Kitten Feeding Chart by Age: Calories and Meals
Kittens need two to three times resting energy. See calories by age, meal counts and when to move to adult food.
Kitten feeding in short
Kittens need two to two and a half times their resting energy, which is well above an adult cat of the same weight. They also need a growth formula and three to four small meals a day. Weigh your kitten each week, because steady gain tells you more than any chart.
For a starting number, use our kitten feeding calculator. Then read on to see how the plan changes from weaning to the first birthday.
Kitten calories by weight
| Kitten weight | Resting energy | Under 4 months (×2.5) | 4 to 12 months (×2.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 lb (0.9 kg) | ~65 | ~163 | ~130 |
| 3 lb (1.4 kg) | ~88 | ~220 | ~176 |
| 4 lb (1.8 kg) | ~109 | ~274 | ~219 |
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~148 | ~371 | ~297 |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~184 | ~460 | ~368 |
Pick the column that matches your kitten’s age. A kitten of 6 to 8 pounds is usually past four months, so use the 4 to 12 month column. All values are kcal per day. Weight changes fast, so redo the math every two weeks.
Meals by age
| Age | Meals per day | What to feed |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 weeks | 4 or more small meals | Kitten gruel, then wet food |
| 2 to 4 months | 4 | Growth formula, wet or mixed |
| 4 to 6 months | 3 to 4 | Growth formula |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 to 3 | Growth formula |
Newborns under four weeks nurse from their mother. Orphans need kitten milk replacer and a plan from a vet.
Weaning from four to eight weeks
Kittens start tasting solid food near four weeks. Most finish weaning by eight weeks. Mix kitten wet food with warm kitten milk replacer or water until it forms a thick gruel. Serve it on a shallow saucer, and thicken it over several days.
Cow’s milk is a poor choice at any age. Many cats lack enough lactase to digest it, and it can cause diarrhea.
Wet, dry, or both
Kittens have small mouths and fast metabolisms. Wet food is easy to eat, and it adds water. Kitten kibble is sized for small mouths and works once a kitten chews well. You can mix both, as long as you count each food’s calories toward the daily goal.
Choose a food that is “complete and balanced” for growth or for all life stages. AAFCO sets a 30 percent protein minimum for growth foods, against 26 percent for adult maintenance. Adult food also falls short on minerals such as calcium.
A worked example
Take a 4 lb kitten under four months old. Her resting energy is about 109 calories. Multiply by 2.5 and the goal is about 274 calories a day. Four meals give about 69 calories each. With a wet food at 80 calories per can, that is about 0.86 can per meal, or 3.4 cans a day.
To mix foods, split the calories first. Our wet vs. dry portions guide shows how.
Track growth every week
Weigh your kitten at the same time each week, ideally before a meal. Healthy kittens gain roughly 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces, per week in the early months. Write each number down. A steady line matters more than one reading.
Check body shape too. You should feel ribs under a thin layer of padding. A soft, rounded belly is normal in a kitten. If gain runs well above the pace, trim calories by about 10 percent. If gain stalls for two weeks, call your vet.
Free feeding or measured meals
Some vets allow free feeding of dry kitten food for lean, growing kittens. Measured meals give you better control, and they show appetite changes early. Pick the method that lets you track intake. Switch to measured meals if weight climbs faster than the weekly pace.
Treats and extras
Treats follow the same cap as for adults. Keep them under 10 percent of daily calories. For a 274 calorie kitten, that is about 27 calories. Small bits of the kitten’s own food work well for training.
Spay or neuter surgery and feeding
Calorie needs drop after spay or neuter surgery, while appetite often rises. Ask your vet when to schedule it. Weigh your kitten every week for the first month afterward. Trim portions by about 10 percent if weight climbs too fast, and keep feeding a growth formula until the vet clears a switch.
Moving to adult food
Most cats move to adult food near 12 months. Large breeds such as Maine Coons mature more slowly, so ask your vet about a later switch. Change over seven to ten days. Start with about 25 percent adult food, and raise the share every two or three days.
When to call the vet
Call the same day if a kitten refuses food, vomits more than once, has diarrhea, or seems weak. Young kittens lose body heat and fluid fast. Also call if the belly looks swollen or if weight drops between weigh-ins.
Common mistakes
Most kitten feeding problems come from the same few habits.
- Switching to adult food too early.
- Leaving food out and never weighing.
- Using adult calorie numbers for a growing kitten.
- Offering cow’s milk.
- Changing foods quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Can kittens eat adult cat food? A few bites do no harm. It should not be the main diet, because growth needs more protein and minerals.How many calories does an 8 week old kitten need? A 2 lb kitten needs about 163 calories by the table above. Weight varies, so use your kitten’s own number.How many meals should my kitten eat? Four a day for most kittens under four months. Later, see how often to feed a cat.Conclusion
Feed a growth formula in small, steady meals, and weigh weekly. Start with the calorie goal for your kitten’s weight and age, then let growth guide each change. Your vet should check any kitten that grows slowly or seems unwell.
Sources and further reading: WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines; AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines; NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. This article is educational and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.