How much wet food to feed a cat

Not sure how much wet food to feed your cat? Well, the answer isn't strictly a one size fits all guide. That's because the amount of wet food to feed your cat is driven by factors including their weight, age, health and how active their lifestyle is. An average adult cat would usually need around 4-5 ounces or 115-140 grams of wet food per day, but the amounts recommended are always approximate, as the appropriate portion size can vary if they're more on the small or large side, if they're pregnant and if they're particularly active or sedentary.

Age and lifestyle will also affect the amount of food your cat will need, with very active cats needing more calories than indoor cats who exercise less and don't hunt. In terms of age, kittens require more food per pound of body weight than adult cats, as they need the extra calories and nutrients to support their growth and development. Senior cats, on the other hand, require less food as they get older, as their metabolism slows down and they're less active.

How much wet food to feed your cat in a day

It's important to use your cat's weight as an accurate guide to the exact portion required. Calorie content will also vary between different varieties of wet food, so this needs to be considered. Our handy chart below helps you with this calculation for small, medium or large cats when feeding them SHEBA® wet food products.

*Average amount of food per day across all the sub-ranges of the portfolio. Our SHEBA® pouch or one SHEBA® tray can be replaced by 18-20g of dry food.

As well as their main meals, it's also important to account for the calories coming from treats. Feeding amounts are intended as guidelines only, and you should adjust the amount of food according to the activity level of your cat, as well as their size and age.

So your cat always has something to look forward to, you can divide their daily calorie allowance of food and treats into portions for feeding throughout the day. Not only will it keep them interested, but it will more closely mimic what their feeding schedule would look like in the wild, with several meals a day.

SHEBA® wet food should be served at room temperature, and surplus food can be chilled for up to two days to be eaten at another time. Be sure to always offer them fresh water along with their food too.

Why do cats need wet food?

Technically speaking, cats don't need wet food but having evolved from wildcats, domestic cats are essentially meat eaters. Wet food is a good source of the protein they need to fulfil their active lifestyles, in comparison to dry food that is high in carbohydrates and can lead to obesity when eaten in excess. Wet food is also a source of hydration, as cat's often don't drink very much water. 80% of wet food is moisture that's absorbed into your cat's system. To learn more about wet versus dry food, take a look at our article on 'Wet vs Dry cat food'.

Why does my cat always want wet food?

A cat's instinct will often tell them to choose wet food as it most resembles the prey that they would catch and eat in the wild. Wet food contains both the protein and moisture content that a cat naturally needs to be a healthy hunter. It's also much richer in scent and flavour, so can often seem a more desirable option than dry food.

Will my cat drink less water if he eats wet food?

As wet food has such high moisture content, it is often the case that a cat will drink less water when their diet is wholly made up of wet food. This is nothing to worry about, as it most likely means they are getting the water they need through their food. Lots of cats don't like still or standing water, so will seek hydration from their diet instead.

Now you know the amount of wet food to feed your cat, and how it supports cat health and hydration, why not discover the delicious range of SHEBA® wet cat food and treats in a range of flavours to satisfy every hungry cat's tastes.