Feeding your cat wet food is a great choice for its overall health. Wet food, which is usually 75% to 80% water, caters to cats’ natural thirst. If you prefer wet food over dry kibble, you are significantly reducing your cat’s risk of bladder and kidney problems.
However, the challenge here is: what are your cat’s individual needs? Cats have a completely different metabolism from humans, and they require specific proteins and fats to maintain their body composition.
Therefore, the answer to “how much to feed” is not just a number, but a complete plan that you need to determine based on your cat’s daily activities. Intro
2 Factors that decide how much wet food to feed a cat
What is included in the wet food (Meat vs. Fillers)
The “Ingredients List” on the back of any wet food package is your first weapon. Animal protein should be listed first in cat food, such as ‘chicken’ or ‘chicken meal.’
If ‘corn, wheat’ or ‘fillers’ are listed first, it means the food is substandard for your cat’s needs. Remember, cats’ digestive systems are not designed to break down vegetables or carbohydrates.
When you feed a high-quality meat-based food, your cat gets more nutrients in a smaller amount. If your food is full of vegetables, your cat will have to eat more to fill up, which can lead to unnecessary weight gain and prevent it from getting the protein it needs. Always choose a food that has more than 40% meat protein.
Calories, what are the calories of that included food
Calories are the fuel that keeps your cat alive. If you give her more calories than she needs, she will turn into fat, and if you give her fewer, she will become weak. The calories in each brand of wet food vary.
For example, a can of ‘pate’ format has more calories, while ‘broth’ format foods have fewer calories. You will need to look for “Metabolizable Energy (ME)” on the can label.
It will say “kcal per can”. This is the important number that you need to match to your cat’s daily total. Remember, an 85g can of a ‘premium’ brand can have as many calories as a 150g can of a regular brand. So, never just look at the ‘quantity’ (grams or number of cans), always base your decision on ‘calories’.
Other factors to combine with the above 2 factors
You need to create a ‘calorie budget’ for your cat, which takes into account the following factors:
Age: Kittens should eat every 3-4 hours because their stomachs are small and they need a lot of energy to grow. In contrast, senior cats are less active, so they need a 20-30% reduction in calories to avoid obesity.
Health: If a cat has a disease, its body’s ability to absorb calories changes. For example, cats with diabetes should avoid excessive carbohydrates, while cats with kidney disease should eat a low-phosphorus diet. Veterinary advice is most important here.
Weight and body condition: Weight (kg) alone is not enough, you should look at the ‘body condition score’ If your cat’s ribs are easily palpable, they are fine, but if they have a layer of fat on them, they need fewer calories immediately.
Cat Activity: A lazy indoor cat needs about 20% fewer calories than an outdoor cat.
How much wet food should a cat eat a day?
How many times a day should a cat be fed? This is also an important question. It is best to feed cats older than 6 months 2 to 3 times a day.
Do not leave wet food in the bowl, as it spoils quickly. If your cat cleans the bowl after eating and looks around for 10-15 minutes, it means that the amount is right. If she saves it, reduce the amount next time.
Here is a step-by-step guide to deciding how much wet food a cat needs per day!
Step 1: Weigh your cat
Step 2: Multiply its weight by 40-50 (kcal). (This is an average.
Step 3: Now look at the back of the can to see how many calories are in a can.
Step 4: Divide your calorie needs by the calories in the can, and you will get the number of cans per day.
How much wet food to feed a cat char
| Cat Weight | Daily Calories Needed | Wet Food (Approx.) |
| 2 kg | 140–160 kcal | 1 can (85 g) + a little extra |
| 3 kg | 180–200 kcal | 1.5–2 cans (85 g) |
| 4 kg | 220–250 kcal | 2–2.5 cans (85 g) |
| 5 kg | 260–300 kcal | 2.5–3 cans (85 g) |
| 6 kg or more | 320+ kcal | 3–3.5 cans (85 g) |
Final Conclusion: How much wet food to feed a cat?
Make the final decision on how much food to feed your cat with these 3 steps
- Look at the back of your cat’s food can to see how many calories (kcal) it contains. Then use the chart to determine the calories your cat needs based on its weight
- Stick to this amount for the first week. Weigh your cat once a week. If she’s gaining weight, reduce the calories by 10%; if she’s losing weight, increase them by 10%.
- Instead of feeding your cat a lot at once, divide it into 2 to 3 smaller meals. This will keep her digestion and energy levels stable.
Remember: No chart is better than your cat’s actual behavior. Don’t force-feed her if she’s leaving food in the bowl, and if she’s still meowing after licking the bowl, have her “body condition” checked by your vet.
Is your cat generally lethargic or playful? Knowing this will help me give you more accurate advice.