How many cans of wet food should a kitten eat a day
How Many Cans of Wet Cat Food Should My Cat Eat Per Day?
February 24, 2023
How Many Cans of Wet Cat Food Should My Cat Eat Per Day?
How Many Cans Of Cat Food Per Day
From soft pts to gravy-laden chunks of meat, canned cat food has a particularly delectable appeal for most felines. Its the literal cats meow! Canned cat food is extremely palatable, and the premium texture of the food provides your cat with a scrumptious mealtime experience. A variety of flavors allows you to provide your cat with new meal options throughout the week.
If your cat loves lapping up a bowl of canned cat food, you might even find your adorable feline begging for more when mealtime is done, which leads to the question: How many cans of wet cat food per day is the right amount? Its not always clear since, with the high moisture content of canned cat food, youll need to feed your cat more wet food than you would dry kibble.
How many cans of cat food per day you feed your cat has a lot to do with the food you choose, as well as the size and age of your cat. Lets take a look at how many cans of wet cat food is the right amount to contribute to a healthy, happy cat.
How Many Calories Are in a Can of Cat Food?
As you consider how many cans of cat food to feed your cat in a day, it can be helpful to begin by understanding how many calories are in a can of cat food. While the total number of calories in a single can of cat food will vary based on the brand, type of food, and size of the can, the following is a rough estimate of most canned cat food:
- In a 3-ounce can: 70125 calories
- In a 5.5-ounce can: 120180 calories
- In a 12.5-ounce can: 360450 calories
Always read the label on your canned cat food to find out how exactly how many calories are in the particular recipe you have chosen. That will help you as you calculate the number of cans to feed per cat per day.
Choosing the Right Amount of Cat Food for Your Cat
Choosing how many cans of wet food per day for your cat is an important decision. Too little food and your cat might lose weight or even become ill. Too much food and your cat might become overweight or obese, which can lead to a variety of other health conditions.
To calculate the number of cans of cat food to feed your feline family member, start by determining if you have a 3-ounce, 5.5-ounce, or 12.5-ounce can. From here, always follow the feeding guidelines on the can. Most cans will provide you with a recommendation based on the weight of your cat and the amount of food in each individual can. It is also important to include any dry kibble you are feeding your cat along with the canned food in your calculation.
How Many Cans of Cat Food per Day for a Kitten?
For kittens, due to their small size, most cat parents opt to use one 3-ounce can of kitten food. Make sure to look for a recipe designed for kittens, as kittens have vastly different nutritional needs than adult cats. For example, Wellness Complete Health Pt Kitten Recipe is designed specifically for a growing kitten.
The feeding instructions for a 3-ounce can of kitten food are age dependent.
- 011 weeks: feed until full 34 times per day
- 1126 weeks: feed of a can per pound of body weight per day
- 2652 weeks: feed of a can per pound of body weight per day
Choose a Healthy Diet for Your Feline Family Member
Remember, all of these measurements are estimations. Make sure you pay careful attention to your cats body condition. Just like us humans, every cat is a little different when it comes to its metabolic rate.
If you notice your cat is gaining a little extra weight, you might consider decreasing its intake by 10%. If, on the other hand, your cat is losing weight, you might want to consider increasing its daily food intake by 10%.
Always speak to your vet to determine the exact caloric intake your cat needs or if your cat is suddenly gaining or losing weight. Highly active cats will need to eat more than sedentary cats. Not only that, but if your cat requires a specific diet due to an underlying health concern, you may need to lower or raise its food intake.
Your vet can help you determine whether or not your cat is in a healthy weight range and the specific amount of food that will help keep your feline companion on a path to wellness.
Wellness Pet Food Has You Covered!
If you are interested in feeding your cat a healthy diet, consider trying one of our canned foods. Choose from a variety of options, and rest assured that all of our recipes use high-quality proteins and are made with natural, wholesome ingredients.And best of all, every Wellness cat wet delivers a taste that 9 in 10 cats love*. Catisfaction Guaranteed. We are confident that with Wellness, your cat will love the taste but if for any reason your cat is the 1 in 10 who doesnt, Wellness will always offer you a money back guarantee.
