Formula
RER = 70 * body_weight_kg ^ 0.75
daily_kcal = RER * life_stage_activity_adjustment
monthly_food_cost = daily_kcal / 100 * price_per_100_kcal * 30.44
Cat nutrition calculator
Cat food calorie calculator.
Estimate daily calories from body weight, life stage, activity, and neuter status, then translate that feeding target into daily and monthly food cost using the package's total calories.
WeightStarts with body-weight calorie math
kcalWorks across dry, wet, and mixed food
$/100 kcalTurns labels into cost
Label firstUse vet guidance for medical plans
Quick calculator
Estimate calories and monthly food cost.
Enter a planning weight and the current package price. For wet food cases, add all cans, trays, or pouches together to get total package kcal.
Daily calorie estimate
Cost per 100 kcal
Monthly food cost
| Planning scenario | Daily kcal estimate | Example cost per 100 kcal | Estimated monthly cost | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb adult, typical indoor | About 240 kcal/day | $0.35 | $26/mo | Run monthly food math |
| 12 lb adult, higher activity | About 320 kcal/day | $0.58 | $56/mo | Compare by $/100 kcal |
| 8 lb senior, lower activity | About 170 kcal/day | $0.58 | $30/mo | Add to full budget |
| Kitten planning | Changes quickly as the kitten grows | Use current label kcal | Recalculate often | Plan first-year costs |
What this estimate does not decide
This calculator does not choose a diet, diagnose weight problems, or set a prescription feeding plan. Use it to budget after you have a calorie target from the label, body condition plan, or veterinarian.
Calorie method
Why calories beat cups, cans, or bag price for cost math.
A cup of one dry food, a can of wet food, and a pouch of another recipe can contain very different calories. Cost per 100 kcal puts the recurring bill on one comparable unit.
Start with weight-based calorie math as a planning estimate. Then check the food label, because the label defines the calories actually inside the package. If the label gives kcal per cup, can, tray, pouch, or kilogram, convert that to total package calories before comparing cost.
For budget planning, divide the current package price by total package kcal and multiply by 100. That gives price per 100 kcal. Multiply by the daily calorie estimate and by 30.44 days to get the monthly food line.
This is especially useful for mixed feeding. You can price the dry portion and wet portion separately, then add the two daily costs. If the food is therapeutic, prescription, or tied to a medical condition, keep the diet decision outside CatCost and use this page only to make the budget visible.
Next steps
Use the calorie estimate with CatCost tools.
Estimate food cost per month
Use package price, total package calories, and daily kcal target to calculate the monthly food line.
Open calculatorCompare food by $/100 kcal
Sort example food rows by calorie-normalized cost instead of bag size or can count alone.
Open value tableRead wet vs dry cost math
Understand why wet food, dry food, and mixed plans need calorie-normalized comparisons.
Read guideSources and methodology
- Nutritional Requirements of Small AnimalsMerck Veterinary Manual. Used for calorie terminology, RER context, and conservative nutrition framing.
- Dog and Cat FoodsMerck Veterinary Manual. Used for calorie-content label expectations and diet-label context.
- Nutrition and Weight: Young Adult CatsAAHA / AAFP. Used for adult feline RER starting-point guidance.
- How Dry Pet Food Is MadeFEDIAF. Used for pet food format and processing taxonomy, including extruded, baked, wet, cold-pressed, raw, and dried formats.