How Much to Feed a British Shorthair Cat
Stocky and placid, the British Shorthair gains weight easily once past its third birthday. Using the veterinary RER/MER formula, an adult British Shorthair Cat of about 12 lbs needs roughly 299 kcal per day — around 79 g (0.8 cups) of typical dry food. The calculator below is pre-set for the British Shorthair Cat: adjust the weight, life stage and food type to match your cat.
British Shorthair Cat portion calculator
Veterinary RER/MER formula — daily calories, grams and cups.
RER 249 kcal × 1.2 (adult, neutered/spayed) = 299 kcal, at 380 kcal/100g. Estimates for healthy pets — always confirm with your veterinarian.
Cats are obligate carnivores with a metabolism that differs sharply from dogs — their energy multipliers are lower, and an indoor British Shorthair Cat often needs even less than the 299 kcal this calculator estimates. Many cat foods overstate portions on the label. Weigh the daily amount (about 79 g of the selected food) rather than free-pouring, and use a body-condition check monthly: you should feel ribs under a thin fat layer.
A healthy adult weight for the British Shorthair Cat is around 12 lbs (5.4 kg), which yields a resting energy requirement (RER) of 249 kcal. Multiplied by the adult, neutered/spayed factor of 1.2, the daily target is 299 kcal — roughly 150 kcal per meal over 2 meals. Wet food changes the volume dramatically: at ~95 kcal/100g you would serve about 315 g of canned food instead.
These numbers are a starting point, not a prescription. The calculator supports every life stage (kitten, adult, neutered/spayed, adult, intact, senior, weight loss plan) — a kitten can need two to three times the adult allowance, while a senior or a cat on a weight-loss plan needs noticeably less. Recheck the numbers after any change in weight, activity, food brand or neutering status, and always transition between foods gradually over 7–10 days. For medical conditions, pregnancy or lactation, follow your veterinarian's feeding plan instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much food should a British Shorthair Cat eat per day?
A typical adult British Shorthair Cat weighing 12 lbs needs about 299 kcal per day (adult, neutered/spayed), which is roughly 79 grams — about 0.8 cups — of standard dry food, split into 2 meals.
How is the British Shorthair Cat's daily portion calculated?
We use the standard veterinary formula: Resting Energy Requirement (RER) = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor. For a 5.4 kg British Shorthair Cat, RER is 249 kcal, and the adult, neutered/spayed factor of 1.2 gives 299 kcal per day.
How many times a day should I feed my British Shorthair Cat?
2 meals per day is the standard recommendation for a adult, neutered/spayed cat — about 150 kcal (39 g of dry food) per meal. Puppies and kittens need 3–4 smaller meals instead.
Should I feed my British Shorthair Cat wet or dry food?
Both can be complete diets; what changes is volume and water intake. The same 299 kcal daily target is about 79 g of dry food but roughly 315 g of wet food. Many owners mix both — just keep the combined calories at the target.