Try the Wellness Complete Health Pt Chicken & Herring Recipe, a protein rich meal that supports the 5 Signs of Wellbeing for adult cats. What are the 5 Signs of Wellbeing? Healthy skin and coat, optimal energy, immune health, healthy teeth and bones and digestive health from a highly digestible recipe.Alternatively, if you have a senior cat, give the Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage recipe a try. This formula is designed for cats 7+ years of age to support healthy aging with the right balance of protein and fat, plus natural glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and optimal mobility as your cat ages.
If you cant make up your mind, give our variety pack a try and let your cat decide! At Wellness, we believe that mealtime for your cat is more than just a bowl of food. Its the foundation for a longer and healthier life. Thats why we craft delicious, healthy canned cat foods you can feel good about giving to your furry feline friend.
Dont just take our word for it. With Wellness cat food, Catisfaction is guaranteed. 9 out of 10 cats love Wellness*!
* Based on Studies of Wellness Cat at an Independent Kennel. Data on File.
How To Calculate How Much Wet Food to Feed a Cat
Why Its Crucial to Calculate How Much Food to Feed a Cat
You might wonder why its important to determine the exact amount of wet cat food you should give your cat? As of 2017, an estimated 60 percent of cats in the US are classified as clinically overweight or obese. Thats about 56.5 million cats who are too heavy, and extra weight has a dramatic, negative effect on feline health.
Overweight cats are at an increased risk for congestive heart failure, skin disorders, infections, diabetes mellitus, complications associated with anesthesia and surgery, hepatic lipidosis (a potentially fatal liver disease), and some types of cancer.
Feeding cats wet food is never as simple as just opening up a can and letting them eat until theyre full. Indoor cats, in particular, tend to burn few calories throughout the day, and they become bored, which we all know can lead to excessive eating and weight gain. Pet parents need to take a strategic approach to measuring out cat foodto prevent or deal with weight gain in cats.
How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Cat?
For starters, have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian. He or she will weigh your cat, identify your cats ideal weight, and determine the number of calories your cat should take in every day to reach that goal.
A pet calorie calculator can also get you into the ballpark. If your cat is severely overweight, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription cat foodfor weight loss; otherwise an over-the-counter weight control cat foodshould suffice.
Next, look at the label of your cats wet food. At best, the feeding instructions will be somewhat vague, and they certainly dont apply to every cat in every situation. It helps do some math. A wet cat foods caloric content should be listed somewhere on the label.
For example, American Journey minced chicken and tuna recipe provides 73 calories per 3-ounce can. If you cant find this information, look it up on the manufacturers website or give them a call.
Lets say your veterinarian has determined that your cat should take in 240 calories per day. In this example, you simply need to divide 240 by 73 to determine how many 3-ounce cans of the American Journey chicken and tuna recipe you should offer your cat daily.
240 / 73 = 3.3
Therefore, your cat needs to eat roughly 3 1/3 cans of this food per day.
Cat Food Portions Matter
Cats who have a hard time keeping slim should be fed several measured meals of cat food throughout the day rather than having 24/7 access to food.
How often should you feed your cat? You and your veterinarian can discuss the right frequency based on your situation. But, in general, cats do best when they eat multiple smaller meals throughout the daytwo at a minimum, but more might be better.
The math that you just performed can help inform your decision. In the example that weve used, the cat should be eating 3 1/3 cans per day. Wouldnt it make sense to feed three meals of one can each with the extra third of a can added to the last meal of the day? Whatever you decide, simply divide the number of cans you need to feed in a day by the number of meals you want to provide, and youll have the right portion for each meal.
