Cat calorie calculator
In AAHA's 2021 worked example, a 4.5 kg neutered cat (given as 10 lb) needs about 216 calories at rest and 259 a day at the low neutered-adult factor. Use your cat's ideal weight for its own range.
If your cat is over- or underweight, enter the weight it should be, not today’s. Not sure? Check its body condition.
Enter your cat’s ideal weight to see its daily calories.
A starting estimate. Adjust over the following weeks by weight and body condition; for kittens, pregnancy, nursing, weight loss, seniors or illness, set the target with your vet.
Cat calories per day by weight
Source: 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines
Daily calories for a cat’s ideal weight, worked out with the calculator’s own formula and factors.
| Ideal weight | Resting (RER) | Neutered adult (×1.2–1.4) | Weight loss (×0.8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kg4.4 lb | 118 | 142–165 | 94 |
| 2.5 kg5.5 lb | 139 | 167–195 | 111 |
| 3 kg6.6 lb | 160 | 192–224 | 128 |
| 3.5 kg7.7 lb | 179 | 215–251 | 143 |
| 4 kg8.8 lb | 198 | 238–277 | 158 |
| 4.5 kg9.9 lbAAHA example | 216 | 259–302 | 173 |
| 5 kg11.0 lb | 234 | 281–328 | 187 |
| 5.5 kg12.1 lb | 251 | 301–351 | 201 |
| 6 kg13.2 lb | 268 | 322–375 | 214 |
| 7 kg15.4 lb | 301 | 361–421 | 241 |
| 8 kg17.6 lb | 333 | 400–466 | 266 |
The tagged row is AAHA’s worked example (AAHA calls it a 10 lb cat). Inactive or obese-prone cats (× 1.0) need the resting figure.
AAHA 2021 life-stage factors for cats
Source: 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines
| Profile | Factor |
|---|---|
| Neutered adult | 1.2–1.4 |
| Intact adult | 1.4–1.6 |
| Inactive / obese-prone | 1.0 |
| Weight loss | 0.8 |
| Kitten / growth | 2.5 |
| Pregnant | 1.6–2.0 |
| Nursing | 2.0–6.0 |
How many calories should a cat eat a day?
It depends on the cat's ideal weight and life stage. A neutered adult needs its resting calories times 1.2–1.4. Indoor or less active cats may need fewer calories than these factors suggest.
How many calories does a cat need to lose weight?
AAHA's weight-loss factor is 0.8 times resting calories, worked out from the cat's ideal weight, not its current weight. Plan weight loss with your vet so your cat keeps its muscle as it slims down.
How many calories does a kitten need?
More for its size than an adult. AAHA gives growing cats a single factor of 2.5 times resting calories, against 1.2–1.4 for a neutered adult. Check your kitten's amount with your vet as it grows.
Do treats count toward my cat's calories?
Yes. Take treats out of the daily total, not on top of it. Treat limits differ: no more than 10% of total intake in AAHA’s guidelines, 5% or less of daily food intake in the ASPCA’s Cat Nutrition Tips.
Before sharing something from your plate, look it up in the food safety database.
Should I use my cat's current weight or ideal weight?
Use its ideal weight. For a cat already at a healthy weight, that is simply its current weight. For weight loss, AAHA bases the calculation on ideal weight and adjusts it for each cat.
Not sure what your cat should weigh? Check its body condition score.
How do I turn calories into cups or cans?
Divide your cat's daily calories by the calories per cup or per can on the food label. Under AAFCO rules, cat food labels must show calorie content, and so must treats and snacks.
How is the calorie number worked out?
Resting calories are 70 × (ideal weight in kg)^0.75. Multiply that by the life-stage factor to get daily calories. AAHA's worked example, step by step:
| Step | The 4.5 kg cat |
|---|---|
| Resting calories | 4.5^0.75 × 70 = 216 kcal |
| Life-stage factor | 1.2, the low end for a neutered adult |
| Daily calories | 216 × 1.2 = 259 kcal |
Related tools
Sources
How we choose them- 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines — Box 1, Energy Requirement Calculations (PDF)
“Example for a 10 lb neutered cat: RER = 4.5^0.75 × 70 = 216 MER = 216 × 1.2 = 259”
- 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines — feeding and treats (PDF)
“the main source of complete and balanced nutrition represents ≥90% of total intake whereas treats and other food items make up ≤10%... Base these calculations on ideal weight and adjust as needed for the individual patient”
- ASPCA — Cat Nutrition Tips
“Treats should be given in moderation and should represent 5% or less of a cat’s daily food intake. The rest should come from a nutritionally complete cat food.”