How much per day
Weight, life stage and activity set your cat's starting amount. An average 4 kg (9 lb) adult starts at about a fifth of a 1x batch a day if neutered or indoor, and about a quarter if active.
Body condition makes the final call. Aim for ribs you can feel but not see, and a waist you can see from above. Feed a little less if your cat gets rounder, a little more if they get thinner.
Read more: The monthly check · Guide 9
Very thin
Ribs, spine and hip bones show on a short coat. No fat, and a tucked-up belly.
Thin
Ribs and spine easy to feel, with little fat. An obvious waist.
Ideal
Ribs you can feel under a thin layer of fat. A waist from above.
Overweight
Ribs hard to feel. Little waist, and a rounded belly.
Obese
Ribs cannot be felt. No waist, and a hanging belly.
Coming soon for subscribers: a Feeding Planner that works out your cat's daily amount.
How long a batch lasts
- 1x makes 1,000 kcal of food, about 840 to 950 g (1.9 to 2.1 lb). It feeds an average 4 kg (9 lb) adult cat for about 4 to 5 days.
- 2x lasts about 8 to 10 days.
- 5x lasts about three weeks and needs a stockpot of about 8 quarts (7.5 L).
- Custom takes any number above 1.
Cook 1x the first time. Then pick a size your freezer and calendar allow. With two cats, a batch lasts about half as long.
Kittens, seniors, pregnancy
- Kittens need more food for their size than adults, and their amount changes as they grow. Feed the Kitten & Adult version, and check their body condition often.
- Seniors need closer watching. Unexplained weight loss needs a vet, not a bigger portion.
- Pregnant and nursing cats need more food than usual, most of all while nursing a large litter. They eat the Kitten & Adult version until weaning.
Portioning and storage
Pack single meals, so you thaw only what you need. Use airtight, freezer-safe containers or silicone portion molds, filled to the top to keep air out. Label each with the recipe and the date.
| Where | How long |
|---|---|
| Fridge | Up to 3 days |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months for best quality |
| Thawed, in the fridge | Use within 2 days. Never refreeze. |
Get the portions into the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of the pot coming off the heat. Thaw them in the fridge overnight, never on the counter.
Serving and meal times
- Serve at room temperature or barely warm: cats often refuse cold food. Set the container in warm water for a few minutes.
- Never heat it until hot, and skip the microwave. Heat destroys some nutrients the supplements add.
- Add each meal's share of salmon oil at serving.
- Feed set meals: two a day for adults, three or more for kittens.
- Pick up what your cat leaves after 30 minutes, and wash the bowl daily.
Water
Expect your cat to drink less once switched: fresh food is about three-quarters water. Keep fresh water out anyway. For wetter or drier food, use more or less water in the recipe. It does not change the balance.
Read more: What you can and cannot swap · Guide 5
Treats and toppers
Treats and toppers add calories but not the recipe's balance. Keep them under a tenth of your cat's daily calories, and feed a little less on treat days. Plain, boneless cooked meat and single-ingredient freeze-dried treats are fine.
If your cat is reluctant to eat, add a topper they love, such as freeze-dried hearts, giblets or sardines. Once they eat the homemade food, ease the topper out over a few days.
Read more: If your cat refuses · Guide 2
Mixing with commercial food
Mixing is fine during the switch, while traveling, or when a batch runs out. Each homemade meal is balanced on its own, whatever your cat ate before it. Split the day's amount between the two foods. Never leave dry food down all day beside fresh meals: your cat fills up on it.
Read more: The 10-day ladder · Guide 2