Cat calories by weight
How many calories should a 5 kg cat eat?
A 5 kg cat (11.02 lb) is a larger cat. Sometimes that is frame and sometimes it is extra weight, and the scale cannot tell the two apart. The calories below are a starting point for a healthy-weight cat; your vet can say whether 5 kg is right for yours.
The short answer
A 5 kg neutered adult cat needs about 281 kcal a day (328 if intact). Starting point, not veterinary advice.
In pounds, 5 kg (11.02 lb). Fed as 2 meals, that is about 141 kcal per meal for a neutered or spayed adult (about 164 kcal if intact). Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Not veterinary advice. These figures are general estimates for healthy dogs and cats. They do not diagnose, treat or replace the advice of a licensed veterinarian. Pets with medical conditions, pregnant or nursing pets, and pets that are underweight or overweight should have their calorie targets set by a vet. If your pet's weight or appetite changes, talk to your veterinarian. See also our AI disclaimer.
Daily calories for a 5 kg cat by life stage and activity
| Life stage or goal | Low | Moderate | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitten (under 1 year) | 585 kcal | ||
| Adult, neutered or spayed (1 to 10 years) | 234 kcal | 281 kcal | 328 kcal |
| Adult, not neutered (1 to 10 years) | 234 kcal | 328 kcal | 374 kcal |
| Senior (over 10 years) | 234 kcal | 281 kcal | 281 kcal |
| Weight-loss goal (adults only)Resting energy of the current weight. Puppies and kittens keep their growth number. | 234 kcal | ||
A 5 kg cat split into 2 meals
| Life stage or goal | Per day | Meal 1 + meal 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten (under 1 year) | 585 kcal | 293 + 292 kcal |
| Adult, neutered or spayed (1 to 10 years), moderate activity | 281 kcal | 141 + 140 kcal |
| Adult, not neutered (1 to 10 years), moderate activity | 328 kcal | 164 + 164 kcal |
| Senior (over 10 years), moderate activity | 281 kcal | 141 + 140 kcal |
| Weight-loss goal (adults only) | 234 kcal | 117 + 117 kcal |
Two meals is common feeding practice for adults, not a published calorie standard. Ask your vet how often to feed your pet.
What a 5 kg cat looks like
Five kilograms is about five 1-litre bottles of water. Some cats are naturally large-framed and sit comfortably at this weight; for a small-framed cat it can mean extra body fat. A vet can score body condition and tell you which applies.
If the answer is that your cat should lose weight, the weight-loss row shows the engine's starting figure for an adult cat: 234 kcal a day, the resting energy of the current weight, a floor the engine never goes below. It has no ideal-weight input, so ask your vet for a target and a pace. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
How much food is that? A worked example
As an example only, with a dry cat food with 390 kcal per cup, 281 kcal a day for a neutered or spayed adult is 0.72 cups (about 3/4) a day, or 0.36 cups (about 1/4) in each of 2 meals. Your food will have a different energy value, so read your own label. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Weight loss in cats should be gradual and supervised, because cutting food too fast can be risky for them. That is why the engine does not go below resting energy and why a vet should set the plan.
Measure rather than free-feed. For dry food, a kitchen scale beats a scoop; for wet food, count each can or pouch. Treats count too: the common guidance of about 10% of the day (ask your vet) is about 28 kcal here. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Day-to-day feeding at 5 kg
A useful vet visit for a 5 kg cat is one where you bring numbers: the daily total you really feed in calories, the food names, any treats, and the weights from the last few months. The starting point on this page for a neutered or spayed adult is 281 kcal; if what you feed is far from that, your vet can say whether your cat's needs differ and what weight to aim for. Written records turn a vague worry about weight into something your vet can act on. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
5 kg in pounds
5 kg (11.02 lb). The calculator takes pounds as well and converts them exactly (1 lb is 0.45359237 kg) before it calculates. For example, 11 lb is 4.99 kg, which gives 280 kcal a day for a neutered or spayed adult cat at moderate activity. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
How 5 kg compares with nearby weights
- Heavier: a 6 kg cat needs 41 kcal more a day than a 5 kg cat (322 versus 281 for a neutered or spayed adult at moderate activity), which is 15% more energy for 20% more body weight. Starting point, not veterinary advice. See the 6 kg cat page.
- Lighter: a 4 kg cat needs 43 kcal less a day than a 5 kg cat (238 versus 281 for a neutered or spayed adult at moderate activity), which is 15% less energy for 20% less body weight. Starting point, not veterinary advice. See the 4 kg cat page.
Not exactly 5 kg? The cat calorie calculator works out any weight from 0.2 to 120 kg.
Got questions?
5 kg cat calories: questions
How many calories should a 5 kg cat eat per day?
A 5 kg neutered or spayed adult cat at moderate activity needs about 281 kcal a day, and an intact adult about 328 kcal. At low activity the neutered figure is 234 kcal. A weight-loss goal for an adult uses the resting energy of the current weight, 234 kcal. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
How much food does a 5 kg cat need each day?
It depends on how many calories the food has, so use the label on your own food. For comparison, a dry cat food with 390 kcal per cup would mean 0.72 cups (about 3/4) a day (0.36 cups (about 1/4) per meal over 2 meals) to supply the 281 kcal that a neutered or spayed adult cat of 5 kg needs at moderate activity. Measure by weight if you can. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
Is a cat that weighs 5 kg overweight?
It depends on the cat. Large-framed cats can be a healthy 5 kg, while a small-framed cat at 5 kg may be carrying extra fat. You can check at home: you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. A vet can give a proper body condition score and say what weight to aim for.
How many calories does a 5 kg senior cat need?
A senior cat (over 10 years) at 5 kg is estimated at 281 kcal a day at moderate activity, and 234 kcal at low activity. Older cats can lose weight without meaning to, so a falling weight or appetite is a reason to call your vet. Starting point, not veterinary advice.
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