How Your Cat's Wellness Score Works

Your cat's daily wellness score is calculated using five science-backed health metrics based on research from leading veterinary institutions. Each metric is weighted according to its importance for feline health.


🧮 The Scoring System (0-100 Points)

Your cat receives a score out of 100 points each day, broken down as follows:

💧 Hydration: 35 points (35%)

Why it matters most: Cats evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors and have a naturally low thirst drive. Chronic dehydration is the leading cause of kidney disease in cats, which is one of the top causes of death in felines. Early detection of hydration issues can prevent serious health problems.

How it's scored:

  • Very Low: 15 points - Drinking barely anything

  • Below Normal: 25 points - Less than usual

  • Normal: 35 points ✅ - About the usual amount

  • Above Normal: 35 points ✅ - More than usual

  • Excellent: 35 points ✅ - Drinking plenty

Research basis:

  • Royal Canin Academy: Cats need approximately 50-60ml of water per kilogram of body weight daily

  • Cornell Feline Health Center: Adequate hydration is critical for kidney function and urinary health


🍖 Feeding: 25 points (25%)

Why it's important: Consistent meal schedules help maintain stable blood sugar levels and make it easier to detect changes in appetite—often the first sign of illness in cats.

How it's scored:

  • 0 meals: 0 points ⚠️ - Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) if they don't eat for 24+ hours

  • 1 meal: 15 points - Below veterinary recommendations

  • 2-3 meals: 25 points ✅ - Ideal range

  • 4 meals: 23 points - Still acceptable

  • 5+ meals: 20 points - May indicate free-feeding, which can lead to obesity

Research basis:

  • VCA Animal Hospitals: Recommend at least 2 meals per day for adult cats

  • AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners): Consistent feeding schedules support metabolic health


🐟 Treats: 15 points (15%) - Specific for KittySpout Treats

Age requirement: KittySpout healthy treats are formulated for cats 12 weeks and older. Kittens under 12 weeks should not receive these treats—the app will alert you if your kitten is too young.

Why KittySpout treats are different: Unlike typical cat treats (3-8 calories each), KittySpout treats are less than 2 calories per treat and contain functional ingredients like vitamins, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids. This means cats can enjoy more of them while staying within healthy calorie limits.

Your personalized recommendations: For cats 12+ weeks old, the app uses KittySpout's veterinary-approved feeding guide based on your cat's weight:

How it's scored:

For kittens under 12 weeks:

  • 0 treats: 15 points ✅ (Correct - kitten too young)

  • Any treats: 4 points ⚠️ (Warning - kitten should not have these treats yet)

For cats 12+ weeks old: The scoring adjusts automatically based on YOUR cat's weight:

  • Within recommended range: 15 points ✅ (Perfect for your cat's size!)

  • 1-2 over recommended: 12 points (Still acceptable)

  • 3-5 over recommended: 8 points ⚠️ (Getting excessive)

  • 6+ over recommended: 4 points ⚠️ (Too many)

Example: Luna weighs 12 lbs and is 6 months old, so she can have up to 15 KittySpout treats per day:

  • 10 treats → 15 points (perfect)

  • 16 treats → 12 points (slightly over, gentle reminder shown)

  • 20 treats → 8 points (warning shown)

Why this works: At only 2 calories per treat, even 15-20 treats represents just 30-40 calories—well within healthy treat guidelines for adult cats. Plus, the functional ingredients (vitamins, probiotics, omega-3s) provide genuine health benefits beyond simple indulgence.

Research basis:

  • WSAVA Guidelines: Treats should be <10% of daily calories

  • KittySpout treats at 2 calories each allow higher quantities while staying under this threshold

  • Feeding guide developed with veterinary input for optimal nutrition and appropriate age recommendations


🚽 Litter Box: 15 points (15%)

Why it's critical: Changes in litter box habits are often the earliest indicator of serious health issues like urinary blockages (life-threatening emergencies), UTIs, kidney disease, or diabetes.

How it's scored:

  • 0 visits: 5 points 🚨 - EMERGENCY: Could indicate urinary blockage

  • 1 visit: 8 points ⚠️ - Too few, possible constipation or reduced urination

  • 2 visits: 13 points - Slightly below normal

  • 3-6 visits: 15 points ✅ - Normal range

  • 7-8 visits: 10 points ⚠️ - Elevated, monitor for UTI symptoms

  • 9+ visits: 5 points 🚨 - Very concerning, potential UTI/diabetes/kidney issues

Research basis:

  • Cornell Feline Health Center: Normal cats urinate 2-4 times and defecate 1-2 times daily

  • Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Increased litter box frequency is a key diagnostic indicator for multiple diseases


⚡ Energy Level: 10 points (10%)

Why it's included: While more subjective than other metrics, lethargy is a universal symptom of illness in cats. Tracking energy helps detect when your cat isn't feeling well.

