All cats have individual dietary needs based on their breed, size, age, and health condition. Being notoriously picky eaters, finding the right food for them is only half the battle. Feeding your cats the appropriate amount is an important aspect of their diet. Obesity in cats comes with a long list of serious health problems, so maintaining their weight in appropriate portions of food is key to keeping them at a healthy weight for the long term. In general, an average indoor cat should have about 20 calories of food for every pound of body weight.
How Many Calories Do Cats Need?
Although every cat is different, there are some general guidelines for an indoor cat’s calorie consumption. Vets use calculations based on your cats resting energy requirements (RER) and factor in additional needs such as life stage and activity levels.
There are helpful calorie calculators that can take the guesswork out of it for you and put you at a good starting point.
Weight Maintenance
If you’re trying to maintain their weight, the average cat should have about 20 calories of food for every pound of body weight. If you have an outdoor cat, they need about 35 calories for every pound of body weight. Indoor/outdoor cats usually come in somewhere between the 20 and 35 calorie mark.
With that said, an indoor cat should eat about 200 calories per day if they weigh 10 pounds. If they weigh 15 pounds, they can consume about 300 calories per day.
Weight Loss
Some of us have overweight cats. Fortunately, their food consumption is within our control. For overweight cats, you’ll want to feed them 2 pounds less, or about 40 fewer calories, each day. You will need to readjust this number every time your cat loses a pound until they reach a healthy weight. From there, you can give them maintenance calories.
Many veterinary clinics have weight loss programs to help support and guide you on this journey.
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Metabolism of a Cat
While these calories are a good guideline for cats, there are some key factors that also need to be considered. Not all cats can eat 20 calories per pound of body weight simply because their metabolism is faster or slower than the average cat. If you are putting your cat on a diet and they are not losing weight, you may need to lower the number of calories they consume even more. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet plan.
Foods Cats Should Eat for Weight Maintenance
Just like the foods we eat, there are some cat foods that are better for their bodies than others. The trick is to find a food that your cat enjoys eating but fills them up at the same time.
meat
Cats are carnivores, and almost all of their food must come from meat-based protein. They are not omnivores like dogs. Cats do not need grains, fruits, and vegetables to live a healthy life. Sure, they can add some nutritional value to their diets, but they aren’t necessary for survival.
Fats
If you’ve tried eating a low-fat diet for a long time, you understand what it’s like to be hungry all the time. The same is true for cats. They have a requirement for moderate levels of fat in their diets, with 9% on a dry matter basis as a minimum standard. With that said, there is such a thing as excess fat. Excess fat in the diet that is not burned as energy will lead to weight gain.
Fiber
Fiber is important for promoting good digestion and utilization of food calories. It also prevents your cats from feeling hungry too often. However, it is sometimes difficult to find meat-based cat foods with high fiber levels. The safest way to get fiber into your cat’s diet is with a higher-fiber food recommended by your veterinarian. You can also try supplements but monitor for digestive upset.
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Conclusion
Determining how many calories your feline friend needs is simple once you wrap your head around the equation. Of course, you should always check with your vet to make sure they are eating the appropriate amount of food before making any changes to their diet. They can provide you with the best guidance for appropriately feeding your beloved pet and keeping it healthy for years to come.
