How much wet food should a cat eat per day?

A rough starting point is about one 3 oz can per 3 to 3.5 lb of body weight per day, adjusted for activity and whether you also feed dry. Always check the calories on the label, as foods vary a lot.

Should I free-feed my cat?

Free-feeding dry food is convenient but a common cause of feline obesity. Measured meals at set times give you control and let you notice changes in appetite early.

Feeding

How much should you feed a cat?

Q: How many times a day should I feed a cat?

Twice a day suits most adult cats. Some do well with small, frequent meals via a timed feeder. Kittens under six months need three to four meals daily.

Short version: most adult cats need somewhere around 200–300 calories a day, usually one to two cans of wet food, or a measured portion of dry, split into two meals. The longer version involves your cat telling you, with total conviction, that none of this has happened.

Last updated 9 June 2026 · 5 min read

Not veterinary advice. These are general starting points. Kittens, seniors, and cats with health conditions (or on a diet plan) should be fed to your vet's guidance.

The honest cat feeding chart

Cat food calories vary wildly by brand, so treat cups and cans as a starting point and check the label. As a general guide for healthy adult cats:

Weight	Daily calories	Wet food (3 oz cans)
3.5 kg / 8 lb	~210 kcal	~2 cans
4.5 kg / 10 lb	~250 kcal	~2.5 cans
5.5 kg / 12 lb	~280 kcal	~3 cans
6.5 kg / 14 lb	~310 kcal	~3 cans

Feeding dry too? It's calorie-dense, so a little goes a long way. Subtract dry calories from the wet total rather than adding a free pile on top.

Kitten portions by age

8–16 weeks: 3–4 small meals a day; kittens burn energy like tiny furry furnaces
4–6 months: 3 meals a day
6–12 months: 2 meals a day, transitioning toward adult portions

The 3 a.m. negotiation

Here is the single most important fact in cat nutrition: your cat is not hungry. Your cat is a performer. At 3 a.m. she will stand on your chest and perform a one-act play titled "I Have Never Once Been Fed." She has been fed. You both know she has been fed. The performance continues regardless.

The fix isn't more food. It's a consistent schedule (so the begging has no payoff) and, crucially, a way for everyone in the house to know she's already eaten so nobody falls for the encore.

When to adjust

Can't feel the ribs under a light layer? Trim ~10% and recheck in two weeks.
Ribs and spine too prominent? Add ~10%.
Indoor and sleepy? Lower end of the chart. Cats are professional nappers.
Treats count. Keep them under 10% of daily calories.

Frequently asked questions

How many times a day should I feed a cat?

Twice a day suits most adults; kittens under six months need three to four meals.

How much wet food per day?

Roughly one 3 oz can per 3–3.5 lb of body weight, adjusted for activity and any dry food. Check the label calories.

Is my cat actually starving at 3 a.m.?

No. Your cat is doing improv. Hold the line.

Got a Maine Coon, a Siamese or something in between? Our cat breed guides have size-specific notes, and our double-feeding piece applies to cats too (they're just sneakier about it).

Outsmart the 3 a.m. con

Petsify keeps one shared feeding log for the whole house, so everyone knows the cat has eaten — no matter how convincing her performance.

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