Different-aged cats have different nutritional needs. Active kittens eat more. Elderly cats use less energy and need less food.of travel.
It may seem simple, but cats with a larger build will require more food than their smaller counterparts.
Diabetic, pregnant, and lactating cats have special dietary demands. Pregnant cats need twice as much food. Lactating cats can eat four times more!
In a free-feeding scenario, spayed and neutered cats eat more than intact cats. Spayed and neutered cats also gain weight more easily.
Some cat breeds are more prone to grow obese than others, even though breed is not a risk factor.
Indoor/outdoor cats matter. Indoor cats are easier to heat. Free-roaming cats need more energy. Outdoor cats lose weight easier.
Age affects cat metabolism, growth, tissue repair, and energy intake. Kittens' rapid metabolisms need more food to grow tissues. Middle-aged cats' metabolisms are slowest.