How do I know how many calories are in my cat food?

Look for 'caloric content' on the packaging or the manufacturer's website. Pet food sold in the US is required to provide this information. It's typically expressed in kcal per kilogram and kcal per cup (dry food) or kcal per can (wet food).

How much wet food should I feed my cat per day?

It depends on the calorie density of the specific food and your cat's daily calorie target. A typical pâté contains roughly 80–100 kcal per 100g. For a 4 kg indoor cat needing around 200 kcal/day, that's approximately 200–250g of a standard pâté per day, split across meals.

Is a measuring cup accurate enough for cat food portions?

A level measuring cup is better than eyeballing, but a kitchen scale is more accurate, especially for dry food where packing density varies. If precision matters -- for weight loss or weight management -- a scale is worth using.

Can I mix wet and dry food in the same day?

Yes -- just calculate the calorie contribution of each food type separately and make sure the combined daily total matches your cat's target. Don't add a full wet meal on top of a full dry portion without reducing somewhere.

My cat always seems hungry after meals. Is the portion too small?

Cats are often behaviorally hungry even when calorically satisfied -- particularly if they were previously free-fed or accustomed to larger portions. If your cat's weight is stable or slightly decreasing on the current portion, the amount is likely appropriate. Consistent begging that persists beyond 2–3 weeks after a portion change, alongside continued weight loss, is worth discussing with your vet.

Cat Portion Size Guide | PetCalculator

Measuring cat portions accurately is one of the simplest things you can do to prevent overfeeding. Here's how to do it right for both dry and wet food.