Cat Food Nutrition Calculator — AAFCO-Based Nutrient Analysis for Homemade Cat Food

Cat Food Nutrition Calculator

Select Ingredients (Multiple Choices)
Selected Ingredients
Nutritional Summary
Nutritional Items Total Amount AAFCO Min AAFCO Max Nutritional State



Cat Food Nutrition Calculator — AAFCO-Based Nutrient Analysis for Homemade Cat Food

Cat Food Nutrition Calculator — AAFCO-Based Nutrient Analysis for Homemade Cat Food

Evaluate homemade cat-food recipes efficiently by selecting ingredients and entering their weights (grams). This calculator aggregates nutrient totals and compares them to AAFCO feline nutrition standards, providing clear visual indicators for each nutrient’s adequacy or excess level.


About AAFCO: Origin and Purpose

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes model regulations and nutrient profiles used throughout North America and referenced internationally. AAFCO’s feline nutrient profiles define minimum and maximum requirements for essential nutrients (proteins, amino acids, fats, vitamins, minerals, etc.) necessary to maintain a cat’s health at different life stages.


Although AAFCO itself is not a regulatory agency, its standards are widely adopted by pet-food manufacturers and authorities to ensure nutritional adequacy and consistent labeling. When preparing homemade diets for cats, comparing recipes to AAFCO profiles helps identify potential nutritional deficiencies or excesses, especially for critical nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A, which cats cannot synthesize effectively.


Calculator Inputs and Outputs

Inputs

  • Ingredient selection — choose one or more food items from the available list (meats, fish, organs, vegetables, oils, supplements).
  • Weight (grams) — enter the weight of each selected ingredient in grams. Nutrient data are standardized per 100 g of ingredient.
  • Optional supplements — add nutritional supplements (e.g., taurine powder, calcium carbonate, vitamin mix) to address specific nutrient gaps.

Outputs

  • Nutrient table — displays each tracked nutrient with:
    • Aggregated total (based on all selected ingredients and weights)
    • AAFCO minimum (if defined)
    • AAFCO maximum (if defined)
    • Status indicator: Below Standard, Moderate, or Exceeds Standard

How to Add Food

  1. Select ingredients from the ingredient list (multiple selections supported).
  2. Each selected ingredient will appear as a card where you can input its weight in grams. Default is 100 g; modify as needed.
  3. To remove an ingredient, click its Delete button or uncheck it in the list.
  4. The nutrient totals update automatically whenever weights are changed or ingredients are added/removed.

Calculation Rules and Status Judgement

  • Total calculation: Each ingredient’s nutrient content (per 100 g) is scaled according to its entered weight. For example, if chicken breast provides 25 g protein per 100 g and you enter 120 g, its contribution is 25 × 1.2 = 30 g protein.
  • Status judgment rules:
    • If a Min value exists and the actual amount < Min → Below the standard
    • If a Max value exists and the actual amount > Max → Exceeds the standard
    • Otherwise → Moderate

Important Notice

This calculator provides an informational estimate comparing homemade cat-food compositions with AAFCO standards. It does not replace veterinary advice or laboratory nutrient testing. Cats have specific metabolic needs and cannot synthesize several essential nutrients independently. For kittens, pregnant or lactating queens, or cats with medical conditions, consult a veterinarian or feline nutrition expert before implementing any homemade diet.