Daily Calories
261 kcal
Dry Food
0.75 cups
Wet Cans
1.0
Adult (1–10 years)
Daily Calorie Needs
261
kcal per day
Dry Food
0.75 cups
~350 kcal/cup
Wet Food
1.0 cans
5.5 oz cans
Protein Target
24g
Feeding
2 meals per day
Inputs
Result
A 10-lb (4.54 kg) neutered indoor cat: RER = 70 × 4.54^0.75 = 187 kcal. MER = 187 × 1.2 (neutered) = 224 kcal/day, about 2/3 cup of dry food.
Inputs
Result
A 5-lb (2.27 kg) intact kitten: RER = 70 × 2.27^0.75 = 110 kcal. MER = 110 × 2.5 (intact kitten) = 275 kcal/day to fuel rapid growth.
Inputs
Result
A 14-lb (6.35 kg) overweight senior: RER = 70 × 6.35^0.75 = 287 kcal. With overweight (1.0) × senior consideration = lower MER, yielding ~237 kcal/day for gradual weight loss.
An average 10-pound adult indoor cat needs about 200-250 calories per day. The exact amount depends on age, activity level, body condition, and whether the cat is spayed or neutered. Kittens need roughly double the calories per pound compared to adults.
| Cat Weight | RER (kcal) | Indoor Neutered | Outdoor Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 lbs | 130 | 156 kcal | 227 kcal |
| 8 lbs | 160 | 192 kcal | 280 kcal |
| 10 lbs | 187 | 224 kcal | 327 kcal |
| 12 lbs | 212 | 255 kcal | 372 kcal |
| 15 lbs | 249 | 299 kcal | 436 kcal |
The Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula for cats is 70 multiplied by body weight in kilograms raised to the 0.75 power: RER = 70 × (kg)^0.75. This calculates base metabolic needs at rest, which is then multiplied by a lifestyle factor to get the Maintenance Energy Requirement.
Most dry cat foods contain 300-400 calories per cup. An average 10-pound neutered indoor cat eating 350 kcal/cup food needs about 0.64 cups (roughly 2/3 cup) per day, split into 2 meals. Always check your specific food label for exact calorie content.
Yes, spaying or neutering reduces a cat's metabolic rate by approximately 15-25%. A neutered adult cat uses a multiplier of 1.2 versus 1.4 for intact cats. This means a 10-pound neutered cat needs about 224 calories versus 262 for an intact cat.
Adult cats should be fed 2 meals per day, approximately 12 hours apart. Kittens need 3-4 smaller meals. Senior cats may benefit from 2-3 smaller meals to aid digestion. Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) often leads to overeating and obesity.
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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