How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Cat? A Complete Guide

Wet cat food is a fantastic choice for feline nutrition, packed with moisture and essential nutrients that contribute significantly to your cat’s overall well-being. If you’re new to incorporating wet food into your cat’s diet, a common question arises: how much wet food is appropriate for my cat?

The right amount of wet food isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It varies depending on several key factors such as your cat’s age, their current weight, how active they are, and whether they are also consuming dry food or treats.

This guide will delve into everything you need to know about feeding your cat wet food. We’ll cover optimal portion sizes, how often you should feed them, and explore the crucial reasons why wet food can be a vital component of a healthy feline diet.

Determining the Right Amount of Wet Food for Your Cat

Many reputable pet food brands provide feeding guidelines directly on their wet food packaging. For instance, consider Farmina® N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate canned wet food. Farmina suggests feeding approximately 3.25 cans daily for a 10-pound cat.

However, these are just general recommendations. To truly personalize your cat’s diet, it’s essential to consider their specific needs. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the ideal portion size tailored to your individual cat. The amount of food your cat requires is influenced by a range of factors, including their age, activity level, health status, and even their genetics.

For example, some cats naturally possess a faster metabolism than others, even within the same age and weight bracket. Similarly, cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a condition that speeds up metabolism, may need to consume significantly more calories daily compared to a healthy cat of similar age and weight.

Here’s a breakdown of the key factors that affect how much wet food your cat needs:

Age: Age is a primary determinant of a cat’s dietary requirements. Kittens, undergoing rapid growth, need roughly double the calories of adult cats to support their development.
Weight: Generally, a cat’s weight correlates with their energy needs. Heavier cats require more energy to maintain bodily functions and lean muscle mass.
Activity Level: Every cat has a basal metabolic rate – the energy needed at rest for basic bodily functions. Active cats expend more energy and therefore need more calories to fuel their activity compared to less active, indoor cats.
Pregnancy and Nursing: Female cats who are pregnant or nursing kittens have significantly increased caloric demands, needing 25–50% more calories (and thus more wet food) than other adult females to support gestation and milk production.
Spay/Neuter Status: Spaying or neutering a cat leads to a decrease in their baseline metabolism by approximately 30%. If your cat has recently been spayed or neutered, it’s crucial to adjust their food intake downwards to prevent unhealthy weight gain.

Wet Food Feeding Chart for Cats: A General Guideline

The following chart provides a general daily feeding guideline. It’s based on the assumption that you are feeding your cat wet food with approximately 90 calories per 2.5-ounce can, that wet food is their sole source of nutrition, and that your adult cat is of a lean body condition and is spayed or neutered.

Disclaimer: This chart is for general guidance only. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized feeding recommendations tailored to your cat’s specific needs.

Cat’s Weight	Kitten	Lean Adult Cat	Overweight Cat	Pregnant Cat	Nursing Cat
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)

Let’s consider a couple of practical examples to illustrate how to use this chart:

If you have a 5-pound kitten, according to the chart, you would aim to feed approximately 3.5 cans per day of a kitten-specific wet food like Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten Food (which comes in 2.46-ounce cans).

Conversely, if you have a 10-pound adult cat who is overweight, you would reduce their daily intake to around 2.5 cans of an appropriate adult wet food, such as Farmina N&D Prime Lamb & Blueberry Wet Cat Food (2.46-ounce cans).

How Often Should You Feed Your Cat Wet Food?

The frequency of wet food meals depends on your cat’s individual feeding plan.

If your cat’s diet consists solely of wet food, you can divide their total daily portion into two or three meals spread throughout the day. This helps maintain consistent energy levels and mimics more natural eating patterns.

For cats who eat a combination of dry food supplemented with wet food, you might offer wet food once or twice a day as a complementary meal or treat.

Regardless of the feeding schedule, it’s crucial to factor in the calories from all sources, including dry food, wet food, and any treats. Overfeeding, even with healthy wet food, can lead to unwanted weight gain and associated health problems. Maintaining a balanced caloric intake is key to your cat’s long-term health.

