively small amount can contain a lot of calories. That’s one reason it’s easy to accidentally overfeed when a bowl is continually topped off throughout the day.
How Much Dry Food Should I Feed My Cat to Lose Weight?
If your cat needs to lose weight, don’t simply cut their current portion in half or drastically restrict their food.
Weight-loss plans should be based on your cat’s current body condition, target weight and nutritional needs. Your veterinarian can calculate an appropriate calorie target and recommend how much of your particular food to offer.
Once you know the daily amount, measure it carefully rather than estimating.
A kitchen scale can be particularly useful for dry food. Measuring by weight is more precise than using a scoop or measuring cup and makes it easier to make small adjustments.
How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Cat Per Day?
Just like dry food, the appropriate amount of wet food depends on its calorie content and your cat’s individual needs.
Rather than assuming your cat needs a certain number of ounces or cans, check the label to see how many calories are in each can.
For example, two 5-ounce cans from different brands or product lines can contain different numbers of calories. One cat may need approximately a can or more per day, while another may require a different amount entirely.
How Many 5-Ounce or 5.5-Ounce Cans of Cat Food Should a Cat Eat Per Day?
There isn’t a universal number of 5-ounce or 5.5-ounce cans that every cat should eat each day.
The best way to determine the amount is to:
- Determine your cat’s appropriate daily calorie intake with your veterinarian.
- Check how many calories are in each can of their food.
- Divide the daily calorie target by the calories per can.
- Account for any dry food, treats or other foods your cat receives.
If you’re feeding multiple types of food, all of those calories count toward the day’s total.
Is Half a Can of Cat Food Enough?
It depends on the size of the can, calorie content of the food and what else your cat eats during the day.
Half of a can may be an appropriate meal when your cat receives another meal later. For other cats and foods, it may not provide enough calories or nutrients for an entire day.
The food label and your veterinarian’s recommendations are better guides than the physical size of the portion.
Is Wet Food or Dry Food Better for Cats?
Both wet and dry cat food can be part of a healthy diet when they’re nutritionally complete and fed in appropriate portions.
Wet food has a much higher moisture content, which can help increase your cat’s water intake. The additional volume may also help some cats feel more satisfied after eating.
Dry food can be convenient and works well for many cats, but because it contains less water, it tends to pack more calories into a smaller volume. Careful measuring becomes especially important for cats that need to maintain or lose weight.
Your veterinarian can help you determine which type of food—or combination of foods—best fits your cat’s individual needs.
Can You Feed a Cat Both Wet and Dry Food?
Yes. You can feed your cat both wet and dry food.
The important part is making sure you’re not accidentally feeding a full day’s worth of both.
If you offer wet food in addition to dry food, those calories should be included in your cat’s total daily allowance. Otherwise, adding canned meals on top of an already adequate amount of dry food can quickly lead to excess calories.
Why Is My Cat Always Hungry?
Cats are natural hunters. In the wild, they would typically eat multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals.
Domestic cats don’t have to expend the same amount of energy finding and catching their food, but they may still be very interested in eating.
Cats also learn quickly.
If meowing, pawing at you or waking you up results in food, your cat learns that the behavior works. Feed your cat as soon as you get out of bed every morning, for example, and you may eventually find yourself with a furry alarm clock trying to move breakfast earlier and earlier.
The same thing can happen when your cat runs into the kitchen every time you open the refrigerator or appears whenever someone approaches the treat cabinet.
When Increased Hunger Could Be a Medical Concern
Not all increased appetite is behavioral.
If your cat suddenly seems much hungrier than usual, particularly if they’re losing weight despite eating more, it’s worth scheduling a veterinary appointment.
Changes in appetite can sometimes accompany underlying medical conditions. Increased thirst, changes in urination, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in activity or unexplained weight loss are additional reasons to have your cat evaluated.
How Do You Put a Cat on a Diet?
Successful weight loss requires more than simply feeding less food.
Start by determining whether your cat actually needs to lose weight and what their ideal weight should be. Your veterinarian can evaluate your cat’s body condition and develop an appropriate calorie goal.
From there, consistency is key.
