How Much to Feed a Cat: A Simple Portion Guide
MOFU MOFU Pet Food
Short answer: weigh your cat, work out a starting portion from the food bag, then adjust by 10% up or down every two weeks based on body condition rather than on how loudly the cat asks. Most indoor cats need two measured meals a day, and treats should stay under 10% of daily calories. Weighing the food is the single most reliable change you can make.
Why “one scoop” fails
Scoops are not standardised. A coffee mug holds roughly 80–100g of kibble; a dedicated measuring cup may hold 60g. Two owners using “one cup” can be feeding a 40% difference and neither is wrong.
Kibble size also affects it: small kibble packs more tightly, so a full cup weighs more. Weighing in grams removes the whole problem.
A starting point by weight
For an adult indoor cat on a typical dry food around 4,000 kcal/kg, a reasonable starting ration is roughly 12–15 g per kilogram of body weight per day. Use the chart on your bag as the authority — this is for sanity-checking it.
| Cat weight | Typical daily dry food | Split into two meals |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg (small cat) | 25–32 g | 12–16 g |
| 3 kg | 35–45 g | 18–22 g |
| 4 kg | 45–58 g | 22–29 g |
| 5 kg | 55–70 g | 28–35 g |
| 6 kg | 65–80 g | 32–40 g |
Deduct any wet food or treats from the daily total. A 85g wet pouch is typically 70–90 kcal, which is roughly 18–22g of dry food.
The three things that change the number
Age
Kittens eat two to three times an adult ration for their body weight while growing, and should be fed to appetite. Senior cats often need slightly more protein and less fat, and they absorb food less efficiently.
Activity
A free-roaming cat that hunts lizards burns far more than an indoor cat that sleeps 16 hours a day. Two cats of the same weight can legitimately need 30% different amounts.
Neutering and metabolism
Neutered cats need roughly 20–30% fewer calories than intact cats of the same weight. This is why so many cats gain weight in the year after surgery.
How to tell if the portion is right
Do not rely on weight alone — use body condition. You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, see a visible waist from above, and see a slight tuck from the side.
| What you feel | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ribs easy to feel, waist visible | Ideal | Keep the portion |
| Ribs hard to find, no waist | Overweight | Cut 10% and recheck in 2 weeks |
| Ribs very prominent, spine visible | Underweight | Add 10%, and see a vet if no cause is obvious |
Meals versus free-feeding
Free-feeding works for some cats and some households, but it removes your ability to measure and it removes the hunger rhythm that makes food appealing. Two to three measured meals a day is the better default: it lets you spot appetite changes early, which is often the first sign of illness.
If you must free-feed, weigh the day’s ration into the bowl each morning, so the total is still controlled.
Treats and toppers
Keep treats to under 10% of daily calories. For a 4 kg cat eating 50g of dry food, that is about 5g — two or three small pieces. If you are using toppers to tempt a fussy cat, count them as part of the ration.
Common feeding mistakes
- Using a mug or cup instead of a scale — the error can be 40%.
- Feeding to the bag’s maximum — the chart usually gives a range for a reason.
- Not deducting treats and wet food from the daily total.
- Refilling the bowl without weighing — a habit that quietly adds weight.
- Changing food and portion at the same time — then you cannot tell which one caused a change.
Where MOFU MOFU fits
Because our recipes are grain-free and contain no filler bulk, the daily volume is smaller than a typical supermarket kibble for the same calories — which is why an 81.1% fresh meat, 45% protein bag can look expensive per kilogram but cost less per meal than it appears. Weigh the portion once, then it is the same every day.
Not sure which formula: Fresh Chicken & Superfoods is the daily high-nutrition option, Fresh Duck & Chicken the gentler one. A 100g trial pack tells you in a week whether the cat will eat it.
Frequently asked
How many times a day should I feed my cat?
Two meals for an adult, three or four for a kitten under six months. Splitting the same total into more meals does not change calorie intake.
Should I leave dry food out all day?
Better not to. Take the bowl up after 20–30 minutes so the food stays fresh and your cat stays hungry at mealtimes.
My cat begs constantly — am I underfeeding?
Probably not. Check body condition first. Begging is usually habit, boredom or a treat loop, not hunger.
How do I weigh my cat at home?
Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the cat, and subtract. A kitchen scale with a large bowl works for kittens.
