Wet cat food, often sold in cans, provides numerous advantages, including high moisture content and a nutrient-rich formula that supports your cat’s overall well-being. If you’re considering incorporating canned food into your cat’s diet, understanding the appropriate amount is crucial.
The ideal quantity of canned food varies depending on several key factors: your cat’s age, weight, activity level, and whether they consume dry food or treats in addition to wet food.
This comprehensive guide provides essential information about feeding your cat canned food, offering practical tips on portion sizes, feeding frequency, and the significant benefits of including wet food in their diet.
Determining the Right Amount of Canned Food
Many pet food manufacturers offer feeding guidelines directly on their canned food products. For instance, Farmina® N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate canned wet food suggests feeding 3.25 cans daily for a 10-pound cat.
However, these are general recommendations and may need adjustment based on your cat’s specific needs. It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian to determine the optimal amount of food for your pet, considering factors like age, activity level, health status, and genetics. A cat’s metabolism, for example, can influence how much food they need.
Considerations include:
- Age: Kittens require roughly twice the calories that adult cats do.
- Weight: Larger cats need more energy to support their body functions and muscle mass.
- Activity level: Active cats typically require more food than less active ones.
- Pregnancy or Nursing: Pregnant or nursing cats might need 25–50% more calories than other adult female cats.
- Spay/Neuter Status: Spaying or neutering can reduce a cat’s metabolism by about 30%, necessitating a decrease in food intake to maintain a healthy weight.
Canned Food Feeding Chart for Cats
This feeding chart offers general advice. It assumes the canned food contains 90 calories per 2.5-ounce can, that wet food is the only source of food in your cat’s diet and that the cat is spayed or neutered. Always consult your vet for personalized feeding advice.
| Cat’s Weight | Kitten | Lean Cat | Overweight Cat | Pregnant | Nursing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pounds | 320 calories 3.5 cans | 160 calories 1.75 cans | 130 calories 1.5 cans | 260 calories 2.75 cans | 260 calories 2.75 cans |
| 10 pounds | 550 calories 6 cans | 275 calories 3 cans | 220 calories 2.5 cans | 450 calories 5 cans | 450 calories 5 cans |
| 15 pounds | 720 calories 8 cans | 360 calories 4 cans | 300 calories 3.25 cans | 585 calories 6.5 cans | 585 calories 6.5 cans |
| 20 pounds | 880 calories 9.75 cans | 440 calories 5 cans | 370 calories 4 cans | 715 calories 8 cans | 715 calories 8 cans |
For instance, a 5-pound kitten could eat 3.5 cans per day of Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten Food (2.46-ounce cans).
Conversely, a 10-pound overweight adult cat may only need 2.5 cans per day of Farmina N&D Prime Lamb & Blueberry Wet Cat Food (2.46-ounce cans).
Feeding Frequency
The frequency of wet food feedings depends on your cat’s dietary plan. Cats on an all-wet-food diet can have their daily ration split into two or three meals. Cats that eat dry food supplemented with wet food may only require one or two wet food meals per day.
Be sure to account for the calories from all food and treats to prevent overfeeding, which can lead to weight gain and related health issues. In some cases, vets may recommend wet food for cats with dental problems, nasal congestion, or during recovery from a hospital stay.
Benefits of Canned Food for Cats
Canned cat food offers several advantages:
Hydration
Wet food has about 70% more water than dry food. This can assist with digestion, prevent constipation, support urinary health and benefit cats with kidney disease.
Appetite Stimulation
The strong aroma and taste of wet food can be particularly beneficial for picky eaters or cats with decreased appetites.
Weight Management
Wet food typically contains fewer calories than the same quantity of dry food, making it a valuable tool for managing a cat’s weight.
Enrichment
The varied textures and flavors of canned food offer sensory enrichment, improving the eating experience for your cat.
Easier to Chew
The soft texture of wet food is easier for cats with dental issues to chew.
Lower in Carbs
Wet food is generally lower in carbohydrates than dry food, making it suitable for cats with diabetes.
Selecting the Right Canned Cat Food
When choosing the best food for your cat, prioritize companies that invest in research and conduct feeding trials to ensure the effectiveness of their diets.
Consider the following:
Life Stage
Choose age-appropriate food such as Farmina N&D Ocean Sea Bass, Sardine & Shrimps wet cat food for adult cats.
Ingredients
Essential nutrients for cats include protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and water. Look for a nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If your cat has allergies, consider novel proteins like the wild boar in Farmina’s N&D Prime Wild Boar & Apple wet cat food.
Health Conditions
For specific health conditions like Lower Urinary Tract Disease or Kidney Disease, your vet may prescribe a veterinary diet. For example, Farmina’s Vet Life Urinary ST Management wet cat food can help to prevent urinary stones.
Or Farmina’s Vet Life Cat Renal Recipe in Gravy wet cat food generally helps reduce the kidneys’ workload.
Texture
Experiment with various textures like shredded, chunks, pâté, and puree to find what your cat prefers.
Serving and Storing Canned Cat Food
Cats can have preferences regarding the temperature of their wet food. Some enjoy it cold, while others prefer it warmed. Warming it can enhance the flavor and aroma. However, always test the temperature to prevent burns. Discard uneaten wet food after two hours to prevent spoilage.
For storage:
- Keep unopened cans in a cool, dark location.
- Check expiration dates.
- Refrigerate opened cans with an airtight lid and use within three days.
Conclusion
Determining “How Much Canned Food To Feed A Cat Per Day” requires careful consideration of individual factors, including age, weight, and activity level. By understanding these variables and consulting with your veterinarian, you can develop a balanced feeding plan. Wet food can improve your cat’s hydration, stimulate appetite, and aid in weight management. Properly selecting, serving, and storing canned cat food can significantly contribute to your feline companion’s health and happiness.
