How Much to Feed a Kitten: A Guide for Cat Owners
Your kitten has limitless energy. They’re always running and jumping, pouncing, and exploring. Given all that activity, your sweet feline friend will need all the healthy food they can get! But how much should you feed a kitten?
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about your kitty’s nutritional needs and offer tips to make feeding easy.
Table of Contents
Kittens will need special attention at mealtime until they are one year old. Because they’re so active, you’ll have to ensure your kitten not only has nutritious food but also consumes enough calories to fuel all that playful energy! Let’s take a look.
Nutrients
Kittens need a complete, well-balanced diet full of nutrients compared to adult cat food. Here are some specifics:
High-quality protein sources like fish, chicken, or beef
Adequate levels of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron for developing strong bones and teeth
Animal-derived fatty acids for brain and eye development
Vitamins and minerals to support growth and development.
It’s important to choose cat food specially formulated for kittens. Not only will it have the right balance of nutrients, but the food will also be made just for a kitten’s tiny teeth and mouth.
Calories Required
Your kitten will also need extra calories for all that growth — especially if they are high-energy. The exact number of calories changes based on their age, so let’s dive into that now.
How Much to Feed a Kitten: By Age
Newborn to Four Weeks
For the first four weeks, your kitten is best served sticking with their mom. Mother’s milk is the perfect diet for your wee little feline! However, if mom’s not around, then it’s your job to bottle feed your kitten.
Ask your vet for a kitten milk replacement formula fortified with the right nutrients. Use as directed in the feeding guide or directions.
Four to Eight Weeks
By four weeks, your kitten will be ready to wean off bottle feeding and start with wet or dry kitten food. During the transitional time, water down their kitten food and feed that instead of kitten milk replacement formula for a few of their meals.
Every day you can substitute more feedings with watered down solids until your kitten has fully transitioned. Shoot for four to six meals a day which means feeding kitty every four to six hours.
Eight to Sixteen Weeks
Your little kitty is getting bigger and is ready for more traditional kitten food with all the nutrients necessary for healthy development. Total caloric intake should increase to about 250 calories a day by the time they hit four months, divided between three to four meals.
Four to Six Months
Between four and six months, your kitten will need to consume about 60 to 65 calories per pound of bodyweight per day, over three to four daily feedings.
Six Months to One Year
At this point, if you’re scheduling feedings, you can cut down to just two a day: morning and evening.
A typical kitten weighing 5.5 lbs would need about 275 calories per day. At 12 months of age, this would decrease as they are transitioning into adult life stage.
You can also start giving your kitty treats at this time but be sure that treats don’t account for more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
After One Year
Once your kitty celebrates their first birthday, they can slowly transition to adult food! TEMPTATIONS™ Tempting Tuna and Chicken Flavor(open in new tab) dry cat food is 100% complete and balanced for adult cats, containing 35 essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
If your cat prefers wet food, give them great taste and nutrition in a range of delicious flavors with our Tasty Chicken and Seafood Medley Bites(open in new tab) in Gravy Variety Pack!
Although your feline’s age will give you a good idea of how much to feed a kitten, there are other factors to consider.
These could include the size of your kitten, their activity level, weight, and other individual needs. Talk to your vet about specific feeding guidelines and to determine whether adjustments are needed to food offerings.
Weight
You also want to look at your cat’s weight to calibrate their feeding. Kittens should continuously gain weight month over month (~1 pound per month). Continue to monitor their progress with your veterinarian. If they’re well over or under, you’ll want to adjust their caloric intake accordingly.
Read the Label
Make sure whatever food you choose has an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO(open in new tab)) statement of nutritional adequacy specifically for kittens.
Keep an Eye on Calories
When we talk about how much you should feed your kitten, keep in mind it’s more a question of calories than portion size.
Wet vs. Dry Food
Kitten food can either be wet or dry. It’s a good idea to feed your kitty a little of both as each has unique nutritional benefits. Because wet food has a lot of water, it can help support your kitten’s hydration. However, dry food is excellent for dental health, not to mention a bit more cost-efficient.
Talk to Your Vet
Again, the best thing to do when deciding what to feed your new feline friend is to talk to your vet. They can help sort through food options, set a daily caloric goal, and advise on the optimal number of feedings.
What about Treats?
As we said, once your kitty is six months old, it’s OK to start giving them treats. Think of these as nutritious snacks to celebrate a job well done or to tide them over between meals.
With just a shake, your kitty will come running for TEMPTATIONS™ Chicken and Dairy Kitten Treats(open in new tab)! These treats feature a crunchy exterior and creamy center and are 100% nutritionally complete. Our treats are a fun addition to your kitty’s mealtime routine, with nutrition you can feel good about.
For a feline friend who prefers a seafood snack, our Salmon and Dairy Kitten Treats(open in new tab) are the purr-fect catch! And they won’t spoil your kitten’s dinner because each treat is less than two calories.
Here are a few extra tips to make the most of your kitten’s mealtime.
Vary Your Kitten’s Diet
Variety is the key when it comes to your kitten’s diet. You want your cat to change their source of protein, so they get a wide range of nutrients. It will also keep them from getting bored(open in new tab) or, worse yet, picky.
Introduce New Foods Slowly
When it comes to introducing new foods, try one at a time, a little at a time. It can take a bit for your kitten to get used to the new flavor or texture.
Keep an Eye on Your Kitten’s Appetite
Your kitten will make it known if they’re still hungry. Follow their cues.
That said, keep in mind that if your cat suddenly doesn’t want to eat or can never seem to get enough to eat, it could be a sign of a health issue. Always consult your veterinarian if you notice any irregular appetite changes in your kitten.
Watch Kitty’s Weight
As we said, your kitten should grow consistently from month to month. If you believe they are over- or under-eating, consult your veterinarian on their weight to determine whether to feed more or less.
Purr-fect Mealtimes!
Now that you know what to look for in kitten food and how much to feed your kitten based on their age, weight, and activity, it’s time to make the menu! Remember to choose a formula specially made for kittens and talk to your vet if you have any questions or concerns.
And whether it’s for a special occasion or just because, don’t forget the kitten treats(open in new tab)! Our TEMPTATIONS™ Chicken and Dairy Kitten Treats(open in new tab) and Salmon and Dairy Kitten Treats(open in new tab) use real meat and no artificial flavors.
Your cat will lose their cool for TEMPTATIONS™!
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