How much raw food does a cat need? The amount most often cited in raw-feeding guidance is about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult cat, and about 2 to 4 percent for an adult dog — with young animals needing more, up to 8 to 10 percent of body weight a day for a very young kitten. This guide is the raw cat food calculator in words: the percentages, the worked examples, and the risks — because raw feeding is not a veterinary standard, and a raw diet that is not balanced can do harm. Every figure is a guide from raw-feeding sources, not a veterinary prescription: if you feed raw, work with a vet or a vet nutritionist. The raw cat food calculator works out the daily amount for your cat's weight and stage.
The short version is: start with about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult cat, adjust by the scales and by feel, and make sure the diet is balanced — because raw meat alone is not a complete diet. A cat that is fed raw meat without bone, offal, and the right vitamins and minerals will develop deficiencies, and a cat that is fed raw food that is not handled safely can pick up bacteria. The cat food calculator guide gives the calorie method for a complete commercial diet, and the cat calorie calculator guide gives the calorie tables by weight.
The raw cat food calculator: percentages
The percentages most often cited in raw-feeding guidance are: about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult cat, about 2 to 4 percent for an adult dog, and more for young animals — a kitten may need 4 to 6 percent, and a very young kitten up to 8 to 10 percent of body weight a day, because it is growing fast. A senior cat usually needs less, about 2 percent, because it moves less. A very active cat may need more, up to 3 or 4 percent.
Those percentages are a starting point, not a rule: a cat that is gaining weight on 2 percent needs less, and a cat that is losing weight on 3 percent needs more. Weigh your cat every month, feel its ribs and waist, and keep it at a body condition score of 4 or 5 out of 9. The is my cat overweight calculator guide helps you check your own cat's condition, and the cat body condition score chart gives the 9-point scale in full.
Worked examples
A 4 kg adult cat at 2.5 percent needs about 100 g of raw food a day. A 6 kg adult cat at 2.5 percent needs about 150 g a day. A 3 kg adult cat at 2.5 percent needs about 75 g a day. A 5 kg adult cat at 2 percent needs about 100 g a day, and at 3 percent about 150 g a day.
To work out your own cat's amount, weigh it, multiply its weight in grams by the percentage, and split the result into meals: a kitten needs three to four meals a day until about six months, then two meals a day, and an adult cat needs two meals a day. A 10 kg dog that needs 250 g a day and has two meals a day gets about 125 g per meal. The raw cat food calculator works out the exact figure for any weight and stage.
What a balanced raw diet needs
Raw meat alone is not a complete diet: a cat that is fed raw meat without bone, offal, and the right vitamins and minerals will develop deficiencies — most often calcium, because meat is low in calcium and high in phosphorus, and a diet without bone will leave a cat short of calcium. A balanced raw diet needs muscle meat, raw meaty bones, offal including liver, and a source of vitamins and minerals — and the proportions matter: too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, and too much bone can cause constipation.
The safest way to feed raw is to use a complete raw food that is made to a nutritional standard, or to work with a vet nutritionist who can formulate a diet for your individual cat. Do not guess: a raw diet that is not balanced can do harm, especially to a growing kitten, a pregnant or nursing cat, or a senior cat. The cat food calculator guide gives the calorie method for a complete commercial diet, and the senior cat diet guide covers feeding in the senior years.
The risks of raw feeding
Raw food can carry bacteria, including Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can make a cat ill and which can be passed to people — especially children, older people, and anyone with a weak immune system. Handle raw food safely: keep it frozen until you need it, defrost it in the fridge, wash your hands and any surfaces and bowls after handling it, and do not leave raw food out for hours. A cat that is fed raw food should not lick faces, and its bowl should be washed every day.
Raw bones can also be a risk: a bone that is too small can be swallowed whole and cause a blockage, and a cooked bone can splinter and cause damage. Raw meaty bones are safer than cooked bones, but they still need to be the right size for the cat, and the cat should be watched while it eats them. A cat that is ill, very young, very old, or has a weak immune system should not be fed raw food. The feeding a pregnant cat guide covers feeding in pregnancy, and the feeding a nursing cat guide covers feeding while nursing.
Raw or cooked: what vets say
Most vets do not recommend raw feeding, because of the risks of bacteria and of an unbalanced diet, and because a complete commercial diet is safer and easier to get right. Some owners feed raw and their cats do well on it — but those owners usually work with a vet nutritionist, use a complete raw food, and handle the food safely. A raw diet that is not balanced, or that is not handled safely, can do harm, and the harm may not be obvious until it is serious.
If you do feed raw, work with a vet or a vet nutritionist, use a complete raw food or a formulated diet, handle the food safely, and take your cat to the vet once a year as an adult and twice a year as a senior. Weigh your cat every month, and adjust the amount by a tenth at a time. The how many calories should a cat eat per day guide gives the calorie tables by weight, and the cat food portion calculator guide gives the portion sizes in cups and grams.
For related reading, see the raw cat food calculator, the cat food calculator guide, the cat calorie calculator guide, the is my cat overweight calculator guide, the cat food portion calculator guide, the feeding a pregnant cat guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much raw food does a cat need?
The amount most often cited in raw-feeding guidance is about 2 to 3 percent of body weight a day for an adult cat, with young animals needing more — up to 8 to 10 percent of body weight a day for a very young kitten. A 10 kg adult dog at 2.5 percent needs about 250 g a day. Those are guides from raw-feeding sources, not a veterinary prescription.
Is raw meat alone a complete diet?
No — raw meat alone is not a complete diet. A cat that is fed raw meat without bone, offal, and the right vitamins and minerals will develop deficiencies, most often calcium, because meat is low in calcium and high in phosphorus. A balanced raw diet needs muscle meat, raw meaty bones, offal including liver, and a source of vitamins and minerals.
What are the risks of raw feeding?
Raw food can carry bacteria, including Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can make a cat ill and which can be passed to people. Raw bones can also be a risk: a bone that is too small can be swallowed whole and cause a blockage. Handle raw food safely, wash your hands and bowls, and do not leave raw food out for hours.
Do vets recommend raw feeding?
Most vets do not recommend raw feeding, because of the risks of bacteria and of an unbalanced diet, and because a complete commercial diet is safer and easier to get right. If you do feed raw, work with a vet or a vet nutritionist, use a complete raw food or a formulated diet, and handle the food safely.
How much raw food should a kitten eat?
Young animals need more than adults: a kitten may need 4 to 6 percent of body weight a day, and a very young kitten up to 8 to 10 percent, because it is growing fast. A raw diet that is not balanced can do harm, especially to a growing young animal — work with a vet nutritionist.
When should I ask a vet about raw feeding?
Ask a vet before you start feeding raw, and at each vet visit after that. A vet can work out whether raw feeding is safe for your individual cat, and can advise on a balanced diet. A cat that is ill, very young, very old, or has a weak immune system should not be fed raw food.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.