Your cat’s ideal diet depends on four biological and environmental variables: age, weight, activity level, and indoor vs. outdoor.
Age: Your cat will fall into one of three life stages: kitten, adult, or senior. Each stage has its own dietary requirements and recommendations.
For example, kittens need special food to help them transition from their mother’s milk, while senior cats may need food with differ nutritional values to support their aging bodies.
Weight: A cat that’s underweight for its age will often need more food than the average cat of the same age, while an overweight cat will need less.
When considering the amount of food to give your feline friend, the goal is to feed them for their ideal body condition. Check with your vet to find out how much food your cat needs based on their current weight and age.
Activity Level: Active cats usually require more food than sedentary cats because they burn more calories each day.
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Cats that live outdoors will usually need to eat more than cats that live indoors.
Considering the above factors, always use the feeding guidelines provided on the cat food packaging as a starting off point. And if you still have questions or need more information, consult with a veterinarian when deciding what and how much to feed your cat.