Cat food calculator

What is a cat food calculator?

A cat food calculator is a convenient tool for pet owners to determine the optimal amount of food based solely on the weight and activity level of your pet. Have you noticed that cats living in the comfort of a home have entirely different needs compared to more active cats? And regarding periods such as pregnancy or nursing, where nutritional demands double naturally.

Why is it important to calculate calorie requirements correctly?

• Maintaining Ideal Weight: The correct number of calories ensures physical health, preventing obesity or, conversely, underweight.
• Enhancing Activity: Animals receiving the right amount of energy are more active, alert, and playful.
• Improving Health: Optimal food contributes to the normal functioning of internal organs and overall well-being, from coat to teeth.
• Extending Lifespan: Proper nutrition extends life, which certainly pleases your furry friend.

How the calculator works

By entering key parameters - weight and activity level, the calculator calculates how many calories your cat needs per day. Once you have the calorie content of the food, you can also determine how many grams of dry food to give your pet.

Calorie calculation formula

The formula to calculate caloric needs, taking into account the activity coefficient, is as follows:

$$\text{Caloric Needs} = RER \times \text{Activity Coefficient}$$

Where RER is calculated as:

$$\text{RER} = 70 \times \text{weight (kg)}^{0.75}$$

The level of activity affects the adjustment of RER as follows:

• House cat: $RER \times 1.2$
• Active cat: $RER \times 1.6$
• Pregnant: $RER \times 2$
• Nursing: $RER \times 2.5$

Calculation examples

1. Suppose we have a house cat weighing 4 kg.

   $$\text{RER} = 70 \times 4^{0.75} = 70 \times 2.828 = 197.96$$

   Given her moderate activity, we multiply by 1.2:

   $$\text{Calories per day} = 197.96 \times 1.2 = 237.55$$

2. If the same cat is more active:

   $$\text{Calories per day} = 197.96 \times 1.6 = 316.74$$

Notes

• Consider individual peculiarities of your pet when calculating.
• Regularly check weight, adjusting feeding depending on changes in activity and environment.
• This calculator can estimate the daily calorie requirement for your cat, and entering your pet’s food calorie content will reveal the daily portion size required.

Frequently asked questions

How do the activity levels differ: house cat and active cat?

A house cat generally spends more time indoors, limited to walking around the apartment or house, which leads to less physical activity. Therefore, it requires fewer calories. An active cat, on the other hand, often goes outside, hunts or participates in games, requiring a higher calorie count to maintain energy and vigor.

If the food contains 347 calories per 100 grams, what is the amount of dry food for a house cat weighing 5 kg?

First, calculate RER:

$$RER = 70 \times 5^{0.75} = 70 \times 3.343 = 234.01$$

Considering the activity factor (1.2 for house cats), we get:

$$280.812 \text{ calories per day.}$$

If 100 grams of food contains 347 calories, the required grams is calculated as:

$$\text{Amount of food (grams)} = \frac{280.812}{3.47} = 80.93 \text{ g}$$

How to calculate dry food for a pregnant cat weighing 3.8 kg?

A pregnant cat should be fed considering increased caloric needs. Calculate RER:

$$RER = 70 \times 3.8^{0.75} = 70 \times 2.746846 = 192.27$$

Considering the coefficient for pregnant cats:

$$\text{Calories per day} = 192.27 \times 2 = 384.54$$

Then find the required grams knowing the food’s calorie content. By the way, if you need to calculate the cat’s due date, use the cat pregnancy calculator.

Is age considered in calculations?

Balanced feeding focuses primarily on weight and activity needs. Adaptations are only considered for specific age groups if recommended by a veterinarian.

Does the same calculation algorithm apply to food recommendations for a sick cat?

Diet recommendations in case of illness require veterinary consultation and specific dietary recommendations.

How often should I feed my cat?

It is optimal to feed twice a day. However, some owners prefer free feeding (permissible for less active balanced cats).