Feeding Guide
How Much to Feed
The single best starting point is the feeding chart printed on your specific food's packaging — it's calculated for that food's actual calorie density, which varies a lot between brands and formulas. Use the Calorie Calculator to estimate your cat's daily energy needs, then check your food's label for kcal per 100g (wet) or per cup (dry) to work out the matching daily amount.
Weigh food rather than eyeballing it where practical — a kitchen scale removes a surprising amount of guesswork, especially for dry food where a "cup" can vary a lot depending on how it's scooped.
How Often
Two meals a day is a common, reasonable default for adult cats. Kittens under 6 months typically do better with 3-4 smaller meals a day, since they have small stomachs and high energy needs relative to their size. Free-feeding (food available all day) works for some cats but makes overeating easy for others — if your cat is prone to weight gain, scheduled meals give you more control.
Puzzle feeders and slow-feeder bowls can help cats who eat too fast, and give indoor cats a bit of mental stimulation at mealtime.
Transitioning to a New Food
Sudden diet changes commonly cause digestive upset in cats. A gradual transition over 7-10 days is the standard recommendation:
- Days 1-3: about 25% new food, 75% old food
- Days 4-6: about 50/50
- Days 7-9: about 75% new food, 25% old food
- Day 10: fully switched
Go slower if you notice loose stool, vomiting, or the cat refusing to eat — there's no harm in stretching this out over several weeks for a sensitive cat.