Pre-Measure Your Cat’s Food for the Entire Day
One of the easiest ways to prevent accidental overfeeding is to measure your cat’s entire 24-hour food allowance at the beginning of the day.
Every meal comes from that amount.
This is especially helpful in a household where more than one person feeds the cat. Otherwise, a persuasive cat may convince multiple family members that no one has fed them yet.
Once the day’s portion is gone, don’t add more food simply because your cat asks.
Feed Several Small Meals
Instead of leaving an unlimited amount of food available all day, consider dividing your cat’s daily allowance into several smaller meals.
This can better mimic a cat’s natural tendency to eat multiple small meals throughout the day while still allowing you to control their total calorie intake.
Automatic feeders can also be helpful for distributing measured portions throughout the day without teaching your cat that begging at a person results in food.
Make Mealtime More Engaging
A cat looking for food is also looking for something to do.
Puzzle feeders, food-dispensing toys and other forms of enrichment can encourage your cat to work for their food and slow down how quickly they eat.
Play is important, too. Regular interactive play sessions can provide enrichment and increase your cat’s daily activity.
What Is the Most Filling Cat Food?
If your cat constantly seems hungry while trying to lose weight, talk with your veterinarian rather than simply looking for the food with the largest serving size.
Some diets are specifically formulated for weight management and satiety. Depending on your cat, a veterinarian may recommend a diet with a particular balance of protein, fiber, moisture and other nutrients that helps your cat receive adequate nutrition while consuming an appropriate number of calories.
What About Appetite Suppressants for Cats?
If you’re searching for an appetite suppressant because your cat begs constantly, start with your veterinarian.
Begging may be behavioral, but an unusually strong or suddenly increased appetite can also warrant a medical evaluation.
Never give your cat a human appetite suppressant, weight-loss medication or supplement unless your veterinarian has specifically instructed you to do so.
How to Get Your Cat to Stop Begging for Food
This may be the hardest part of putting a cat on a diet.
Feeding your cat in response to begging teaches them that begging works. If your cat meows and receives a treat, they have every reason to meow again the next time they want one.
Instead:
- Establish consistent feeding times.
- Measure your cat’s entire daily food allowance.
- Avoid providing extra food in response to begging.
- Use play and attention as alternatives to food.
- Try puzzle or timed feeders for additional enrichment.
- Make sure everyone in the household follows the same feeding plan.
It can take time for your cat to adjust to a new routine, particularly if begging has resulted in food for years.
How Quickly Should a Cat Lose Weight?
Weight loss in cats should be gradual and monitored.
Trying to make your cat lose weight quickly by severely restricting food can be dangerous. Cats that don’t consume enough calories or stop eating altogether can develop serious health complications.
Your veterinarian can establish a safe weight-loss goal based on your cat’s current weight and health.
Regular weigh-ins are also helpful. Weighing your cat consistently allows you and your veterinarian to determine whether the feeding plan is working and make adjustments when necessary.
How Can I Tell if My Cat Is Overweight?
The number on the scale is only one part of evaluating your cat’s weight.
Veterinarians also use a body condition score to evaluate the amount of fat covering areas such as the ribs, waist and abdomen.
At an ideal body condition, you should generally be able to feel your cat’s ribs without pressing through a thick layer of fat, and your cat should have some definition at the waist when viewed from above.
If you’re unsure, ask your veterinarian at your cat’s next wellness exam. They can assess your cat’s body condition and tell you whether weight loss is recommended.
Talk to Your Veterinarian About Your Cat’s Ideal Weight
There isn’t a single feeding recommendation that works for every cat.
A young, active cat may have very different calorie needs than an older, less active indoor cat. Medical conditions, medications, activity level and the type of food you’re feeding can also affect your cat’s nutritional needs.
That’s why the best weight-loss plan is an individualized one.
At Companion Animal Clinic in Blacksburg, VA, our veterinary team can evaluate your cat’s weight and body condition and help you determine an appropriate feeding plan based on their individual needs.
If you’re concerned about your cat’s weight, appetite or eating habits, schedule an appointment with Companion Animal Clinic. We can help you determine how much your cat should be eating and create a plan to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight.
