# How much Smalls should I feed my cat? > The average adult cat of 10 lbs needs 200 calories per day to stay healthy and pouncy With this in mind we calculated feeding guidelines that satisfies your c Source: https://help.smalls.com/en_us/how-to-serve-BJprhFg1a Last updated: 2025-09-27T13:19:32.176Z _Please keep in mind these recommendations are guidelines and can vary based on your cat's age, health, activity levels, and any other food they consume. Always check with your vet before changing your cat's diet for the most comprehensive advice tailored to your cat's unique needs._ * * * ### ### Feeding guidelines based on life stage * **Adult Cats:** * The average adult cat typically consumes 20 kcal per pound daily. Each Smalls fresh food packet contains 200 kcal, which is the daily recommended serving for an average 10 lb cat, and can be easily split between two or more daily meals. * **Feeding guidelines:** If your cat is at their goal weight, feed your feline friend one 200kcal packet of Smalls fresh food daily for every 10 lbs of body weight. This should be split between two or more daily meals. * **Kittens (under 12 months):** * Growing kittens need more calories per pound than adult cats to fuel all that play and development. From 1–6 months, they need around 90–100 kcal per pound daily. From 6–12 months, that drops to about 45–54 kcal per pound as their growth starts to slow. * **Feeding guidelines:** Feed up to 100 kcal per pound daily, depending on your kitten’s age and weight. We recommend weighing them weekly and adjusting portions as they grow. Kittens thrive on multiple small meals a day—aim for 3–4 (or more) to keep up with their high energy and fast metabolism. * **Pregnant/Nursing Cats:** * Pregnant cats require 40-80 kcal per pound daily. * Nursing cats require 90-114 kcal per pound daily. * **Feeding guidelines** Pregnant cats may need up to 80 kcal per pound daily, while nursing cats can require as much as 114 kcal per pound to support their kittens. As the kittens begin to wean, those calorie needs will naturally go down. Split daily calories into two or more meals to keep mealtime manageable. * **Weight Loss:** * Adult cats looking to lose weight should get a recommended goal weight from their veterinarian, and all long term weight loss should be monitored by your vet. * Start by understanding your cat’s current weight and what your cat would ideally weigh as specified by your veterinarian. Feed them 80% of the calories needed to achieve their ideal weight, as determined by their vet. * A sudden drop in weight can be dangerous for cats, so it’s important to take things slow. Aim for a gradual loss of 0.5% to 2% of their current weight per week—small, steady changes are safest. * Weigh your cat at the start of each week to check progress. If you’re on track, stick with it—if not, adjust as needed and keep going at a steady pace. * For best results, divide their daily portion into a few smaller meals spaced throughout the day—it’s easier on their digestion and keeps them satisfied. * **Weight Gain**: * Underweight cats may have lost weight due to a health issue, so, it is important they be examined by your veterinarian to ensure they are healthy before changing diet strategy. Weight gain should be monitored by your veterinarian. * Start by understanding your cat’s current weight and what your cat would ideally weigh as specified by your vet. Feed your cat the recommended daily calories for their ideal weight, rather than their current weight. * For best results, split the daily serving into multiple meals and feed throughout the day. ### Fresh Frozen Feeding guidelines based on weight 4lb cat ...................... 0.4 packet daily 6lb cat ......................  2/3 packet daily 8lb cat ......................  1 packet daily 10lb cat ......................  1 packet daily 12lb cat ......................  1 1/4 packet daily 14lb cat ......................  1 1/2 packet daily ### Freeze-Dried Feeding guidelines based on weight 4lb cat ...................... 1/2 cup daily 6lb cat ......................  2/3 cup daily 8lb cat ......................  3/4 cup per day 10lb cat ......................  7/8 cup daily 12lb cat ......................  1 cup daily 14lb cat ......................  1 1/4 cup daily ### Kitten Feeding Guidelines **Weight lbs** Energy requirements  If <6 months old (90-100kcal/lb/d) Packs of Smalls (200kcal/pk) Energy requirement if 6-10 months old (45-54 kcal/lb/d) Packs of Smalls (200kcal/pk) **2** 180 - 200kcal/d 1 pk/d \- \- **3** 180-300 kcal/d 1.25 pk/d \- \-  **4** 360-400 kcal/d 1.75 pk/d 180 - 216 kcal/d 1 pk/d **5** 450-500 kcal/d 2.25 pk/d 225 - 270 kcal/d 1.25 pk/d **6** 540-600 kcal/d 2.75 pk/d 270 - 324 kcal/d 1.5 pk/d **7** \- \- 315 - 378 kcal/d 1.5 pk/d **8** \- \- 360 - 432 kcal/d 2 pk/d **9** \- \- 405 - 486 kcal/d 2 pk/d **10** \- \-  450-540 kcal/d 2.25 pk/d Need help building a specific feeding plan? Reach out to our Cat Concierge team via text at 503-487-4303 or email at [meow@smalls.com](mailto:meow@smalls.com).