How much to feed, wet versus dry, keeping your cat lean, and why hydration matters so much — the whole picture in one place, with free calculators and plain-English guides.

Quick answer

Feed your cat by calories, not by the scoop: start from their daily needs (based on ideal weight, age, and activity), split it across measured meals, and feed for their target weight if they're overweight — cats must lose weight slowly and safely. Count treats within the total, favor measured meals over all-day grazing, and remember much of a cat's water can come from wet food.

Cats make feeding deceptively hard: they beg convincingly no matter how much they've eaten, more than half are overweight, and their low thirst drive means hydration quietly matters more than most owners realize. A few principles cut through all of it.

Portion by calories for your cat's ideal weight, measure meals rather than free-feeding, count treats within the daily total, and pay attention to water — wet food is a big part of how cats stay hydrated. The guides below cover each piece, and the calculators handle the numbers.

How much to feed

The right daily amount for your cat, and the mistake vets see most.

How Much Should You Feed a Cat? A Daily Guide

How much should you feed a cat? A vet-informed guide to daily portions by weight, wet vs. dry amounts, feeding frequency, and avoiding the feline obes

Reddit's Most Common Cat Feeding Questions, Answered

The cat feeding questions owners ask most — how much, wet vs dry, treats, free-feeding, overfeeding — answered plainly with the numbers that matter.

Feed Your Cat for Their Target Weight, Not Current

The most common feeding mistake vets see: feeding a cat for its current (over)weight instead of its ideal weight. Here's the one shift that quietly fi

New Cat Owner? How Much of Everything You Actually Need

New to cats? Here's a simple guide to how much of everything your cat needs — food, water, litter, and space — with the numbers that actually matter.

Wet, dry & portioning

Combining formats without doubling the calories, plus safe human foods.

Mixing Wet and Dry Food: How to Portion It Right

Feeding both wet and dry food? The easy mistake is serving a full portion of each and doubling the calories. Here's how to split one daily budget acro

Human Foods Cats Can Safely Eat (and What to Avoid)

Which human foods can cats safely eat? A vet-informed list of safe proteins and treats for obligate carnivores, how to serve them, and the foods to ne

Weight & appetite

Tracking weight at home, and what changes in eating can mean.

The Best Way to Weigh Your Cat at Home

You don't need a vet trip to track your cat's weight. Here's the simple hold-and-subtract method, how often to weigh, and what a meaningful change loo

Why Is My Cat Losing Weight? Causes to Know

Why is my cat losing weight? Why it matters even when a cat eats well, the common causes from hyperthyroidism to kidney disease, and when to see the v

Why Is My Cat Not Eating? Causes and When to Act

Why is my cat not eating? Why appetite loss is urgent in cats, common causes, how to tempt a cat to eat, and when refusing food means calling the vet

Hydration & water

Why water matters so much for cats — and how to tell if yours drinks enough.

Reddit Asks: How Much Water Should My Cat Drink?

Two questions dominate cat forums: is my cat drinking enough, or too much? Here's the answer, the moisture math, the red flags, and how to measure.

Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water? Warning Signs and Causes

Sudden increased thirst in cats is one of the most important warning signs in feline medicine. Causes and when to see your vet.

How to Track Water Intake in a Multi-Cat Home

In a multi-cat home, which cat is drinking how much? Here are practical ways to measure individual water intake — and why it matters for health.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I feed my cat a day?

Base it on your cat's ideal weight, age, and activity, not a fixed scoop. Find their daily calorie target, divide it across measured meals, and feed for their ideal weight if they're overweight. Keep treats to about 10% of the total, measure the food, and adjust over a few weeks based on body condition.

Can I feed my cat both wet and dry food?

Yes, and wet food adds valuable hydration. The common mistake is serving a full portion of each, which roughly doubles the calories. Instead, work out one daily calorie budget and split it between wet and dry.

How do I know if I'm overfeeding my cat?

Check their body, not the bowl: you should feel the ribs with light pressure without seeing them, and see a slight waist from above. Over half of pet cats are overweight, usually from more calories in than out, including uncounted treats.

How much water should a cat drink?

Roughly a cup of total water a day for an average adult, but much can come from food — wet food is 70–80% water, so wet-fed cats may drink little and still be hydrated. A sustained, marked increase in drinking warrants a vet visit.

Sources & further reading

MyNubs content is researched from published guidance by veterinary and other authoritative organizations. For this topic, see:

This article is for general educational purposes and reflects guidance from veterinary and other authoritative sources. It isn’t a substitute for professional veterinary advice — every animal is different, so please consult your veterinarian about your pet’s individual needs.