In some situations, wet food might be particularly beneficial. Cats experiencing dental issues, nasal congestion, or recovering from illness or surgery may find wet food easier to eat and more palatable. Veterinarians may also prescribe special wet food diets to aid in recovery or manage specific health conditions.

You might also choose to offer wet food as a special treat or to stimulate appetite in a cat who is feeling unwell or is a picky eater.

The Undeniable Benefits of Wet Food for Cats

Wet cat food offers a multitude of advantages, ranging from enhanced hydration to appetite stimulation and weight management. It can be a truly invaluable component of a cat’s diet, contributing to their overall health and vitality.

Superior Hydration

One of the most significant benefits of wet food is its high moisture content. Containing approximately 70% more water than dry kibble, wet food is an excellent way to boost your cat’s hydration levels. Many cats don’t naturally drink large amounts of water, making wet food a proactive way to ensure they stay adequately hydrated.

Proper hydration is crucial for various bodily functions. It aids in digestion, helps prevent constipation, and promotes urinary tract health by diluting urine and reducing the risk of urinary crystal formation. Wet food is particularly beneficial for cats with kidney disease, who require increased water intake to support kidney function.

Appetite Stimulation

Wet cat food is renowned for its palatability. The rich aroma and flavor profiles of wet food are highly appealing to cats, making it an excellent appetite stimulant. This is especially helpful for picky eaters or cats experiencing a reduced appetite due to illness or age.

Effective Weight Management

For cats who need to shed a few pounds, wet food can be a valuable tool. Compared to the same volume of dry food, wet food generally has fewer calories. This means you can provide your cat with a satisfying portion size while controlling their calorie intake. Cats needing to lose weight can often eat the same amount of food (or even slightly more by volume) and still consume fewer calories overall.

Enrichment and Enjoyment

Wet cat food comes in a diverse range of textures and flavors, offering sensory enrichment and making mealtimes a more enjoyable experience for your cat. Variety in texture and taste can prevent mealtime boredom and keep your cat engaged with their food.

Easier Chewing

The soft texture of wet food is a blessing for cats with dental problems or older cats with sensitive teeth. For cats who have undergone tooth extractions or have significant dental disease, wet food is much easier and more comfortable to chew, allowing them to maintain proper nutrition without oral pain.

Lower Carbohydrate Content

Compared to dry food, wet cat food is typically lower in carbohydrates. This makes it a favorable dietary choice for cats with diabetes, as they often thrive on diets that are lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein.

Key Considerations When Choosing Wet Cat Food

Selecting the best wet food for your cat involves more than just flavor preference. Look for pet food companies that invest in research and conduct feeding trials to ensure their diets are nutritionally sound and perform as intended.

For example, Farmina employs leading experts in nutrition, veterinary medicine, and food science to maintain rigorous quality control and conduct cutting-edge scientific research. This dedication ensures their products are rooted in both nature and scientific understanding.

Here are important factors to consider when choosing wet cat food, and remember your veterinarian is your best resource for personalized dietary advice:

Life Stage Appropriateness

Choosing a food specifically formulated for your cat’s life stage is paramount to meeting their unique nutritional needs.

For kittens, opt for kitten-specific formulas like Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate kitten wet food, which are designed to support growth and development.

For adult cats, select adult maintenance diets, such as Farmina N&D Ocean Sea Bass, Sardine & Shrimps wet cat food, formulated to meet the needs of adult cats.

Ingredient Quality and Nutritional Completeness

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require nutrients found primarily in animal sources. A high-quality wet cat food should prioritize animal-based protein sources.

Essential nutrients for cats include protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates (in smaller amounts), and water.

Protein is the building block of cells and crucial for growth, repair, and proper bodily function. Common protein sources in cat food include fish, chicken, and other meats. Some foods also feature novel proteins, like wild boar, as found in Farmina’s N&D Prime Wild Boar & Apple wet cat food. Novel proteins can be particularly beneficial for cats with food allergies or sensitivities.

Fats, such as fish oil, are concentrated sources of energy and essential fatty acids vital for skin and coat health and overall well-being. Vitamins and minerals are crucial micronutrients supporting various bodily processes.

