An adult cat weighing four to five kilos typically eats between 40 and 65 grams of dry food per day, depending on how energy-rich the meal is and how active the cat is. That's the starting point, but the exact amount depends on the cat's weight, age, activity level and whether it is neutered. A meal with a high proportion of animal protein and a high energy content is more satisfying per gram, so here the cat needs less than it would of a more filler-heavy product. That's why the first place you'll find the right number of grams is always the feeding guide on the bag you're using.
How to find your cat's daily amount based on weight
The simplest and most accurate method is to base it on the cat's current weight and the recommended amount on the bag. The feeding guide is calculated based on exactly that meal's energy content, and it usually states a range in grams per day for different weight categories. A small cat weighing three kilos needs noticeably less than a large cat weighing six kilos, and a cat weighing five kilos often lands somewhere between 50 and 65 grams per day for an energy-rich meal. Weigh the food with a kitchen scale rather than measuring it in a cup or by eye. An estimate easily becomes a handful of grams too much, and over weeks and months that is exactly how excess weight sneaks in.
Remember that the number on the bag is a starting point, not an exact answer. Two cats of the same weight can have different needs, and you adjust based on how the cat actually develops over time. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, nutrition advisors are ready on the phone, chat and email if you're unsure where your cat should land within the range.
Why age and life stage change the amount
A growing kitten has a completely different energy requirement than an adult cat, and a senior cat yet another. Kittens use an enormous amount of energy on growing and play their way through the day, and they therefore need relatively a lot of food in relation to their small body weight, spread over several small meals. Their meals must also be composed for growth, so they get the protein and nutrients a young body needs. For kittens we have gathered everything in kitten meals, and if you want to know more specifically about portions in the early period, you can read our guide how much food should a kitten have per day.
The adult cat has a more stable requirement, where weight and activity govern the amount. Here you'll naturally find the nutritional profile in meals for adult cats. The senior cat often moves less and needs a meal suited to a calmer everyday life without losing muscle mass. For the golden years, meals for senior cats are composed with exactly that in mind. When the life stage changes, the amount changes with it, which is why it's a good habit to recalculate the portion every time the cat enters a new stage.
How activity level and neutering affect the portion
Two adult cats of the same weight can have different needs purely because of how much they move around. A cat with a high activity level that roams outside and hunts burns more than a cat with a more moderate indoor everyday life. The active cat therefore lies at the high end of the range, while the indoor cat typically needs less.
Neutering makes a real difference. After neutering, the cat's energy requirement falls, while the appetite is often the same or greater, and this is a classic reason why cats gain weight. A neutered cat therefore needs a slightly smaller portion than it got before, and preferably a meal that satisfies well without being too energy-heavy. For that situation we have gathered meals for neutered cats, where the nutritional profile is designed for exactly that changed need.
Use the cat's body condition to adjust the amount
The weight guide on the bag is a starting point, but the cat's body tells you whether you're getting it right. A cat in healthy shape has a clear waist when seen from above, and you can feel the ribs through a thin layer of fat without having to press hard. If you can't feel the ribs, the cat is probably getting too much, and if they stick out too clearly, it's getting too little. Weigh the cat at regular intervals so that small changes are noticed before they turn into kilos.
Adjust in small steps. If the weight drops or rises undesirably, turn up or down by a few grams at a time and keep an eye on it for a couple of weeks before adjusting again. Sudden changes in appetite or weight without a clear reason belong with the vet, and so does any doubt about whether the cat is at a healthy weight.
Remember treats and water in the daily accounting
Treats count. If you give the cat treats during the day, you should subtract them from the daily ration of meals, otherwise those small extra calories add on top of the planned amount. A rule of thumb is that treats should at most make up a minor part of the total daily energy, so the majority comes from a fully composed meal.
Dry food contains very little moisture, which is why a cat eating dry meals must have plenty of fresh water available at all times. Many cats drink too little on their own, so a clean water bowl, preferably placed away from the food bowl, helps the cat get enough. If you want to give the food a boost in moisture and variety, a wet meal can be included as part of the day's total ration, as long as you adjust the amount of dry meals accordingly.
Meals composed for the cat's needs
How much your cat needs is inextricably linked to what's in the bowl. A meal with a high proportion of animal protein and exquisite ingredients gives the cat more nutrition per gram, and so the portion needs to be smaller than it would be of a product with more fillers. ESSENTIAL FOODS' cat meals are composed for the cat's nature as a carnivore, and you'll find them gathered under cat food. For the adult cat there is, among others, the little lion, the Jaguar and the Panther, each with its own flavour and nutritional profile, so the cat can get a meal it loves, in an amount that suits exactly that cat.
If you want to go deeper into the calculation itself, you can read our detailed guide optimal portion size for cats, which takes you step by step through how to find the right number of grams. When you combine a high-quality meal with a portion tailored to weight, age and activity, you give the cat the best foundation for a healthy weight and a good everyday life, and you are always welcome to lean on our nutrition advisors if you want help hitting exactly the right amount.