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Cat Portion Calculator: How Many Grams Per Day Per Weight?
Quick answer
An adult cat eats 40–60 grams of dry food per day per 4 kg of body weight. Kittens need relatively more, older cats slightly less. Most packaging underestimates the portion: use your cat's weight as the starting point, not the recommendation on the bag.
- ✓ 4 kg cat: 50–60 grams of dry food per day
- ✓ 6 kg cat: 70–85 grams of dry food per day
- ✓ Wet food: 1.5 × the weight in grams per day (85 g for a 4 kg cat)
- ✓ Kitten: 1.5–2 × the portion of an adult cat of the same weight
De meeste katteneigenaren vullen de bak "op gevoel" bij. Begrijpelijk, maar het leidt tot twee problemen: te weinig eten (ondergewicht, traagheid) of te veel eten (overgewicht, gewrichtsklachten). Katten zijn kleine dieren met een nauwkeurig voedingsritme. Een portieverschil van 10 gram per dag heeft over een jaar een merkbaar effect op hun gewicht.
The good news: the calculation is simple if you know your cat's weight. Use the table below as a starting point and adjust based on activity level and condition.
Dry food portion table by weight and age
These are guidelines based on the average energy content of dry food (approximately 350–380 kcal per 100 g). Always check the label of your brand: higher calorie density means a smaller portion.
| Cat weight | Kitten (<12 months) | Adult (1–7 yrs) | Senior (7+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 45–55 g | 25–35 g | 20–30 g |
| 3 kg | 60–75 g | 35–45 g | 30–40 g |
| 4 kg | 75–95 g | 50–60 g | 40–50 g |
| 5 kg | 90–115 g | 60–75 g | 50–62 g |
| 6 kg | 105–130 g | 70–85 g | 58–72 g |
| 7 kg | — | 80–98 g | 66–82 g |
| 8 kg | — | 90–110 g | 74–90 g |
Neutered cats: After neutering, metabolism drops by 20–30%. Reduce the portion after neutering by 15–20% and monitor weight monthly.
Wet food portion table (tin or pouch)
Wet food contains 70–80% moisture and is less calorically concentrated than dry food.
| Cat weight | Wet food only (g/day) | Combined dry + wet food |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 120–150 g | 20 g dry + 80 g wet food |
| 4 kg | 150–190 g | 25 g dry + 100 g wet food |
| 5 kg | 185–230 g | 30 g dry + 120 g wet food |
| 6 kg | 220–270 g | 35 g dry + 145 g wet food |
How many meals per day?
- Kitten (up to 6 months): 3–4 meals per day
- Young adult (6–12 months): 3 meals per day
- Adult cat: 2–3 meals per day
- Senior cat: 2–3 smaller meals
Automatic portioning: why it works better
Handmatig afwegen werkt prima als je er de discipline voor hebt. Maar de meeste eigenaren schenken "op het oog" in, en dat oog is consistent te royaal. Een automatische voerbak programmeert je eenmalig de gewenste portie en geeft altijd exact hetzelfde.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams of dry food does a 4 kg cat eat per day?
My cat always asks for more food – is it not getting enough?
How much can an overweight cat eat per day?
Do I need to calculate wet and dry food separately?
Managing nutrition + hydration together
Good portioning takes care of nutrition. A water fountain ensures your cat drinks enough water alongside its dry food.
View water fountains →