If you’re new to raw feeding, one of the first questions that comes up is usually: How much raw food should I feed my cat? Some people let their cats decide by offering food freely and allowing them to stop when they’ve had enough. While this can work for cats who naturally stop eating when they’re full, it doesn’t suit every cat.
Greedy cats with big appetites won’t always stop eating when they’ve had enough. For them, relying on self-regulation can quickly lead to overeating and weight gain. That’s why most cat parents find it safer to measure and monitor raw food portions.
This guide will walk you through the how much raw food to feed cats. We’ll cover daily amounts, portion sizes, how to adjust for age, weight, and activity level, plus how much raw food to feed kittens. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to work out the right portion size for your cat.
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Contents
Why portion control matters in raw feeding
Raw food is nutrient-dense and very different from dry kibble or canned food. Because it’s closer to a cat’s natural diet, it digests more efficiently, which means portion sizes can feel surprisingly small compared to commercial cat foods.
This sometimes makes new raw feeders worry they’re not feeding enough, but the key is to look at your cat’s body condition and weight rather than just how much food is in the bowl. Cats thrive when fed the right amount, they need enough to fuel them, but not so much that they gain weight.
How much raw food to feed adult cats
For cats 12 months or older, the general raw feeding guideline is to feed between 2% and 4% of their ideal body weight, split into two or three meals a day. This is a starting point. From here, you adjust the portion size based on your cat’s energy needs, weight changes, and appetite.
Here’s how to apply the 2%–4% rule depending on your cat’s needs:
- 2% (weight loss / inactive cats) – ideal for seniors, overweight cats, or those with low energy levels.
- 3% (maintenance / healthy weight) – good for most average cats.
- 4% (growth / high activity / underweight cats) – best for kittens over 12 months, very active cats, or cats recovering from illness or surgery.
Note: If your cat is very overweight, don’t cut food drastically. Start at 3% of their ideal weight, monitor, and reduce gradually. Cats should never lose weight too quickly. Sudden weight loss can cause fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis), which is serious and sometimes life-threatening.
Also remember to count everything your cat eats in a day, including treats and extras when working out their daily raw food amount.
What affects how much raw food cats need?
Every cat is unique, and there’s no single ‘one-size-fits-all’ amount of raw food that works for everyone. The right portion depends on a mix of factors, including age, weight, activity level, and even the type of food you serve.
Age and life stage
Kittens and young cats eat far more relative to their body weight because they’re still growing and burning energy quickly. Adult cats usually settle into smaller, steadier portions, while seniors often need less as their metabolism slows. That said, some older cats actually require more food if they struggle to absorb nutrients efficiently. Regular weigh-ins are the best way to spot whether your cat’s portion size needs adjusting as they age.
Weight and body condition
Overweight cats need smaller portions to slim down safely, while underweight cats benefit from extra calories. A cat’s appetite also plays a role, some are naturally dainty eaters, while others act like they’ve never been fed.
Lifestyle and activity
Indoor cats burn fewer calories and usually thrive on the lower end of the guideline, around 2% to 2.5% of body weight daily. Outdoor explorers who roam, hunt, and play often need closer to 3.5% to 4% to maintain a healthy weight.
Age related changes
As cats get older, their metabolism slows. A senior cat who naps in the sun most of the day won’t eat as much as a lively two-year-old cat who runs and plays. But it’s also important to note that some senior cats actually need more raw food because they struggle to absorb nutrients as efficiently. Regular weight checks can help you find the balance and determine the optimum raw portion size to feed your cat.
Metabolism and health
Some cats naturally burn energy faster than others. Medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, IBD, or arthritis can also change how much food your cat needs – either increasing their appetite or reducing how efficiently they use calories.
Seasonal changes
Cats often eat less in warm summer months and more in the colder winter months, when they need extra fuel to keep warm.
Breed differences
Certain breeds have special needs. Hairless cats like the Sphynx, Donskoy, or Peterbald burn extra energy just to stay warm, so they require more frequent meals and higher calorie intake. Large breeds such as Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest cats, and Ragdolls take longer to mature – sometimes up to four years, so they may need larger portions for several years to support steady growth.
Food type
Not all raw foods provide the same calories. Lean meats like chicken breast, turkey, or rabbit are lower in energy, while fattier cuts like duck, lamb, pork or chicken thighs pack more calories in a smaller portion. Organs such as liver are nutrient-dense and should only be fed in smaller amounts. This means you may need to adjust portion sizes even when the weight of the food looks the same.
Raw feeding guidelines for adult cats
The raw feeding guidelines show the recommended raw food portion sizes to feed an adult cat based on 2% to 4% of body weight. These are based on two meals a day. Some people prefer to split the food into three smaller meals instead.
