Feeding a cat sounds simple, until you realise how much conflicting information is out there. Should you leave food down all day? Stick to set meal times? How do you know if they're getting too much, or not enough?
Portion control is one of the most important things you can do for your cat's long-term health. Getting it right reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, joint problems, and a shorter lifespan, and it's more straightforward than most owners realise.
Important note: the figures in this guide are general starting points. Cat food calorie density varies significantly between brands and formulas, and individual cats have different metabolic needs. Always check the feeding guidelines on your specific food's packaging and consult your vet for personalised advice, particularly for cats with health conditions, kittens, pregnant cats, or seniors.
How Cat Nutritional Needs Change With Age
- Kittens (under 12 months): Growing rapidly and need significantly more calories per kilogram of body weight than adult cats. Feed kitten-specific food, which has higher protein and fat content. Most vets recommend three to four small meals per day for young kittens.
- Adult cats (1–7 years): Nutritional needs stabilise. Most healthy adult cats do well on two meals per day. Total daily intake depends on their weight, activity level, and whether they're indoor-only or have outdoor access.
- Senior cats (7+ years): Metabolism slows, and muscle mass tends to decrease. Some seniors need fewer calories; others need more to maintain weight. Senior cats also benefit from more frequent smaller meals, which are easier to digest. A vet check every six months is worthwhile for senior cats.
A General Guide to Daily Portions (Dry Food)
As a rough starting point for an average healthy adult cat on standard dry food, verify this against your specific food brand's guidelines, as calorie density varies considerably
- 3 kg cat: approximately 50–65g of dry food per day
- 4 kg cat: approximately 65–80g of dry food per day
- 5 kg cat: approximately 80–100g of dry food per day
- 6 kg cat: approximately 95–115g of dry food per day
These figures are approximate starting points only. Adjust based on your cat's body condition, activity level, and your vet's guidance. If you're feeding a combination of wet and dry food, reduce the dry food portion accordingly.
How to Check If Your Cat Is the Right Weight
The rib test is a reliable at-home check: run your fingertips along your cat's ribcage. You should be able to feel the individual ribs easily without pressing hard, but not be able to see them clearly from a distance. If you can't feel the ribs at all, your cat is likely overweight. If ribs are very prominent, they may be underweight.
Looking from above, a healthy cat should have a visible waist — a slight inward curve between the ribs and hips. Looking from the side, the abdomen should tuck up slightly, not hang down.
If you're unsure, your vet can give your cat an official Body Condition Score (BCS) during a routine check — this is a standardised 1–9 scale that takes the guesswork out of weight assessment.
Free Feeding vs Scheduled Meals
- Free feeding: leaving food down all day — works well for some cats, particularly those who naturally self-regulate. However, many cats will simply eat whenever food is available, regardless of hunger, which is a common path to gradual weight gain.
- Scheduled meals: two to four set mealtimes per day — give you control over exactly how much your cat is consuming and make it easier to monitor their appetite (a change in appetite is often the first indicator of illness).
Scheduled feeding also means you can distribute the same total daily amount across multiple smaller meals, which supports digestion and keeps hunger at bay between meals.
How an Automatic Feeder Makes Portion Control Effortless
The PetNex Automatic Pet Feeder allows you to programme exact portion sizes and meal times directly from your phone. You set the total daily amount once, divide it across as many meals as you choose, and the feeder handles the rest — whether you're at home, at work, or on holiday.
The built-in HD camera lets you check in on your cat at mealtimes, and the app shows you feeding history so you can monitor whether your cat is eating normally. If your cat starts skipping meals, which can be an early health indicator, you'll notice it immediately.
PetNex Tip: Weigh your cat once a month and log the number. Small changes in either direction over several months are easier to catch when you're tracking regularly, and much easier to address before they become significant.
Consistent, appropriate portions are one of the greatest gifts you can give your cat. It takes a little setup, but the long-term health benefits and the vet bills you'll avoid make it entirely worthwhile.
Ready to find the right one? Browse the PetNex Smart Feeder range at petnex.com.au — with options from $156 to $225, there is a feeder suited to every pet and lifestyle.