Quick Answer
The recommended amount of wet cat food to feed an adult cat per day is one 3 ounce can. Kittens may need two to three 3 ounce cans per day because they need more calories and nutrients to support growth and development. Senior cats may only need half a 3 ounce can per day since their metabolism slows down with age. Always follow the feeding guidelines on your cat food labels.
How Much Wet Cat Food Does My Cat Need?
Cats have specific nutritional requirements that need to be met through their diet. Wet and dry cat foods have different nutrient profiles, so you need to feed a combination of both to ensure your cat’s needs are fully met. Here are some general daily feeding guidelines for wet cat food:
For Kittens
Kittens need more calories and nutrients than adult cats because they are growing rapidly. Feed kittens about 4-6 ounces of wet food per 5 pounds of body weight each day. So a 5 pound kitten would need 20-30 ounces or 2-3 three ounce cans. Split this into 3-4 meals throughout the day.
For Adult Cats
Most adult cats do well with 2-4 ounces of wet food per 5 pounds of body weight daily. For a 10 pound cat, feed 1 three ounce can or a little more. Feed adult cats 1-2 meals a day.
For Senior Cats
As cats age, their metabolism slows down and they become less active. They require fewer calories but still need nutrients. Feed senior cats around 2-3 ounces per 5 pounds of body weight daily. For a 10 pound senior cat, half a three ounce can per day is usually sufficient.
For Overweight/Obese Cats
Overweight cats need to eat fewer calories to lose weight. Consult with your vet, but cutting back to 1-2 ounces per 5 pounds of body weight per day is usually recommended. For a 15 pound overweight cat, feed just half a three ounce can per day.
For Nursing/Pregnant Queens
Nursing and pregnant cats need extra calories and nutrients. Feed queens free-choice while nursing, which means keeping food available at all times. Once kittens start eating solid food at 4-5 weeks, mom’s needs will decrease.
Factors That Determine How Much to Feed
Every cat is unique, so use these general guidelines as a starting point but adjust amounts for your individual cat. Here are some factors to consider:
Age
Kittens and seniors need different amounts than healthy adults. Kittens need more and seniors need less.
Size
The feeding guidelines are based on calories needed per pound of body weight. Larger cats need more food than smaller cats.
Activity Level
Active cats with access to the outdoors need more food than sedentary indoor cats. Adjust amounts based on activity.
Metabolism
Every cat has a different metabolic rate. Some cats are very easy keepers while others stay trim easily. Feed according to body condition.
Health Status
Ill cats, cats with dental disease, and those on medications may need their food adjusted. Always work with your vet.
Quality of Diet
Higher protein, lower carb diets are more nutrient dense so cats may need less food. poorer quality diets need fed in larger amounts.
Lifestyle Factors
Intact males and nursing/pregnant cats need more food. Obese cats, senior cats, and cats on prescription diets may need less.
Using Cat Food Feeding Charts
Most commercial cat food brands provide a feeding chart or table on their packaging or website. These give recommended feeding amounts based on body weight and life stage. Here’s an example:
| Cat Weight | Kitten Food (6-12 months) | Adult Cat Food | Mature Cat Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 1/2 – 2/3 cup | 1/3 – 1/2 cup | 1/4 – 1/3 cup |
| 10 lbs | 2/3 – 1 1/4 cups | 1/2 – 2/3 cup | 1/3 – 1/2 cup |
| 15 lbs | 1 – 1 2/3 cups | 2/3 – 1 cup | 1/2 – 2/3 cup |
These feeding charts give you a good starting point for how much to feed. But as mentioned, you may need to adjust up or down for your individual cat based on other factors. Use the guidelines only as a starting point.
Monitoring Your Cat’s Body Condition
The best way to fine tune your cat’s feeding amount is to monitor body condition. Here’s how:
Weigh Your Cat
Weigh your cat regularly on a scale at home. Weight loss or gain over time can indicate too little or too much food. Aim to maintain a stable ideal body weight.
Body Condition Scoring
Body condition scoring involves feeling your cat’s body by hand to determine fat covering. Use a 1-5 or 1-9 point scale. Ideal is typically 3/5 or 4-5/9. Higher means overweight, lower means underweight.
Waistline Check
View your cat from above. An hourglass shape with a tucked waist behind the ribs is ideal. A rotund belly signifies overweight.
Exam by Your Vet
Your vet will examine and assign a body condition score at annual wellness exams. Ask for their input on your cat’s diet.
Splitting Up Daily Portions
Now that you know roughly how much wet food to feed per day, you can split this up into the optimal number of meals. Here are some guidelines:
Kittens
Feed kittens small amounts 3-4 times daily. Their stomachs are small.
Adults
Most adult cats do well with split morning and evening feedings. Free-feed dry food for snacking.
Seniors
Small, frequent meals are best for older cats. 3-4 light meals daily helps prevent vomiting.
Grazers vs Gorgers
Grazers prefer to nibble throughout the day. Gorgers prefer set mealtimes. Adjust frequency based on preferences.
