How Much Dry Food Should You Feed Your Cat?

Understanding Your Cat’s Nutritional Needs 

One of the first things to understand about your cat is that they must have protein to live their best life. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can’t satisfy their nutritional needs by eating plants or other non-meat foods (such as fungi). 

This is why cat food is the best option for your feline friend — it’s nutritionally complete and balanced for cats’ specific dietary needs. Other types of pet food (e.g., dog food) don’t contain the same levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals that dry or wet cat food has to offer. 

In addition to cat-specific food, cats can handle small amounts of cooked lean meats (e.g., chicken, beef, or tuna) as well as very small amounts of cooked veggies (e.g., green beans or carrots). 

If you choose to supplement their diet with these options, follow these tips: 

And, lastly, remember that as long as your cat is getting plenty of protein in their cat food, giving them cooked lean meats and plant-based foods is unnecessary. 

Age 

Age is one of the biggest factors that determines how much dry food to feed a cat. Each stage in a cat’s life — from kitten to adult to senior — requires a different feeding routine. 

You can find age-based feeding guidelines on cat food nutrition labels, but talk to your vet to find out how much dry cat food to feed your feline friend if you’re unsure. 

Weight 

Just like humans, not all cats are the same size or shape, but each has an ideal body weight that you want to do your best to help them maintain. 

Feeding your feline friend the right amount of high-quality dry cat food goes a long way toward preventing them from becoming overweight or underweight (both of which could cause health problems). 

The best way to determine the right weight for your cat is to get them checked out by a vet. The vet will be able to tell you the ideal body condition for your cat and give you guidance on how much dry food to feed your cat based on their weight, age, and other factors. 

Activity Level 

A cat that’s constantly on the move will need more food than a cat that naps all day. 

If your cat likes to run, jump, and explore, consider increasing the amount of food you feed them. On the other hand, if your cat likes to curl up in a sunbeam for long stretches of time, consider reducing the amount of food you feed them. 

And, don’t forget to mention how active — or inactive — your cat is during their checkups, so the vet has all the information they need to determine the right amount of food to give your cat. 

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Generally, cats that live indoors will typically need less food than cats that live outdoors. But this isn’t always the case since, as we mentioned, age, weight, and activity level also play a big role in how much dry food your cat needs to stay healthy and in their ideal condition. 

The first thing you’ll want to do when trying to determine how much dry food to feed your cat is read the label on the food and use the recommendations there as a starting point. 

For example, if you’re feeding your furry friend TEMPTATIONS™ Adult Dry Cat Food, these are the recommendations: 

Cats up to 4 pounds: ¼ to ⅓ cup per day 

Cats 5 to 8 pounds: ½ to ⅔ cup per day 

Cats 9 to 12 pounds: ⅔ to ¾ cup per day 

Cats 13 to 16 pounds: ¾ to 1 cup per day 

Cats 17 to 22 pounds: 1 to 1 ¼ cup per day 

Keep in mind that these are just suggestions and should be considered in combination with advice from your cat’s vet. 

Focus on Quality

One of the best things you can do for your cat is focus on feeding them quality over quantity. In many cases, your feline friend doesn’t need more food; they need better food. 

Be sure to read the label of the food you choose and make sure high-quality protein (not fillers) from chicken, seafood, or beef is the first ingredient on the list.  

TEMPTATIONS™ Adult Dry Cat Food in Block Party BBQ, Seafood Medley, Tasty Chicken, and Tempting Tuna & Chicken flavors, provide your feline friend with the perfect balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep their immune system strong and their fur shiny. 

Establish a Schedule 

Cats need to be on a feeding schedule to be their best selves. Consider establishing a schedule and giving your cat a specific amount of dry cat food at different times throughout the day. 

For example, a cat that weighs 13 to 16 pounds needs about one cup of dry cat food per day. Divide that amount into three meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and give your cat ⅓ cup of food each time. 

Between meals, reward your cat with TEMPTATIONS™ treats to show them how much you love them. 

Choose the Right Feeding Dish 

Cat whiskers are very sensitive, so they may not like putting their face in a deep or narrow bowl. To make mealtime more pleasant for your four-legged friend, put their food in a wide, shallow bowl or on a flat plate. 

This makes it easier for your kitty to get their mouth close to the food without pushing on their whiskers. 

Provide Fresh Water 

It’s important to provide fresh, clean water for your cat to drink. For indoor cats, you can change their water once a day and wash the bowl every other day to prevent bacteria growth. 

For outdoor cats, you may need to change their water more often because of the dirt and debris that can fall into the bowl, and you may need to wash their bowl more often. 

Try Mixing Dry and Wet Food 

While dry cat food provides your feline friend with 100% complete and balanced nutrition, it can be beneficial to mix dry food and wet food as a treat for your cat.  

Wet cat food contains plenty of high-quality protein (just like dry cat food), but it also provides extra moisture to keep your cat hydrated. 

For information about how to mix your cat’s dry and wet food, check out this article from the TEMPTATIONS™ blog: How Much Wet Food Should You Feed Your Cat? 

Feed for Your Cat’s Ideal Body Condition 

Every cat is different and may be heavier or lighter than other members of their breed. Find out from your vet what your cat’s ideal body condition is, and then feed them the right amount at the right time every day. 

Want to get your cat excited about mealtime again? Follow the guidelines in this article about how much dry food to feed a cat, and then give them the food they can’t resist — TEMPTATIONS™ Adult Dry Cat Food.