Cat Nutrition Hub

Monthly is ideal for healthy adults. If your cat is on a weight-loss plan, every two weeks gives you enough data to adjust portions before significant drift occurs. Use the same scale each time — ideally in the morning before feeding.

Cat calorie needs are genuinely low compared to dogs or humans. A 4 kg neutered adult cat needs roughly 180–240 kcal/day at rest. Many commercial foods list feeding guidelines that are too generous — they're calibrated for sales, not science. Our calculation follows NRC veterinary formulas.

Never. Rapid weight loss in cats risks hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which can be fatal and develops within days of severe caloric restriction. Safe weight loss is 0.5–1% of body weight per week. Always consult your vet before starting a weight-loss plan.

Dry kibble is calorie-dense: typically 300–500 kcal per cup. Wet food is mostly water: typically 70–100 kcal per 85 g can. Wet food makes portion control easier visually, and the moisture content supports kidney and urinary health — important for cats that don't drink enough water.

Yes — significantly. Neutering reduces metabolic rate by approximately 25–30%. It also reduces roaming behaviour in males, meaning less activity. Our calculator accounts for this with a lower multiplier for neutered adults (1.2×) versus intact cats (1.4×).

Feeding an overweight cat based on its current weight tells the body to maintain that weight. By calculating RER from the estimated ideal weight, you create a gentle deficit that guides the cat toward a healthy body condition without a crash diet. This is the WSAVA-recommended approach.