Feeding your cat the right amount of food is one of the most important parts of keeping her healthy. Too much food can lead to overweight and health problems, while too little food may cause weakness and illness. The right balance is not always easy to find because every cat is different.

In this article you will learn what influences the food amount, how much dry and wet food cats usually need and how you can calculate the calorie needs of your pet.

This guide focuses on indoor cats, as most cats in Dubai and the UAE live inside due to the hot climate. Their food needs are usually lower than those of outdoor cats, and careful portioning is especially important.

What Influences How Much a Cat Eats

The amount of food depends on several factors:

• Weight and size: larger cats need more food than smaller ones.
• Age: kittens eat more for growth, senior cats often need less.
• Activity level: outdoor cats burn more calories than indoor cats.
• Lifestyle: indoor cats usually move less.
• Special needs: pregnant, nursing, or sick cats need extra attention.

Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats in Dubai

In Dubai most cats live indoors, as the hot weather makes outdoor life difficult. Indoor cats move less and therefore need smaller, well-measured portions to avoid gaining weight. Play and activity at home are important to keep them healthy.

Outdoor cats are rare (besides stray cats), but if they do roam, they need constant access to fresh water and may eat better in the cooler morning and evening hours. The heat can reduce their appetite, so adjusting feeding times helps.

Dry Food: Daily Amount

Dry food is energy rich and cats need smaller portions of it. An average cat with four kilos body weight should receive about 35 to 70 grams per day. Smaller cats with around two kilos need 20 to 40 grams, while large cats of eight kilos may require up to 115 grams daily.

Wet Food: Daily Amount

Wet food contains much more water and is usually eaten in larger quantities. A four kilo cat needs about 210 to 300 grams per day. At two kilos the portion is smaller with 80 to 160 grams, while a big cat of eight kilos may eat over 300 grams daily. These values are guidelines and should be adjusted if your cat gains or loses weight.

An average 4 kg cat usually eats around 210–300 g of wet food per day.

How to Calculate the Calorie Needs

You can also calculate your cat’s energy need with a simple formula:

Body weight (kg) ^ 0.67 × 100 = daily kilocalories

Example: a four kilo cat needs about 253 kcal per day. On the food packaging you will find how many calories the product contains per 100 grams or per kilo. This helps you to work out the right portion size.

How Often Should Cats Eat

Cats are hunters by nature and would normally catch several small prey animals throughout the day. A single mouse provides only a small amount of energy, so wild cats eat little but often. This natural behaviour is still present in house cats.

Because of that it is best to split the daily food ration into several meals instead of just one or two. Adult cats usually do well with three to five meals per day. Kittens, with their higher energy needs, should eat more frequently, while older cats can often manage with fewer feedings depending on their health.

Wet food should always be served fresh, while dry food can stay in the bowl longer as long as your cat does not tend to overeat.

Common Feeding Mistakes

Some mistakes happen very often:

• Too many treats, which are full of calories and cause overweight.
• Human food, which cats often cannot digest and which can be dangerous.
• Estimating portions instead of measuring them, leading to overfeeding.

What Nutrients Are Important

Cats are carnivores. Their diet must be rich in:

• Protein from meat and fish
• Fat as the main energy source
• Vitamins and minerals, especially taurine and calcium

Carbohydrates should only play a small role. A good complete food normally covers all nutritional needs and is the safest option.

Practical Tips

To make daily feeding easier you can use a measuring cup to portion the food exactly. Many owners combine wet and dry food to give their cat both hydration and energy. Because cats often drink too little, you should always provide fresh water.

A drinking fountain or several bowls placed around the home can encourage them to drink more. It is also helpful to weigh your cat regularly so you can react quickly to changes.

Further Information: How much should cats drink?

Conclusion

The right amount of food always depends on the individual cat. Weight, age and activity level play the biggest roles. Feeding tables and calorie formulas are useful guides, but the most important thing is to observe your cat. If you are unsure, your vet can help. A well-balanced diet in the right quantity will keep your cat healthy, playful and happy for many years.