Cat Calorie Calculator

What is the Cat Calorie Calculator?

The Cat Calorie Calculator estimates the daily caloric needs of your cat based on weight, age, activity level, body condition score, and neutered status.

How to Use the Cat Calorie Calculator

Enter your cat's weight, age, activity level, body condition score, and whether they are neutered. The calculator will provide an estimate of their daily caloric needs.

The result includes the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER). RER is the amount of energy required for a cat at rest, while MER includes additional energy needed for daily activities and health maintenance.

Key Things to Know About Cat Nutrition and Calories

Cats require a balanced diet that includes proteins, fats, and essential nutrients. Factors affecting their caloric needs include:

• Weight: Heavier cats need more calories.
• Age: Kittens need more calories per pound than adult cats.
• Activity Level: Active cats burn more calories.
• Body Condition Score: Indicates if a cat is underweight, ideal, or overweight.
• Neutered Status: Neutered cats often have lower energy requirements.

It can also be useful to understand the two key variations of feline energy requirements i.e.

1. RER (Resting Energy Requirement) is the energy needed for a cat at rest, calculated as 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75.
2. MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) includes RER plus energy for daily activities, calculated by applying various multipliers based on age, activity level, body condition, and neutered status.

How to Help Your Cat Lose Weight

If your cat needs to lose weight, it's important to adjust their diet and increase their activity level. Tips include:

• Consult with your veterinarian to determine a safe weight loss plan.
• Feed a high-protein, low-calorie diet to maintain muscle mass.
• Measure food portions accurately and avoid free feeding.
• Increase playtime and physical activity to burn more calories.
• Monitor your cat's weight regularly and adjust the diet as needed.

How to Help Your Cat Gain Weight

For underweight cats, focus on providing nutrient-dense foods and ensuring they consume enough calories. Tips include:

• Consult with your veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues.
• Offer high-calorie, high-protein foods to promote healthy weight gain.
• Feed smaller, more frequent meals to encourage eating.
• Provide a variety of food textures and flavors to stimulate appetite.
• Ensure a stress-free feeding environment.

References

• The Ohio State University: Companion Animal Nutrition Support Service | Veterinary Medical Center
• College of Veterinary Medicine: Feeding Your Cat