Calculate exact daily food portions for your cat using WSAVA RER/MER formulas and AAFCO nutrition standards. 9 specialized calculators for every life stage and breed.
Feeding your cat the right amount of food is the single most important factor in maintaining their health, longevity, and quality of life. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), a cat's daily food intake should be calculated based on their Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) — not guesswork or the vague recommendations printed on cat food packaging.
The WSAVA feline calorie formula calculates RER as 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75. This base metabolic rate is then multiplied by a life-stage factor to determine MER: neutered adult cats need approximately 1.2 × RER, intact adults require 1.4 × RER, growing kittens demand 2.5 × RER, and senior cats over 7 years typically need 1.1 × RER. Pregnant cats in their final trimester may require up to 1.6 × RER, while nursing mothers at peak lactation (weeks 3-4) can need 2.5 × RER or more to support milk production for multiple kittens.
Understanding these caloric targets is only half the equation. Converting calories into actual food portions requires knowing the caloric density of your chosen diet. Dry kibble averages 350 kcal per cup (approximately 4,000 kcal per kg), wet canned food provides roughly 100 kcal per 5.5-ounce can, and raw diets typically contain 130 kcal per 100 grams. Our dry/wet/raw converter calculator lets you compare portion sizes across all three food types for the same caloric target, making it easy to transition between diet formats without overfeeding or underfeeding.
For overweight cats, safe weight loss requires a controlled calorie deficit. The standard veterinary recommendation is to reduce intake to 80% of the cat's current MER, creating a gradual loss of 1-2% body weight per week. Rapid weight loss in cats can trigger hepatic lipidosis, a dangerous liver condition. Our overweight cat weight loss calculator applies the BCS (Body Condition Score) 1-9 scale to adjust feeding recommendations based on your cat's current body condition.
Beyond nutrition, cat owners should also consider the financial impact of feeding. Cat food sales tax varies dramatically by state — from 0% in Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, and Delaware to over 9% in parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Our state-by-state cat food tax budget calculator factors in 2026 state and local sales tax rates to project your annual cat food costs, helping multi-cat households and breeders plan their budgets accurately.
Whether you're a first-time kitten owner researching feeding schedules, a rescue shelter managing multiple cats on different diets, or a breeder calculating nutrition for pregnant and nursing queens, our 9 specialized calculators provide precise, AAFCO-compliant feeding recommendations. All calculations follow the latest 2026 WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee guidelines and AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
9 specialized tools covering every life stage, diet type, and budget scenario
Calculate daily calories, dry/wet food portions for adult cats based on weight and activity.
Age-based feeding chart for kittens 2-12 months with growth calorie adjustments.
Low-metabolism calorie targets for cats 7+ years with kidney/joint considerations.
Extra nutrition calculator for pregnant queens and lactating mothers with multi-kitten support.
Safe calorie deficit plan with BCS-linked feeding adjustments for gradual fat loss.
Convert equivalent calorie portions between dry kibble, canned, and raw food diets.
Compare annual cat food costs across all 50 US states with 2026 sales tax rates.
Compare feeding requirements between large breeds (Maine Coon) and small breeds.
Project monthly and yearly cat food total consumption with budget estimates.
An average 10-lb spayed indoor cat needs approximately 200-250 kcal per day. This is calculated using the WSAVA formula: RER = 70 × (4.5 kg)^0.75 ≈ 157 kcal, multiplied by a neutered factor of 1.2 = 188 kcal. Active indoor cats may need up to 280 kcal. Use our basic adult cat feeding calculator for precise results.
For a 10-lb adult cat needing ~200 kcal/day, that equals approximately 0.57 cups of dry kibble (350 kcal/cup). Always measure with a proper measuring cup, not a scoop. Split into 2-3 meals. See our dry/wet/raw converter to compare with wet food portions.
Yes. Neutered/spayed cats have a 20-30% lower metabolic rate. The WSAVA factor drops from 1.4 (intact) to 1.2 (neutered). A 10-lb cat would need ~188 kcal neutered vs ~220 kcal intact. This is why many neutered cats become overweight on the same feeding amount.
Kittens 2-4 months need 4 meals/day, 4-6 months need 3 meals/day, and 6+ months can transition to 2-3 meals/day. Kittens need 2.5× RER in calories for healthy growth. Use our kitten multi-stage feeding calculator for exact portions.
Most states tax cat food at the standard sales tax rate. Only Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, and Delaware have no sales tax. Rates range from 2.9% (Colorado) to over 9% (parts of Tennessee). Check our state cat food tax calculator for your state's 2026 rates.