Always check the food packaging for the nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This statement guarantees that the diet is complete and balanced for your cat’s specific life stage.

Health Condition Specific Formulas

For cats with specific health conditions, veterinary diets can play a crucial role in management. These specialized diets are formulated to support cats with particular health issues and are typically available through your veterinarian.

Two common health conditions in cats that may benefit from veterinary wet food diets include:

Lower Urinary Tract Disease (LUTD): Veterinary diets designed for LUTD, such as Farmina’s Vet Life Urinary ST Management wet cat food, are often formulated to help prevent the formation of urinary stones and crystals.

Kidney Disease: Veterinary renal diets, like Farmina’s Vet Life Cat Renal Recipe in Gravy wet cat food, are generally formulated to reduce the workload on the kidneys and support kidney function in cats with kidney disease.

Veterinary diets may also be recommended for cats recovering from illnesses that caused weight loss or malnutrition. Farmina’s Vet Life Recoup Recipe wet cat food, for instance, is highly palatable, easily digestible, and energy-dense to support debilitated pets during recovery.

Texture Preferences

Wet cat food comes in a variety of textures, including shredded, chunks in gravy or broth, pâté, and puree. Experimentation may be needed to discover your cat’s preferred textures. Offering a variety can also help keep mealtimes interesting.

Serving Wet Cat Food: Tips for Optimal Enjoyment

Each cat has their own unique preferences when it comes to enjoying wet food. Some cats prefer it chilled straight from the refrigerator, while others prefer it at room temperature.

Many cats find warmed wet food particularly appealing. Microwaving wet food (after removing it from the metal can!) can enhance its aroma and flavor, making it more enticing.

Warming wet food is especially helpful for cats with nasal congestion, as the heat releases aromatic compounds that might be otherwise difficult for them to smell and appreciate.

If you choose to warm your cat’s wet food, always check the temperature with your finger before serving to ensure it’s not too hot and will not burn their mouth. Allow it to cool to a safe, comfortable temperature.

Avoid repeatedly overheating wet food, as this can degrade its nutritional value and alter its texture.

Regardless of temperature, always discard any uneaten wet food within two hours of serving. Wet cat food can spoil and lose freshness if left out for extended periods, potentially attracting bacteria.

Proper Storage of Wet Cat Food

To maintain the quality and safety of your cat’s wet food, follow these storage guidelines:

Store unopened cans of wet cat food in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a pantry.
Always check the expiration date on the can before serving and avoid using expired food.
Once opened, transfer any unused portion to an airtight container or use a dedicated can cover or lid and refrigerate it at 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) or below.
Discard any opened, unused wet food after three days, even if refrigerated, to ensure freshness and prevent spoilage.

Wet Cat Food Feeding FAQs

Is it possible to overfeed my cat with wet food?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to overfeed your cat with wet food. Overfeeding, regardless of food type, leads to weight gain, obesity, and a higher risk of associated health problems like diabetes and joint issues. Always refer to the manufacturer’s feeding guidelines as a starting point, but remember that your cat’s individual needs may differ.

Your veterinarian is the most reliable resource for determining the ideal amount of food for your specific cat, taking into account their individual factors.

What is the ideal wet food to dry food ratio when feeding both?

Many cat owners choose to feed a combination of wet and dry food. This can be done by mixing the two types together or by feeding them separately at different meals (rotational feeding).

Consult your veterinarian for the most appropriate ratio for your cat. A general guideline often suggested is a 2/3 wet food to 1/3 dry food ratio by calorie contribution.

However, accurately balancing calories when mixing wet and dry food can be challenging. It’s best to seek your vet’s guidance to calculate the precise amounts of each food type to ensure you are meeting your cat’s nutritional needs without overfeeding or underfeeding.

How long can wet cat food be left out at room temperature?

Wet cat food should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Beyond this timeframe, it can become susceptible to bacterial growth, increasing the risk of spoilage and potential digestive upset for your cat.

This sponsored article was paid for by Farmina Pet Foods. All opinions within belong to Farmina.

WRITTEN BY

Farmina Pet Foods