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How much food should I feed my active, thin 1-year-old cat daily?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 year old | 5.5 lbs

How much food does my cat need? She is 1 year old, weighs about 7.5 lbs, and runs around outside for several hours every day. I give her 2 cans of fancy feast and a little dry food (NOW or Merrick: both in kitten formula) every day. Her bowl is usually licked clean. Today I opened a 3rd can and she ate a little of it. She is a little on the thin side. I noticed she supplements her diet with any moths she can catch.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 23rd, 2018

Depending on how much exercise she gets, she may need more food. Usually about 4oz to 5 oz canned kitten food, split into two feedings should be enough, however you may have to feed more in summer as she is more active in summer. Some cats are tall and thin and it is their normal weight. Try to assess her body condition score: https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/companion/our-services/nutrition-support-service/body-condition-muscle-condition-score-charts
This should help immensely. If she is too thin according to this, just feed her more and if you can , three times a day until she has reached the condition you want her to have.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on August 14th, 2019
Homemade diets are very hard to get the correct balance nutrients and calories needed, especially for cats. Minhu needs extra calories, calcium, and protein to support nursing kittens. She should be on a kitten food. Feed her that, and definitely take her into a vet. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 26th, 2017
The best way to fatten up a cat that is recovering from an illness is to feed her kitten food. Don't over feed her as you don't want her to gain weight too fast - that can be too hard on her system. Kitten food is high in calories that is why it is good. Canned or dry food is fine, whatever she likes.

At one month old kittens will often start eating canned food if you offer it to them. The more you can get them to eat, the less they will nurse making it easier on mom's system.

I hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to ask! Best wishes!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Rebecca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 11th, 2017
If it all possible please get Lingling to a veterinarian ASAP. Depending on the age of the kittens she may have mastitis (mammary infection), or uterine infection or potentially a retained fetus or placenta. You'll need to start bottle raising the kittens using a kitten milk replacer formula. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feeding-orphaned-kittens
http://www.maddiesfund.org/orphaned-kitten-care-how-to.htm
https://bestfriends.org/resources/bottle-feeding-kittens

I've given you some links for how to raise and bottle feed the kittens if necessary but please also seek medical care for Lingling.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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