How Much Should a Kitten Eat? Complete Feeding Guide

A growing kitten isn't a small adult cat—they're a tiny furnace burning calories at an incredible rate. While adult cats need careful portion control, kittens need fuel. Lots of fuel.

Get feeding wrong and you risk stunted growth, developmental problems, or obesity habits that follow them into adulthood. Get it right and you're setting them up for a healthy life.

Here's exactly what and how much to feed your kitten at every age.

The Kitten Metabolism: Why They Need So Much Food

Calorie Requirements

A kitten's calorie needs are dramatically higher than an adult cat:

• Adult cat: ~25-30 calories per pound of body weight
• Growing kitten: ~60-65 calories per pound of body weight

That's more than double the energy requirement. A 2-pound kitten may need 120-130 calories per day—the same as a 5-pound adult cat.

Why So Many Calories?

Between 4 weeks and 6 months, kittens:

• Triple to quadruple their body weight
• Develop their skeleton and organ systems
• Build muscle mass
• Develop their immune system
• Learn to hunt and play (burning enormous energy)

All of this requires constant fuel. An underfed kitten doesn't just feel hungry—they don't grow properly.

Feeding Schedule by Age

Newborn to 4 Weeks: Mother's Milk Only

If you have a newborn kitten, they should be with their mother. Nursing provides:

• Complete nutrition
• Antibodies for immune protection
• Hydration
• Comfort and warmth

If motherless: Bottle-feed kitten milk replacer (KMR) every 2-3 hours around the clock. Never use cow's milk—it causes digestive upset.

This guide assumes you have a kitten 4+ weeks old.

4-5 Weeks: The Weaning Phase

Kittens begin weaning around 4 weeks. This is the transition from milk to solid food.

What to offer:

• Wet kitten food mixed with kitten formula to create a "gruel"
• Make it soupy at first, gradually thicken over 2-3 weeks
• Small amounts many times per day

How much: Let them eat until they lose interest, typically 4-6 small meals per day

Still nursing: Kittens may still nurse if mom is present. That's fine—they'll gradually shift to solid food.

6-8 Weeks: Solid Food Established

By 8 weeks, kittens should be eating solid food exclusively.

What to offer:

• Quality wet kitten food (3/4 of diet)
• Quality dry kitten food (1/4 of diet)

How much per day:

Feeding frequency: 4 meals per day minimum

8-12 Weeks: Rapid Growth Phase

This is the fastest growth period. Kittens may double their weight.

What to offer:

• High-quality kitten wet food (primary)
• Dry kitten food (always available for grazing)

How much per day:

Feeding frequency: 3-4 scheduled wet food meals + dry food available 24/7

The "free-feeding" exception: Unlike adult cats, kittens CAN free-feed dry food during this phase. Their tiny stomachs can only hold small amounts, so they need to eat 10-12 times per day. Leave dry kitten food available between scheduled wet food meals.

3-6 Months: Steady Growth

Growth continues but begins to slow slightly.

What to offer:

• High-quality kitten wet food
• Dry kitten food

How much per day:

Feeding frequency: 3 scheduled meals + dry food still available OR transition to dry at scheduled times only

6-12 Months: Approaching Adulthood

Growth slows, but they're still developing.

What to offer:

• Kitten food until 12 months (they still need extra calories and nutrients)
• Begin transitioning from free-feeding to measured meals

How much per day:

Feeding frequency: 2-3 meals per day (transitioning to adult schedule)

12+ Months: Transition to Adult

Around 12 months, switch from kitten food to adult formula.

The transition:

• Day 1-2: 75% kitten food, 25% adult food
• Day 3-5: 50/50 mix
• Day 6-8: 25% kitten, 75% adult
• Day 9+: 100% adult food

Monitor weight carefully during transition. If they're gaining too much, you may need to reduce portions.

Choosing the Right Food

What to Look For

Protein content: 30-40% minimum (kittens need high protein) Named meat source: First ingredient should be specific (chicken, salmon, turkey—not "meat" or "by-products") AAFCO statement: Look for "complete and balanced for growth" or "complete and balanced for all life stages" Taurine: Essential amino acid for heart and eye health (should be listed) DHA: For brain and eye development (especially important in kittens)

Wet Food vs. Dry Food

Wet food (canned/pouches):

• ✅ Higher moisture content (good for hydration)
• ✅ Higher protein, lower carbohydrates
• ✅ More palatable for most kittens
• ✅ Easier to eat for young kittens
• ⚠️ More expensive per calorie
• ⚠️ Spoils if left out

Dry food (kibble):

• ✅ Convenient and affordable
• ✅ Can be left out for grazing
• ✅ Good for dental health (debated)
• ⚠️ Lower moisture content
• ⚠️ Higher in carbohydrates
• ⚠️ Some cats become "carb addicts" and refuse wet food

The ideal: A combination. Wet food as the primary diet (2/3 of calories) with dry food available for snacking (1/3 of calories).

