Every number here comes from NRC & WSAVA methods and is published as open data (CC BY 4.0). See how we check our numbers →
A neutered indoor cat of typical activity needs 1.2 × resting energy a day — at 3,800 kcal/kg dry food that is 0.50 cups (63 g) for a 4 kg cat, 0.59 cups (74 g) for 5 kg, and about 0.40 cups (50 g) for a small 3 kg cat. Note how small these look: a cup of cat food carries about 475 kcal, so half a cup is a full day for most cats.
This is the reference-table version of the cat portion calculator — useful if you want to see the whole range at once, or you feed the same scoop every day and want to know what it should look like.
| Cat weight | Daily kcal | Dry food (cups) | Dry food (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 191 kcal | 0.40 cups | 50 g |
| 4 kg | 238 kcal | 0.50 cups | 63 g |
| 5 kg | 281 kcal | 0.59 cups | 74 g |
| 6 kg | 322 kcal | 0.68 cups | 85 g |
| 7 kg | 361 kcal | 0.76 cups | 95 g |
Assumes a dry food at 3,800 kcal/kg (a common adult cat food) and 125 g per cup — cat kibble is denser than dog kibble, which usually runs 120–130 g per cup. Daily energy is 70 × kg0.75 × 1.2. An inactive indoor cat uses about 1.0× and an active or outdoor cat about 1.4× — so a 5 kg cat ranges from roughly 0.49 to 0.69 cups depending on lifestyle.
Cats eat far less than their size suggests. A 5 kg cat needs about 281 kcal a day; a 5 kg dog needs about 374. And because cat kibble is dense, a measured cup holds a lot of energy — about 475 kcal. That combination is why "a scoop twice a day" is often too much for an indoor cat, and why free-feeding cats put weight on so quietly.
Most cats do better on two or more small meals than one large one. Half a cup becomes two quarter-cup meals, or four eighths for a cat that begs. Using the same scoop every time is the single most reliable way to keep the amount right — see measuring without a scale for the techniques (they apply to cat food too).
My cat free-feeds. How do I use this? Weigh the bowl once a week. If food disappears faster than the table predicts, the true daily amount is higher than you think.
Is this the same as a "cup" on the bag? Only if your scoop is a true 8 oz measuring cup. Most scoops in cat food bags are not — weigh one level scoop to check.
How do I know if the portion is right? Body condition, not the scale — see cat body condition score. Adjust by about 10% if your cat is drifting, and re-check monthly.
What about wet food? A pouch or can is far fewer calories per gram. See wet vs dry cat food and how much wet food to feed a cat.
Cat portion calculator → · Cat calorie needs → · How long a bag lasts → · Calories per cup →