If youre watching your cats weight, youll also need to subtract the calories provided by any treats you give as well as any dry food you offer. If it helps, keep a log of your cats daily caloric intake goals and then track the food and cat treatsyou give throughout the day to help keep your cats weight on track.
Small-Portion Wet Cat Food Trays
Foods that are already divided into meal-sized portions, like Sheba Perfect Portions grain-free multipack and Nutro Perfect Portions grain-free multipack can reduce the chances that you will inadvertently feed too much at any one time.
How Much Should You Feed a Kitten? Vet Approved Chart
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreBringing home a new kitten is exciting but can also be overwhelming, especially for first-time cat owners. Its very important to nail your kittens nutrition to ensure they grow up to be strong and healthy. If youre not sure what or how often you should be feeding your new baby, youve come to the right place. Read on to learn everything youve ever wanted to know about feeding a newborn kitten to ensure optimal growth and wellness.
Feeding Requirements by Age
04 Weeks Old
Newborn kittens will nurse from their mothers frequently, as often as every two hours during their first seven days of life. After that first week, theyll gradually decrease these feeds to around four to six times daily. Kittens in this age range should gain about 15 to 20 grams of weight every day. If you notice a kitten lagging, you may need to supplement them with a high-quality cat milk replacement fed as per the instructions on the label.
4 Weeks6 Weeks Old
At around three or four weeks, kittens can begin weaning off their mothers milk and transitioning to solid food. Most kittens arent completely weaned until around eight weeks, so this process should be slow and gradual.
Allow them access to a kitten-specific wet food formula. The food should be soft and warm to encourage them to eat it. You may need to begin the weaning process by allowing the kitten to lick the wet kitten food mixed with warm water from your finger. Create a gruel by mixing wet kitten food with water. You can blend it or use a fork to mix it. We recommend warming the gruel in your microwave in 5-second increments, or adding warm water, and stirring it to make it more appetizing. Be careful to ensure it is not too hot.
Once they get the hang of that, food can be served in a bowl or plate. Repeat the process several times daily.
6 Weeks8 Weeks Old
By the time your kittens reach the two-month mark, they should be drinking water and eating independently. You can offer dry food at this point if you wish, though we recommend soaking it in a few tablespoons of warm water at first to help make the transition easier.
8 Weeks6 Months Old
Kittens grow the fastest during the first six months of their lives, after which their need for increased caloric intake and nutrients begins to wane. The feeding chart well share below will give you a good jumping-off point for deciding how much to feed, but most experts recommend using the kittens body condition to make adjustments as necessary. For example, if your kittens spine,ribs and hips are easily visible, you may need to feed them more than what is suggested.
612 Months Old
A kittens body is still growing between six and 12 months of age, though at a much slower rate. They wont burn as many calories as they were in previous weeks, so you must transition them to adult food between 10 and 12 months to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
Knowing when to transition to adult food can depend on your kittens breed, size, and activity levels. Some cat breeds, such as Maine Coons, dont reach full maturity until theyre 18 to 24 months old so that they can stay on kitten food longer than other breeds.
We always recommend referring to the food manufacturers guidelines and speaking with your veterinarian if youre unsure how much your kitty should be eating, as they can consider their size and breed when making recommendations.
Guideline Kitten Feeding Chart
| Age of Kitten | Approximate Weight | What to Feed | How Much to Feed | Feeding Frequency |
| Newborn to 3 weeks | 3 ounces to 1 pound | Mothers milk or kitten formula | 2 to 15 ml formula | Every 2 to 4 hours |
| 4 to 5 weeks | 1 to 1.8 pounds | Mix of mothers milk or formula, and wet food | 18 to 22 ml formula | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 6 to 8 weeks | 1.8 to 2.6 pounds | Weaning period; offer lots of wet food, can offer dry | 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry, offer gruel at every feeding | Every 6 hours |
| 8 weeks to 5 months | 1.5 to 5.75 pounds | Wet, dry, or combination* | 1/3 to 1 cup dry; 3 to 5 servings of wet food | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 6 months to 1 year | 5.75 to 12 pounds | Wet, dry, or combination* | 2/3 to 1 cups dry; 1/4 can to 1/2 can per pound of bodyweight | Two meals daily ( at least) |
* Reduce recommended portion sizes if youre feeding a combination of both wet and dry food.
