Obesity is one of the biggest problems that house cats face.

With obesity comes a lot of different medical issues that can significantly reduce your cat’s lifespan and cause her pain and discomfort. 

In this blog post, I would like to share the ideal daily caloric intake for cats. 

Keep in mind that these are just estimates. Consult your vet to know exactly how many calories your cat should have in a day. 

A Quick Overlook: Daily Caloric Intake

Did you know that about 58% of cats in the United States are overweight?

Being overweight brings with it some serious health conditions such as heart issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, cancer, etc. So, it is important for a cat to be within a healthy weight range.

All these issues can simply be avoided if your kitty is in the right weight range.

Domestic cats mostly weigh between 8 to 10 pounds, while Persian cats have a weight range of 7-12 lbs and Maine Coons have an ideal range of 10-15 pounds.

For cats that have problems with weight, you need to know the exact number of calories a cat needs to maintain the ideal weight. Your vet can provide you with an accurate number. However, following is the general range:

  • Kittens need up to 275 kcals per day
  • Adult cats need up to 200-300 kcals per day
  • Overweight cats also need 180-200 kcals per day
  • Senior cats need up to 200-250 kcals per day
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    Keep in mind that the calories mentioned above are just an estimate. The actual number depends on the cat’s health, age, level of activity, etc.

    Do you have questions? Leave them in the comments, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. 

    2 Responses

    1. Hello, I have a female tabby cat that is rather over weight. Kitty is about 7 or 8 years of age, and because of my current living arrangement, she and my other two ‘normal’ weight girls are confined to my bedroom while I’m away at work. 😢 I leave their 3 food dishes topped off with food and of course plenty of water and a clean potty box. My question is how can I limit Kitty’s food intake when I have her sisters who need to eat as well while I am away? I thought of feeding them their dry cat food in the morning before I leave and picking their bowls up so there is no free range of food while I’m gone. The problem is sometimes I’m required to work a double shift, and that puts me home very late at night!
      I don’t know what to do! Kitty is reaching basketball size and I love her and her sisters dearly!

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