How much should I feed my cat?
There's no single amount that's right for every cat, because it depends on their weight, age, activity level and the specific food you're feeding, so the honest answer is a method rather than a number. Start with the feeding guide on the pack, then adjust based on how your own cat's body condition changes over the following weeks.
Start with the pack, not a general rule
The feeding guide printed on a food pack is calculated for that specific food's calorie density, so it's a far better starting point than a generic rule of thumb, which can't account for how different foods vary in energy content. Wet and dry food guides are not interchangeable, and neither are guides between different brands.
Weigh out a portion rather than eyeballing it, at least until you've got a feel for what your cat's actual amount looks like in the bowl. It's easy to overestimate or underestimate a scoop by eye, especially with dry food.
Adjust based on body condition, not the scale alone
You should be able to feel your cat's ribs easily under a light covering of fat, and see a subtle waist when looking down at them from above. If you can't feel the ribs without pressing, or there's no waist at all, that's a sign to reduce the amount slightly and reassess in a couple of weeks.
Treats count toward the daily total too, and it's easy to lose track of how much they add up to. A sensible general guide is to keep treats to a small fraction of your cat's daily food, with the main meals making up the rest.
When the method isn't enough on its own
Kittens, pregnant or nursing cats, and cats with a diagnosed health condition all have needs that a general adult feeding guide doesn't cover properly, so it's worth asking your vet for specific guidance in any of those situations rather than adapting an adult method yourself.
An older cat's needs can also shift with age, sometimes needing more calories rather than fewer if they're losing weight unexpectedly, which is itself worth flagging to your vet rather than assuming more food is always the wrong direction to move in.
Feeding kit
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Tarhong Paw Ikat Teal Pet Placemat – BPA-Free PVC & EVA
A vibrant teal ikat placemat with paw print accents — BPA-free, wipe-clean, and 29 × 48 cm for protecting floors under pet bowls.
£8.49
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Tarhong Country Orchard Melamine Pet Saucer
A pretty fruit and floral orchard-print melamine saucer for pets — BPA-free, non-slip, shatterproof, and dishwasher safe at 13.2 cm.
£9.49
Tilted Ceramic Pet Bowl with Raised Stand
A ceramic bowl set in a raised, tilted stand to bring food to a comfortable height and reduce neck strain.
£11.99
Common questions
- How do I know if I'm overfeeding my cat?
- Check their body condition regularly — you should be able to feel their ribs easily and see a subtle waist from above. If you can't feel the ribs without pressing, or your cat is gaining weight steadily, it's worth reducing the amount slightly and speaking to your vet if it doesn't settle.
- Should I free-feed my cat dry food all day?
- For many cats, measured meals at set times give better control over weight than food left out constantly, though some cats manage free-feeding without issue. If your cat is gaining weight, switching to measured portions is a reasonable first step.
- Do treats count toward my cat's daily food amount?
- Yes, treats add calories the same as any other food, and it's easy to underestimate how much they add up to over a day. Keep treats to a small fraction of your cat's overall daily food, with main meals making up the rest.
- My vet wants my cat to lose weight — where do I start?
- Ask your vet for a specific target and plan for your cat, since a safe rate of weight loss and the right calorie target depend on their current weight and health. This page is a general method, not a substitute for a plan built around your own cat.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.