1. What is the Cat Calorie Calculator?

The Cat Calorie Calculator estimates your cat's daily calorie needs using the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) formula commonly discussed on Reddit and veterinary resources. It helps determine how many calories your cat needs to maintain its current weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MER equation:

Where:

• \( weight\_kg \) — Cat's weight in kilograms
• \( activity\_factor \) — Multiplier based on activity level (0.8-1.4)

Explanation: The equation accounts for metabolic scaling (weight^0.75) and adjusts for different activity levels.

3. Importance of Proper Calorie Calculation

Details: Accurate calorie estimation helps prevent obesity (the most common nutritional disorder in cats) or unintended weight loss. About 60% of cats in developed countries are overweight or obese.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Weigh your cat accurately (use a baby scale if possible). Choose the activity level that best matches your cat's daily routine. For weight loss, feed 80% of the calculated MER.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use weight^0.75 instead of just weight?
A: Metabolic rate scales with body surface area, not linearly with weight. The 0.75 exponent reflects this biological scaling.

Q2: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a good estimate for healthy adult cats. Kittens, seniors, or cats with health conditions may need adjustments.

Q3: What if my cat needs to gain or lose weight?
A: For weight loss, reduce calories by 20%. For weight gain, increase by 10-20% and monitor progress.

Q4: How do I convert my cat's weight from pounds to kg?
A: Divide pounds by 2.205 (e.g., 10 lbs = 4.54 kg).

Q5: Should I adjust for spayed/neutered status?
A: Yes, spayed/neutered cats typically need 20-25% fewer calories than intact cats.