Why Indoor Cats Get Fat (And It Is Not Their Fault)
My sister has a tabby named Mochi. Mochi weighs 14 pounds. For a domestic shorthair, that is like a human wearing sweatpants to a wedding. My sister insists Mochi is "just fluffy." Mochi is not fluffy. Mochi is a cylinder with whiskers.
Here is the problem nobody talks about. Indoor cats need roughly 20% fewer calories than outdoor cats. But they beg like they are training for an eating competition. That 6 AM meowing? Not hunger. It is schedule enforcement. Cats are basically tiny furry union reps.
The math is straightforward. A 4kg indoor cat needs about 180-200 kcal per day. One standard can of wet food? 80-100 kcal. So two cans is perfect. But my sister was giving Mochi three cans plus dry food "for grazing." Plus treats. Plus the occasional piece of cheese when Mochi gave her the sad eyes.
That is how you get a 14-pound cat who cannot jump onto the couch without a running start. I built this calculator because cat feeding guides are useless. The back of the can says "feed 1 can per 3 pounds." That would mean Mochi needs almost 5 cans. Which is insane. No wonder people overfeed.
Use the calculator. Measure the food. Ignore the begging. Your cat will adjust in about 3 days. Mochi did. She is 11 pounds now and can actually chase a laser pointer without getting winded.
Quick Tips Before You Calculate
- Weigh your cat monthly. Bathroom scales work — hold them, subtract your weight.
- Wet food is better for weight control. Cats feel fuller with fewer calories.
- Treats count. Those "just one" Temptations? 2 kcal each. Ten treats = 20 kcal.
- Neutered cats need 25% less food. Nobody tells you this. Now you know.