Overnight
It’s fine to leave dry food out at night so cats can self-regulate. Canned food left at room temp may spoil.
Wet Food Only Diets vs Wet and Dry Combination
Wet cat food has pros and cons compared to dry food. Using both together maximizes benefits. Here’s an overview:
Benefits of Only Feeding Wet Food
– Higher moisture content – helps prevent urinary tract diseases
– Often more palatable to cats
– Typically has fewer carbs and more animal protein
– Less dental tartar buildup
Downsides of Only Feeding Wet Food
– Risk of obesity if feeding ad lib due to high palatability
– Requires more frequent feedings throughout the day
– Risk of dehydration if not consuming enough water
– More expensive than dry food
– Risk of nutritional deficiencies if not rotated properly
Benefits of Combining Wet and Dry
– Balances out pros and cons of each type
– Dry kibble provides teeth cleaning
– Kibble can be left out to graze and wet fed at meals
– Provides dietary variety to prevent nutritional deficiencies
Typical Wet and Dry Combo Feeding
– Half of total daily calories from wet food, half from dry
– Wet food fed twice daily at mealtimes
– Dry kibble left out overnight and to free-feed during day
– Rotate wet food proteins and brands for variety
Tips For Transitioning Your Cat to Wet Food
If your cat is used to only eating dry kibble, here are some tips for transitioning to wet food:
Mix Foods Together
Gradually mix increasing amounts of wet food into your cat’s usual dry food. Over 2-3 weeks, transition to all wet food for meals.
Offer Separate Bowls
Put dry food in one bowl and wet food a few feet away in another. This allows free choice as your cat gets accustomed to the wet food.
Try Different Proteins and Flavors
Offer a variety of pates, shredded, minced, chunks in sauce, and gravy styles. Rotate proteins like chicken, turkey, beef, etc. Find irresistible flavors!
Warm the Food Slightly
Warming cans of wet food to body temperature can increase palatability. Gently microwave 5-10 seconds or run the can under warm water.
Hand Feed Small Amounts
Initially, hand feed your cat tiny amounts of wet food as treats to get them interested. Then keep this up to increase acceptance.
Add Nutritional Yeast or Catnip
Sprinkling tasty “flavor boosters” like nutritional yeast, parmesan cheese, or catnip can entice picky cats.
Be Patient!
It can take cats weeks to accept new foods. Stick with the transition process and offer variety until your cat eats wet food readily.
Canned vs. Pouched Wet Foods
Wet cat food comes in cans or pouches. Differences include:
Ingredients
– Canned food is around 78% moisture vs. 82% in pouches
– More protein-dense than canned
– Less room for chunky ingredients like veggies
Storage
– Unopened canned food keeps for 2-5 years vs. 18-24 months for pouches
– Opened canned food keeps for 7-10 days refrigerated vs. pouches losing freshness within hours
Cost
– Canned foods are usually cheaper than portioned pouches
– Pouches allow more precise portion control so less waste
Palatability
– Most cats prefer pouch foods over canned
– Pouches have thicker texture and stronger aroma
Convenience
– Canned ismessier and needs transferred to another dish
– Pouches allow easy pouring into bowl
Dental Health
– Neither form promotes much dental cleaning compared to crunchy kibbles
Environmental Impact
– Canned recyclable but uses more packaging overall
– Pouches not easily recyclable
Homemade Raw Cat Food Guide
Some cat owners prefer to make homemade raw cat food instead of feeding commercial canned options. Here are some tips if you want to feed a raw diet:
Benefits of Raw Feeding
– Mimics ancestral feline diet
– Moisture-rich for urinary tract health
– Typically grain-free
– Allows use of fresh, whole ingredients
Potential Risks of Raw Feeding
– Risk of bacterial or parasitic contamination
– Need to follow recipes carefully to meet nutritional needs
– Time consuming to prepare
– Can be expensive
Basic Raw Feeding Recipe
– 1 pound muscle meat (chicken, turkey, beef, rabbit, etc)
– 1 pound meaty bones like chicken wings or necks
– 1 egg yolk
– Liver or other secreting organ meat once weekly
– Cat safe fruits/veggies like carrots or blueberries
– Cat vitamin/mineral supplement powder
Food Safety Tips for Raw Feeding
– Handle raw meat carefully
– Thaw meats in the refrigerator not counter
– Wash hands, utensils, surfaces after preparing
– Freeze small batches for at least 3 days to kill bacteria
– Don’t feed raw diets to immunocompromised cats
Conclusion
The amount of wet cat food needed varies based on your cat’s unique characteristics like age, weight, and activity level. Use the general guidelines of around 2-4 ounces per 5 pounds of body weight as a starting point. Split this into 1-2 meals for adults or 3-4 meals for kittens and seniors. Monitor your cat’s body condition closely and adjust amounts accordingly. Pairing wet food with dry food can provide the ideal balance of nutrients and benefits. Make the transition gradually, and offer a variety of flavors and proteins to appeal to your cat’s preferences. With some patience, you can get even the pickiest cat eating and enjoying canned wet food as part of a healthy diet.
