About the British Shorthair
Calm, dignified and famously food-motivated teddy-bear cats. A typical adult British Shorthair weighs around 4–8 kg (Medium–Large (stocky)).
How many calories does a British Shorthair need?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1.116 for a typical cat at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure. The British Shorthair carries a breed metabolic adjustment of ×0.93, already applied below.
| Body weight | Daily calories | Dry kibble ~3,600 kcal/kg | Wet ~1,100 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | 221 kcal | 61 g | 201 g |
| 4.571 kg | 244 kcal | 68 g | 222 g |
| 5.143 kg | 267 kcal | 74 g | 243 g |
| 5.714 kg | 289 kcal | 80 g | 262 g |
| 6.286 kg | 310 kcal | 86 g | 282 g |
| 6.857 kg | 331 kcal | 92 g | 301 g |
| 7.429 kg | 352 kcal | 98 g | 320 g |
| 8 kg | 372 kcal | 103 g | 338 g |
Feeding a British Shorthair for a healthy weight
British Shorthairs are stocky and low-energy with a strong tendency to obesity — their round shape can hide weight gain. Weigh food and feel for ribs rather than trusting their naturally chunky look.
What to feed a British Shorthair
Cats are true obligate carnivores: they require animal-derived protein, taurine, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A. Wet food is strongly recommended as a significant part of the diet because cats have a naturally low thirst drive and are prone to urinary and kidney problems on dry-only diets.
Two to four small meals a day mirrors a cat's natural grazing pattern better than one large meal. Puzzle feeders and timed feeders help indoor cats stay active and prevent begging.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a British Shorthair?
A 6 kg British Shorthair needs roughly 230-270 kcal a day, but their calm nature and food love make obesity common. Feed to a felt-rib body condition, not to their naturally cobby appearance.
How much should I feed my cat per day?
A typical 4 kg neutered indoor cat needs about 200-240 kcal a day — roughly 55-65 g of dry food or around 200-230 g of wet pâté. Kittens and active cats need more; use the calculator for a weight-specific figure.
How much wet food should a cat eat daily?
If feeding wet only, a 4 kg cat needs roughly 200-230 g (about 2.5 standard 85 g pouches) of typical pâté per day. Mixed feeders should calculate total calories first, then split between wet and dry.