Note: Different foods will have different amounts of calories per cup and so these are only very rough guidelines. Calculate how much to feed your kitten by checking the food packaging for specific information and consulting with your veterinarian.
What Is the Optimal Kitten Growth Rate?
A good rule of thumb for kittens is to gain around one pound per month. A kitten often weighs around one pound at one mouth, two at two months, and so on until they reach the four- or five-month mark.
Wet or Dry Food for Kittens?
Wet and dry food can be very healthy for kittens, provided theyre good quality and nutritionally complete and balanced for this life stage.
Wet food is higher in moisture and can ensure your busy little kittens are hydrated adequately. This extra hydration can also help keep the urinary tract healthy.
Dry food is typically easier to feed, especially if youre dealing with multiple kittens at a time. Dental plaque and calculus are less frequent in cats fed dry rather than wet food, promoting better oral health.
The biggest difference between the two food types is their moisture content. Dry food contains just 6 to 10% water, while canned food can contain up to 85% water. Typically, wet food also has a higher percentage of protein and fewer carbohydrates, making it closer to the ideal diet for your feline family members. However, this isnt always true, as it depends greatly on the brand and formula.
Most vets would agree that very young kittens should be offered at least some wet food in their diet as their teeth are very small and, therefore, cannot chew dry food as well as they should.
Feeding a diet that contains both wet and dry food is an option. Doing so provides the growing kittens with the benefits associated with both types of food.
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Feeding Methods for Kittens
Free-Feeding
The free-feeding method allows kittens access to their food at all times. Only dry foods can be fed in this way, as canned foods should not be left out at room temperature for long periods; otherwise, it may begin growing bacteria and attracting insects.
The biggest advantage of free-feeding is that your kitten can eat several smaller meals throughout the day on their own schedule. The key to doing this successfully is ensuring youre placing the right amount of dry food your kitten requires for the day in the bowl.
The downfall of free-feeding is that it can lead to overeating and weight gain, especially if youre too generous with your portions. Additionally, it can be hard to determine if your kittens appetite has changed, and it may be challenging to use this method if you have multiple cats.
Meal Feeding
Meal feedings for kittens are much like how we eat as humans. This method requires you to provide food for your kitten at specific meal times throughout the day. Both wet and dry foods can be fed in this manner.
The biggest advantage of meal feeding is that it allows you to monitor your kittens intake closely. This is especially important when you need to keep a close eye on your pets appetite to see if it has changed.
A disadvantage of this method is that you may need to get used to your kitten begging for food between meals. However, if youre following your vets (and our) feeding advice, your kittens should be receiving proper portions that allow them to stay satiated between meals. Naturally cats prefer to eat several small meals a day.
Combination Feeding
Combination feeding is just what it sounds likea combination of the previous two methods. You can serve your kitten canned food as their meal twice daily and allow them free reign to their properly portioned dry food throughout the day.
The advantages of combination feeding are that it lets your cat eat as many small meals of dry food as they want on their own schedule while still allowing you to monitor their appetite through how much canned food theyre eating. This method also provides the kittens with the benefits of both canned and dry food.
As with free feeding, this combination method may lead to overeating and weight gain if done incorrectly. You must measure the dry food portion out exactly and not refill the bowl until the next day. Again, it can be challenging to monitor appetite and food intake, especially if you are feeding multiple kittens.
Final Thoughts
How much your kitten needs to eat depends on their age, breed, size, and health. Kittens should be allowed to nurse from their mothers exclusively for the first two weeks of life before they naturally start reducing their nursing frequency. At around five weeks, they can start to be weaned off their mothers milk and slowly transition to solids.
Featured Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock
