Important
This tool gives a starting estimate for healthy adult cats. Kittens, older cats, pregnant or lactating cats, cats with medical conditions, and cats being managed for weight have different requirements. Work with your vet for those.
Your cat
The food
Only products that publish kcal/kg are shown (129 of 212 products).
Food 1
Daily requirement
Select a food above to see the daily feeding estimate.
The formula
This tool uses the standard two-step formula from veterinary nutrition. Resting Energy Requirement is calculated as 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75, then multiplied by an activity factor to give Maintenance Energy Requirement: 1.2 for inactive indoor cats, 1.4 for typical adults, 1.6 for active or outdoor cats.
When you mix foods, the daily calorie target splits between them by the percentage you set. Each food's gram amount is then calculated from its published energy density (kcal per kg).
What this tool does not do
- Weight management. Weight loss and weight gain plans use different multipliers and should be vet-supervised to avoid hepatic lipidosis in cats losing weight too quickly.
- Treats and extras. The calculation assumes the foods selected are the sole diet. Treats, table scraps, and supplements add calories that should be subtracted from the main meals.
- Individual variation. Two cats the same weight and activity level can have meaningfully different energy needs, so treat the result as a starting point and check it against your cat's body condition. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist behind the ribs when looking down from above. If you cannot feel the ribs, feed a little less; if they stand out sharply, feed a little more. The WSAVA nine-point cat body condition chart shows what each score looks like.
Data and related tools
The only product data this calculator uses is energy density (kcal per kg), sourced from Australian retailer listings, brand websites, and physical packaging photos. Products without a published kcal/kg value are excluded. Formulations change, so always verify against the label on the product you intend to buy.
To compare protein and fat between products after stripping out moisture, see the DMB calculator.
Sources
- National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The Resting Energy Requirement formula and activity multipliers used on this page derive from NRC standards.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Global Nutrition Guidelines: Nutritional Assessment Checklist. Provides the activity factor ranges used in veterinary clinical practice.
- Baldwin K, Bartges J, Buffington T, et al. (2010). AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 46(4): 285-296.
Without limiting our Terms, ingredients and product information listed here require independent verification. Information on this page is sourced from publicly available sources and while we take reasonable care to verify accuracy, we do not warrant that it is complete, current, or error-free. Nothing on kibbleguide.com.au constitutes veterinary or nutritional advice. Consult a qualified veterinarian for guidance specific to your pet. See our Terms of Use for full details.