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How Much Cat Food Should I Give My Cat?
The right amount of cat food is essential for a healthy and active life. Getting it wrong can lead to obesity, which is associated with a range of health issues including diabetes, arthritis, and urinary tract disease.
Luckily, there are some tips that can help you figure out how much to feed your cat. First, you should know what is recommended for your pet’s age and activity level, says Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University.
You also need to know how much your cat weighs. A 12-pound cat needs about 250 calories a day to be in good shape. A cat that weighs more than this is considered overweight or obese and should be on a diet to keep it at an ideal weight.
To calculate how much your cat should eat, divide the number of calories it requires by the number of calories per gram of the food it’s eating. For instance, a bag of Meow Mix that weighs 137 grams has 300 calories per cup, so a 12-pound cat can eat about 178 calories a day from the meal.
Calorie counts are a great way to measure how much your cat is actually eating, but if you’re not sure about how many calories a food has or if it’s the correct amount for your pet, you should ask a veterinarian or animal nutritionist.
The best way to get a precise measurement is to use a digital scale that can weigh in grams, says Bartges of WebMD. You can use your own scale or find one at a pet store. If you have a digital scale, make sure to set it to weigh in grams before you start measuring out your food, so you’ll get an accurate reading.
Once you have the calorie count, it’s simple to work out how many meals your cat should eat throughout the day and how much of it you should give them. Ideally, your cat will eat a light meal every 6-8 hours so they don’t go long periods without eating.
Your cat will still need some energy to run around, hunt and play. That’s why it’s important to feed them a variety of foods at different times of the day.
For example, a kitty that loves to hunt may have more energy needs than a kitty who prefers to sleep all day. A kitty that lives outside may have a higher calorie need in colder weather than a kitty who lives inside.
You can also use the calorie calculator on the back of your cat’s food bag, which will tell you how much to feed your cat each day. This is a good starting point, but you’ll need to adjust the calorie amount as your cat’s condition changes or if he’s overweight.
Your veterinarian or animal nutritionist will be able to determine your cat’s calorie needs based on their age, activity levels and weight. In addition, your veterinarian will be able to recommend the best type of cat food for your pet’s unique needs and lifestyle.