Do you always feed your cat by feel and by eye? Does your cat get food in its bowl every time it mews or snacks between meals? Then you could quickly be overfeeding your pet. The result: your cat will become overweight and maybe even ill. Cats that are too fat generally also have a shorter life expectancy. As soon as cats are 15 to 20 % over their ideal weight, they are said to be overweight. As you can see, the right amount of food is crucial when feeding your feline friend.

Do you know how much food your cat needs per day? The basis for this is the determination of the energy requirement. This depends on various factors. Age, breed, activity level, metabolism and body weight all influence energy requirements. Also note whether your cat is neutered. Nowadays, the daily energy requirement of cats is usually calculated on the basis of metabolic body weight.

This formula will help you:

• Normal weight cat: Body weight⁰- ⁶⁷ x 100 kcal = daily requirement in kilocalories
• Overweight cat: Body weight⁰- ⁴⁰ x 130 kcal = daily requirement in kilocalories
• Underweight cat:Body weight⁰- ⁷⁵ x 100 kcal = daily requirement in kilocalories

Is this calculation too complicated for you? Then you can also use this rule of thumb as a rough guide:

• Domestic cats require approximately 60 kcal per kg body weight per day
• Active outdoor cats require approximately 80 kcal per kg body weight per day

Once you have determined your cat's energy requirements, you can use this to determine the optimum amount of food.

Here's how:

Look at the calorie information on your cat food. You need the calorie content per 100g.

Example: The daily energy requirement of your cat is 300 kcal.Your cat food has an energy content of200 kcalper 100g.

Then you calculate: (300 x 100) / 200. In this example, the daily amount of food for your pet should be around 150g per day.

Remember: You don't have to weigh the food to the gram. But calculating the amount of food can be a good guide. Don't forget your pet's daily snacks. They are often very high in calories. Ultimately, of course, it's not just the quantity that matters, but also the quality of the food. If you are unsure about the right food for your cat, ask your vet.