For example, if your cat weighs 5kg and you’re feeding 3% of their body weight, that’s 150g of raw food per day. You could give this as two 75g meals, or divide it into three 50g meals, whichever routine works best for you and your cat.
Quick conversion: grams to ounces
Our raw feeding charts are written in grams, but you can easily convert to ounces:
- 1oz = 28.35g
- To convert grams to ounces, divide by 28.35.
Or simply use an online grams to ounces calculator.
Raw feeding guidelines: 3% body weight for healthy adult cats or maintenance
If your cat is a healthy adult with a normal activity level, or if you simply want to maintain their current weight, the 3% body weight chart is a good place to start.
Raw feeding guidelines: 2% body weight for overweight, inactive or senior cats
If your cat is older, less active, or needs to lose a little weight, try the 2% body weight chart.
Raw feeding guidelines: 4% body weight for active or underweight cats
If your cat is young, very active, or needs to gain weight, use the 4% body weight chart to determine portion size.
How much raw food should you feed a kitten?
Kittens need far more food relative to their body weight than adult cats. Because they’re growing rapidly, their bodies demand constant energy and nutrition.
Many raw feeders choose to let kittens guide their intake, offering food whenever they’re hungry. In our home, that meant five meals a day: a small snack as soon as we got up, then breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a final bedtime meal. This routine worked well, but we still kept a close eye on weight to make sure our kittens were thriving at the right pace for their age.
If you prefer a structured approach, kittens generally need 3% to 13% of their body weight in raw food each day, depending on age:
- 2–4 months old: 10% to 13% of body weight daily
- 4–8 months old: 6% to 10% daily
- 8–12 months old: 3% to 6% daily
For example, a 2kg kitten eating at 10% would need about 200g of raw food per day, divided into 4 or 5 meals. Frequent meals are important at this stage, since kittens can’t eat large portions all at once. Most raw feeders continue with 4–5 meals daily until 12 months old, then gradually shift to 2–3 meals a day.
Keep in mind that growth spurts are completely normal. One week your kitten may seem ravenous, and the next week their appetite may slow down. As long as their weight and body condition remain steady, you’re on the right track.
What matters most is making sure your kitten is getting a balanced raw diet that supports healthy growth and development. We use this homemade raw recipe that can be adapted to feed growing kittens.
Our raw feeding routine: how much raw food we feed our cats
With multiple cats, portion control is essential. Our cats are indoor only and weigh between 4.5kgs to 6.4kgs (10 to 14 pounds).
To make things simple, we portion and freeze all balanced raw food meals in 55g servings. Each cat gets two meals daily (morning and evening), plus occasional extras like freeze-dried chicken or hearts, chicken wing tips, sardines, or small pieces of raw meat..
All of the cats are fed the same base amount, which works out to 2% of the body weight of a 5.5kg adult cat. The girls, who each weigh 5kg, often leave a bite or two behind. Max happily eats the leftovers, and as an active boy who only weighs 4.5kg he can afford the extra calories.
We also keep track of who eats what, and if one cat has had extra at mealtimes, we adjust their treats later in the day. This way, nobody is overfed, and Charlie doesn’t miss out. It’s a simple system that helps us manage the different needs of our cats.
How to monitor and adjust raw food portions
We recommend monitoring your cat’s weight with regular checks or weigh-ins, especially when you first transition to a raw food diet.
- Weigh your cat regularly – at home on digital bathroom scales or at the vet.
- Step on the scales yourself and note your weight.
- Step on the scales holding your cat, and note the new weight (you and your cat).
- Subtract the difference to determine your cat’s weight.
- Based on scale readings, you can adjust how much you feed your cat to help them reach their ideal weight.
- Check body condition – use a Cat Body Condition Score Chart to assess whether your cat is an ideal weight, or slightly underweight or overweight. You can also assess your cat’s weight based on how they look and feel. You should feel ribs under a light layer of flesh, not protruding bones or a thick layer of fat.
- Adjust portion sizes gradually – if your cat is losing weight, increase the food amount slightly. If they’re gaining weight, cut back a little on their portion sizes.
Final thoughts
When it comes to how much raw food to feed cats, there’s no universal answer. The 2% to 4% body weight rule is a reliable starting point, but every cat is an individual.
- Start with the raw feeding guideline that matches your cat’s age, weight, and lifestyle.
- Monitor their weight and body condition regularly.
- Adjust portion sizes until you find the sweet spot.
Raw feeding usually involves observation and adjustment. With a little practice, you’ll quickly figure out the right amount to feed your cat to help them stay healthy, and thrive on a natural diet.
🐾 For more on raw diets for cats, check out our Complete Guide to Raw Feeding Cats.
