Daily calorie calculator
Calories a day from weight, neutering and age
How is it calculated?
It uses the NRC 2006 cat equations: adult formulas differ by neutering and body shape, and kittens use a growth equation with expected adult weight. It is the same formula the CatLab app uses for a cat’s profile.
Options then adjust it: thin +20%, low or high activity ±10%, and ill or recovering cats start from resting energy (RER = 70 × weight^0.75) — a common starting target, raised as the cat recovers.
Questions
Why do neutered cats need fewer calories?
Energy use drops and appetite rises after neutering, so the same weight gets a lower target (NRC 2006 formulas).
How many treats are OK?
Up to 10% of daily calories. For a 4 kg neutered cat (about 190 kcal) that is about 19 kcal; a lickable treat tube is around 6–7 kcal.
My cat gains or loses weight on this amount.
Formulas are averages; real needs vary by ±20%. Weigh every 2–4 weeks and adjust by 10%. Losing more than 2% of body weight a month needs checking.
Estimates for healthy-weight cats based on NRC 2006 and IRIS guidance. A cat with a medical condition may need different numbers.