How it's scored:

  • 1 star (Lethargic): 2 points ⚠️ - Barely moving, sleeping more than usual

  • 2 stars (Sleepy): 6 points - Lower energy than normal

  • 3 stars (Normal): 10 points ✅ - Typical activity level

  • 4 stars (Playful): 10 points ✅ - Ideal, engaged and active

  • 5 stars (Very Active): 8 points - Very playful, might be overstimulated

Research basis:

  • Veterinary wellness protocols: Energy level is a standard assessment in feline health examinations

  • Changes in activity lasting 2+ days warrant veterinary attention


📊 What Your Score Means

90-100 points: Excellent 💚 Your cat is thriving! All metrics are in healthy ranges. Keep up the great work.

85-89 points: Very Good 💚 Your cat is doing well with minor areas to watch. Overall healthy.

70-84 points: Good 🟡 Most metrics are healthy, but there's room for improvement in 1-2 areas.

60-69 points: Fair 🟠 Multiple metrics need attention. Review the breakdown to see what needs improvement.

50-59 points: Concerning 🔴 Several health indicators are below optimal. Consider reviewing with your veterinarian.

Below 50: Urgent 🔴 Multiple critical health concerns detected. Veterinary consultation recommended.


🎯 Example: How a Score is Calculated

Meet Luna - Today's Log:

  • Hydration: Normal → 35 points

  • Feeding: 2 meals → 25 points

  • Treats: 11 treats → 8 points (over the 10% guideline)

  • Litter Box: 9 visits → 5 points (elevated, possible UTI)

  • Energy: 3 stars (Normal) → 10 points

Luna's Score: 83/100 - Good 🟡

What this means: Luna is mostly healthy, but her elevated litter box visits (9 times) and excessive treats (11) are areas of concern. The app would generate an alert recommending monitoring for UTI symptoms and reducing treat intake.


🔬 Why This Scoring System Works

✅ 1. Evidence-Based Weighting

Each metric's point value reflects its clinical importance:

  • Hydration (35%) - Most critical for long-term health

  • Feeding (25%) - Essential for metabolic stability

  • Treats (15%) - Significant obesity risk factor

  • Litter Box (15%) - Early disease detection

  • Energy (10%) - General wellness indicator

✅ 2. Early Detection

By tracking daily, you can spot concerning patterns before they become serious:

  • 2-3 days of low hydration → Clean the water bowl

  • 3+ days of low hydration → Vet check recommended

  • This catches problems in the early, treatable stages

✅ 3. Actionable Insights

The system doesn't just give you a number—it tells you:

  • What's working well

  • What needs attention

  • When to contact your vet

  • How to improve your cat's health

✅ 4. Veterinary Alignment

The scoring thresholds match clinical guidelines:

  • Hydration targets based on ml/kg body weight research

  • Feeding recommendations from AAFP protocols

  • Treat limits from WSAVA obesity prevention guidelines

  • Litter box norms from feline medicine textbooks


📚 Research Sources

This scoring system is based on research and guidelines from:

  • Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine - Feline Health Center

  • VCA Animal Hospitals - Veterinary care standards

  • Royal Canin Academy - Feline nutrition and hydration research

  • AAFP - American Association of Feline Practitioners

  • WSAVA - World Small Animal Veterinary Association

  • APOP - Association for Pet Obesity Prevention

  • Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Peer-reviewed feline health studies

  • Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery - Clinical feline research


💡 Remember

This score is a wellness tool, not a diagnosis. It helps you:

  • Track your cat's daily health patterns

  • Spot potential issues early

  • Make informed decisions about vet visits

  • Provide better care through consistent monitoring

When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian. The wellness score is designed to complement—not replace—professional veterinary care.


❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My cat got a low score one day. Should I panic? A: No! One day of a lower score isn't necessarily concerning. Look for patterns over 2-3 days. The app will alert you if something needs attention.

Q: Why is hydration weighted so heavily? A: Because chronic dehydration is the #1 preventable cause of kidney disease in cats, and kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death in felines. Early hydration monitoring can add years to your cat's life.

Q: Can I compare my cat's score to other cats? A: Not really—each cat is unique! Use the score to track YOUR cat's trends over time. A consistent 75 might be normal for your senior cat, while a 75 might indicate problems for your young, healthy cat.

Q: My cat scored 100! What now? A: Amazing! Keep up whatever you're doing. Consistency is key to long-term feline health.

Q: The score seems harsh on treats. Why? A: Because feline obesity is an epidemic affecting 60% of cats and dramatically increases disease risk. We're following WSAVA guidelines that treats should be <10% of daily calories—most cat owners significantly overfeed treats without realizing it.


Remember: You're doing great just by tracking! 🐱💚

Every log you make helps you understand your cat better and catch potential health issues early. That's what matters most.