How much should a kitten eat?

As your kitten grows, it needs different food and different ways of feeding to support its health during its first 12 months before it reaches adulthood.

Kitten Sacred Birman sitting indoors eating from a white bowl.

Kitten nutrition and food quality, are both vital, but the amount and calorie content of the food is important too.

A kitten’s first food experience can impact their relationship with food during their lifetime, so it is a critical milestone in your kitten's life. Most kittens and cats enjoy both dry and wet food, so introducing both types of food early on can help establish healthy habits.

To get you started, here's our guide on how much to feed a kitten and when.

How often should I feed my kitten?

Kittens have small stomachs but big appetites, so they may eat many small meals throughout the day. Although they can eat up to 16 times a day, you should aim to give smaller meals 4-6 times a day during the early weeks of their lives.

Between 4 and 6 months, as they - and their stomach - grow, they’ll be able to take on more food in each meal. Over time, you can transition them to twice-daily meals, giving larger amounts of food but less often.

Some owners may decide to place their kitten's entire recommended daily feed amount out at once to allow them to self-regulate their feeding. In this situation, what remains in the bowl should be discarded after 2 hours if it's wet food and 24 hours for dry food.

Kitten feeding chart by age

How much to feed a kitten from birth to 8 weeks

From birth to a month old, your kitten will be getting all the nutrition they need from their mother's milk, called colostrum. This helps support their immune system in early life.

You should ensure your kitten is fed:

- 8 meals per day during the first week
- 5 meals per day during the second week
- 4 meals per day during the 3rd week (and the same during their 4th week if needed)

Your kitten will gain weight steadily from birth as they grow into adult cats. This weight gain will be quickest during the first 8 weeks of their lives, decreasing the speed of growth at 6 months until they reach adulthood at 12 months.

During this period, you should weigh them every day. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with a weight chart that maps out their optimal weight throughout kittenhood. If their weight stagnates or drops, or if you're concerned they're overweight, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.

Between 3 and 5 weeks old, your kitten will start to show an interest in solid food, and you can begin weaning. This will generally last between 3 and 4 weeks. You can help the transition by feeding them wet food such as a Mother and Babycat mousse which is easy to eat. Or if you use dry kibble, mix it with a kitten milk replacer (or water if needed) to a mushy consistency for easier chewing.

How much to feed your kitten from 8 weeks to 4 months

By now, your kitten should be eating solid foods and be totally weaned from their mother's milk or kitten milk replacer. Choose food which is specifically designed for kittens, which will support their growth and development. Find out more about what to feed your kitten.

You can begin to set good eating habits by making sure you space out your kitten's food, play, sleep and litter areas, echoing what they would do naturally. Have plenty of fresh water available, too, to keep your kitten hydrated.

Kitten cat sitting indoors by a silver bowl.

How much to feed a kitten from 4 months to 12 months

As your cat matures, maintain good feeding habits and avoid stress by letting it eat in peace in a calm place. Lots of kittens will self-regulate their eating, so you can leave out the total recommended portion of food for the day and allow them to revisit their bowl as many times as they like. Again, always discard wet food after it's been for over 2 hours and dry food for longer than 24 hours.

If you choose to get your cat spayed or neutered, there is the risk they'll gain weight rapidly after the procedure as their energy expenditure reduces by 30%, yet their appetite increases by up to 26%. Choose a food that's specially formulated for spayed or neutered kittens, which is appropriate for their breed and gender, and monitor their weight closely.

How much food for indoor vs. outdoor kittens and cats?

Indoor cats with sedentary lifestyles usually need less energy than outdoor cats, so it's important to give them an appropriate portion to avoid them gaining weight and suffering from health problems.

There are tailored indoor and outdoor cat foods available. Outdoor cat foods will generally be higher in fat and proteins which gives them the energy they need. However, it does put kittens at a higher risk of over-feeding, so keep an eye on their weight. Indoor cat food generally can have lower energy and higher fiber content, and if an indoor cat is very active, you should consider adjusting their diet accordingly.

How much wet food should a kitten eat?

Using the weight of your kitten, look at the back of your kitten food or the product information online to find a feeding guideline that will tell you how much to feed your kitten per day. Always adjust the amount of food to maintain an ideal body condition score of 4.5. The Body Condition Chart is available on Royal Canin Food Labels.

Most kittens and cats enjoy dry and wet food, so introducing both types of food early on can help them develop healthy eating habits. If you're feeding a cat a mixed diet of wet and dry food, there are mixed feeding tables available to help you work out what your cat needs.

Setting up good feeding behaviors and providing your kitten with the right food for their needs can help them become a happy and healthy adult. If you're not sure of the right way to feed your cat, please contact your veterinarian for advice.

FAQs

How do I know if my kitten is eating too much?

Overeating in kittens can lead to rapid weight gain, which may cause long-term health problems. Watch for the signs like excess abdominal fat, are ribs easily palpable and if the waist is expanding to determine if your kitten might be overeating:

Rapid weight gain: Regularly weigh your kitten to ensure their growth is steady and within the recommended range for their age.
Distended belly after meals: A slightly rounded belly is normal, but if it’s excessively swollen or hard, it might indicate overeating.
Unfinished meals: If food is left in the bowl consistently, you may be offering too much.

What if my kitten doesn't want to eat?

It’s common for kittens to occasionally lose interest in food, but persistent loss of appetite can be a sign of an underlying issue. Here’s what you can do:

Check their environment: Ensure their feeding area is calm and away from loud noises or distractions.
Offer fresh food: Replace old food with fresh portions, especially for wet food, which can become unappealing after sitting out for too long.
Experiment with textures: Some kittens prefer wet food over dry food (or vice versa). Try mixing dry food with a small amount of warm water or kitten milk replacer to make it more palatable.
Monitor for illness: If your kitten shows additional signs like lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If your kitten refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, consult your veterinarian to rule out any health concerns.