We’ll tell you how much wet food to give your cat

Determining the amount of wet food needed can be challenging for many pet owners. We can help you ensure your cat gets the right amount.

The amount of wet food your cat needs depends on several factors, including age, size, and lifestyle. Guidelines suggest that a lean cat weighing around 3 kg requires about 170 calories a day, while a 4-5 kg cat needs around 280 calories. When purchasing cat food, it’s always a good idea to check the packaging instructions for the calorie content per portion. This will help you easily calculate how much food is appropriate for your pet each day. However, there are additional considerations to keep in mind.

How much wet food does your cat need?

Although the values may vary from brand to brand and product to product, an 85-gram packet of wet food generally contains around 70-100 calories. This means that an adult cat fed exclusively on this type of food will need 2-3 packets per day.

Now, let’s examine each of the influencing factors in more detail

Age and life stage

A developing cat needs many more calories than an adult or older cat. Young kittens (2-6 months) grow rapidly and therefore have higher nutritional requirements. According to The Spruce Pets, a kitten who is 2,5 kg will need around 320 kcal. If a young cat is 4,5 kg, their calorie requirement is going to be around 540 kg and if they weigh 7 kg, they will need around 740 kcal. So, generally speaking, each kilogram of body weight corresponds to roughly 100-120 kcal of calorie requirement.

Always feed kittens with food specifically designed for their developmental stage, as they require different amounts of calcium and other minerals compared to older cats. Their nutritional needs begin to decrease after 6 months of age, as their growth rate slows down.

Senior cats may require fewer calories if they become less active.

Weight

The cat’s weight is an important factor, but its physical condition should also be considered. For example, a larger, more muscular cat can be a healthy weight at 7 kg. In contrast, a cat of similar weight but with a thinner build might become overweight with the same amount of food and may therefore require fewer calories.

Activity level

An active cat that runs and plays a lot has a higher calorie requirement than one that spends most of its time lying down. Therefore, it’s important to consider the cat’s activity level when determining the appropriate calorie intake.

Pregnancy

A pregnant cat should continue eating her normal diet for the first four to five weeks. After that, she will require a higher calorie intake until the kittens are born and weaned. The optimal caloric intake for a mother cat depends on the number and age of her kittens; for larger litters, her caloric needs may increase to three to four times her usual intake.

Unlike dogs, cats tend to consistently lose weight while nursing their kittens despite eating as much as they can.

How should wet food fit into your cat’s diet?

Many vets recommend feeding cats exclusively or predominantly wet food for several reasons. First and foremost, cats are carnivores and do not need many carbohydrates, whereas dry foods typically contain more carbohydrates than wet foods. Therefore, a diet high in dry food can contribute to obesity in cats.

Also, it is good to remember that cats are prone to dehydration if they do not drink enough water. Wet food, with its higher water content, helps support kidney and urinary tract function and improves overall health.

It’s also worth noting that some cats may prefer dry food and might not consume enough wet food. Regardless of your choice, monitor your cat’s weight closely. If you notice any weight loss or gain, you may need to adjust their diet. A happy, healthy cat will maintain a healthy weight, stay active, and be energetic, and won’t be constantly begging for food. If you’re not achieving this, it may be wise to seek advice from your vet.