Cat Calorie Calculator

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Calculate your cat's daily calorie needs for maintenance, weight loss, or growth.

Cat Profile

Body Weight

Unit

Life Stage & Activity

Daily Requirement (DER)

260kcal

Daily Calories

Maintenance Energy Requirement

Resting Energy216kcal

Activity Factor1.2x

Life Stage Comparison

Comparison of daily calorie needs for a 4.5kg cat.

About this calculator

How it Works

The energy a cat needs is calculated in two steps. First, we determine the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) — the calories needed for basic life functions. Then, we apply an activity multiplier (Maintenance Energy Requirement) based on your cat's specific life stage and lifestyle.

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Pro Tips

House cats are 'grazers' but free-feeding is the #1 cause of obesity.
Use puzzle feeders to mimic hunting behavior and slow down eating.
Obligate Carnivores: Cats MUST eat meat to get essential Taurine.
Wet food helps prevent kidney disease by increasing moisture intake.

Fun Facts

"Cats have no biological requirement for carbohydrates and lack the 'sweet' taste buds that humans have."
"A domestic cat's whiskers are sensitive enough to detect minute air currents, helping them 'see' in the dark."
"If a cat pulls food out of its bowl, the bowl might be too deep, causing 'Whisker Fatigue' or stress."
"The domestic cat's desert ancestors mean they have a naturally low thirst drive and concentrated urine."
"Lactating queens can require up to 4x their maintenance energy to support a large litter of kittens."

Formula: DER = [70 × (Weight in kg)^0.75] × Activity Factor