Foods to Avoid

Never feed kittens:

• Dog food (lacks taurine—causes heart disease in cats)
• Raw eggs (biotin deficiency risk + salmonella)
• Raw fish (thiamine deficiency)
• Milk/cream (lactose intolerance causes diarrhea)
• Onions, garlic, chives (toxic)
• Grapes/raisins (kidney failure)
• Chocolate (toxic)
• Xylitol (toxic)

Common Feeding Mistakes

Mistake 1: Underfeeding

A thin, bony kitten isn't a "small cat"—they're underfed. You should be able to feel ribs with light pressure, but not see them prominently.

Mistake 2: Overfeeding After 6 Months

While kittens need more calories, obesity habits start young. Transition from free-feeding to measured meals by 6-7 months.

Mistake 3: Not Enough Wet Food

Dry food is convenient but shouldn't be the entire diet. Cats evolved to get moisture from food. Chronic dehydration (from dry-only diets) contributes to kidney disease later in life.

Mistake 4: Sudden Food Changes

Switching foods abruptly causes digestive upset. Always transition gradually over 7-10 days.

Mistake 5: Leaving Wet Food Out Too Long

Wet food left at room temperature for more than 2-4 hours can harbor bacteria. Serve fresh portions at each meal.

Mistake 6: Treating with Human Food

Teaching kittens to beg for human food creates a lifetime of annoying behavior. If you want to give treats, use cat-specific treats sparingly.

Signs Your Kitten Is Eating the Right Amount

Healthy Signs ✅

• Steady weight gain (track weekly)
• Shiny coat
• Clear eyes
• Active and playful
• Forming solid stools

Underfed Signs ⚠️

• Ribs, spine, hip bones easily visible
• Lack of energy
• Dull coat
• Slow growth compared to littermates
• Always hungry, eating non-food items

Overfed Signs ⚠️

• Belly bulge that doesn't go away
• Can't feel ribs at all
• Reluctance to play
• Heavy breathing after minimal activity

Special Situations

Kitten Won't Eat

Possible causes:

1. Stress: New environment, new people
2. Illness: Any sick kitten who won't eat needs a vet
3. Food preference: Try a different flavor or texture
4. Temperature: Some kittens prefer slightly warmed food

If a kitten doesn't eat for 24 hours, see a vet. Kittens can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) quickly when not eating.

Multiple Kittens

When feeding a litter:

• Multiple food stations prevent competition
• Watch for bullying and resource guarding
• Some kittens will need more than others—adjust individually

Orphaned Kittens

If you're bottle-feeding:

• Use kitten milk replacer (KMR), NOT cow's milk
• Feed every 2-3 hours for the first 2 weeks
• Weigh daily to track growth
• Begin weaning at 4 weeks
• This is hard—consider fostering to a rescue with experience

Tracking Growth

Weight monitoring is the best way to ensure proper nutrition.

Expected Weight Gain

• Birth: 3-4 oz
• 1 week: 4-6 oz
• 2 weeks: 6-8 oz
• 3 weeks: 8-12 oz
• 4-5 weeks: 12 oz-1 lb
• 6-7 weeks: 1-1.5 lbs
• 8 weeks: 1.5-2 lbs
• 12 weeks: 3-4 lbs
• 16 weeks: 4-5 lbs
• 6 months: 6-8 lbs
• 12 months: 8-11 lbs (breed-dependent)

Weigh weekly on a kitchen scale. Consistent growth is more important than hitting exact numbers.

The Bottom Line

Feeding a kitten is different from feeding an adult cat. They need:

• More calories per pound
• More frequent meals
• Free access to food (until 6-7 months)
• High-quality kitten-specific food
• Both wet and dry food ideally

Watch their growth, not just their bowl. A consistently growing kitten with bright eyes and a shiny coat is getting the nutrition they need.

And remember: kitten stomachs are walnut-sized. They literally can't eat enough in one sitting. Feed small amounts, often, and let them grow.

Related: Kitten Teething Timeline Related: Toxic Foods for Cats