How Much Should I Feed My Kitten
Written in collaboration with vets
Kittens start life with a tiny stomach, about the size of a human thumbnail. However, their bodies develop at such a rapid rate that they require nutrients that will nourish them and support their growth and development for their growth phases. In this article, Whiskas answers some common questions kitten owners have around how often they should feed their kittens and how much wet or dry food to give them.
Can you overfeed a kitten?
From a kitten’s first few weeks of life up until they reach four months, their metabolism is at its all-time high as they are constantly growing and using larger amounts of nutrients. It’s almost impossible to overfeed your kitten during this time. However, keep in mind that feeding kittens should be done frequently but in small amounts throughout the day, in order not to overload their tiny stomachs.
How often should I feed my kitten?
Wondering how much to feed a kitten? Feeding your kitten the right amount at the right time plays a vital role in supporting their healthy growth and development. Kittens experience all sorts of physical and behavioural changes during the first year of their life, so it’s important that they enjoy a diet that’s balanced, nutritious, and well-suited to their specific stage of development. Since every kitten is different, there aren’t really set universal feeding times or portion sizes that must be followed. Factors like breed, age, size, and energy levels all influence how much and how often they should eat. Keep a keen eye on your kitten’s weight and appetite as they grow, so you can gain a deeper understanding of what sort of feeding schedule they need.
So, how much should kittens eat? Take a look at the table below for a general guideline on feeding frequencies and portion sizes at different stages of growth. It includes dry food portion suggestions, along with how much wet food to feed a kitten, as feeding both wet and dry kitten food will promote better hydration and a balanced diet for the kitten. It’s important to note that this is a general guide, specific feeding advice will vary between manufacturers so always follow the feeding guide on the pack. And of course, individual kitten needs may vary, so we suggest getting in touch with your vet for more tailored advice and personalised guidance.
Age | Wet food (per day) | Dry food (per day) | Feeding frequency |
4–8 weeks | 3–4 small meals (200g total) | Optional: small amounts | 4 meals/day |
8–12 weeks (most kittens leave their mums at 12 weeks) | 250g (split into separate meals) | 20–30g | 4 meals/day |
3–6 months | 250–300g wet food (split into separate meals) | 30–40g | 3–4 meals/day |
6–12 months | 300g wet food (split into separate meals) | 40–50g | 2–3 meals/day |
Can kittens eat dry food
Kittens start eating solid food around 3-4 weeks, beginning a gradual weaning process from mother's milk to soft food, with signs of readiness including chewing and emerging teeth. Just like humans, kittens have two sets of teeth: deciduous teeth (known as baby teeth) and adult teeth. Their baby teeth start to erupt through the gums at 2-3 weeks old and by just 12 weeks of age, the set of 26 deciduous teeth will start to fall out as they make way for the adult teeth. At 4 months old, kittens’ adult teeth start coming in and by 6 months old, all 30 adult teeth should be present.
Dry food has advantages such as being more convenient to serve, not spoiling as fast as wet food and helping to provide abrasion on the surface of the teeth to clean the surface by removing some of the plaque. Wet food contains natural moisture and is a healthy addition to dry food as it helps cats to maintain hydration which is good for their urinary tract health. All cats have different food preferences including texture and favourite flavours, so if your kitten prefers dry food then you can feed them a dry food diet, as long as you make sure they are getting the right amount of nutrition their body needs and either way, ensure a bowl of fresh water is always available.
From 8 weeks old, Whiskas recommends that kittens get two-thirds of their daily calories from kitten wet food and one-third from kitten dry food. However, if you prefer to feed your kitten dry food only, always provide fresh drinking water. To make dry food easier and more appealing to eat, you can mix it with a little fresh warm water to make it mushier and bring out the aromas. It’s also good to mix in a little fresh water if your kitten is not drinking enough from their water bowl. For further advice on achieving the best kitten food diet, contact a vet.
Wet vs. dry food: What's best for your kitten?
Every owner wants to make the best choices for their cat, particularly when it comes to their nutrition and knowing how much to feed a kitten. Both wet and dry kitten foods offer multiple benefits, and understanding these can help you create an ideal feeding routine that works for your cute companion:
- Wet food has a high moisture content, which helps keep your kitten hydrated. This can be especially important if you notice they’re not drinking enough water. As it’s soft in texture with quite a strong scent, wet food can often be more appealing to picky eaters or kittens transitioning from milk to food.
- Dry food is generally considered to be more convenient when it comes to storing and serving. It also supports your kitten’s oral health, helping to reduce plaque buildup as they bite the dry biscuits.
Like lots of kitten owners, you might decide to try a combination of wet and dry food. This blend will offer all of the above benefits while keeping mealtimes interesting. This balance can also be a more engaging option for fussy eaters, as a mix of wet and dry foods provides them with different textures and flavours. If you find yourself asking: “How often should kittens eat?”, check out the table above for some guidance. Instinctively, cats would choose to eat several small meals a day. Leaving their daily allowance of dry food available for them to graze on and having 2 or 3 meal occasions when they are served wet food often works really well for cats. Dry food or treats can also be used in puzzle feeders placed around the home, adding mental stimulation and tasty rewards into their day!
Transitioning from kitten to adult food
Kitten food is specially formulated to support rapid growth, high energy needs, and developmental milestones in their lives. At around 12 months old, it’s time to change your kitten’s food to an adult food that’s designed to meet the nutritional needs of fully grown cats. This will help to support their long-term wellbeing, as well as manage a stable and healthy weight. But this change shouldn’t happen overnight. Sudden dietary shifts can cause digestive upset for your kitten, so it’s important to start the transition gradually over 7 to 10 days.
Start by mixing a small portion of adult food with their usual kitten food, slowly increasing the ratio of adult food each day until they’re only eating the adult cat food. A slow and steady approach will allow your cat’s system to adapt, giving them time to adjust to new ingredients, flavours, and textures.
Watch for any signs of sensitivity or reluctance in your cat during the food changes. Check out our useful guides for more advice on weaning kittens correctly, and to learn more about when kittens can eat adult food.
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Monitoring your kitten's weight and health
It’s important to monitor your cat’s health and weight throughout their life, and this habit is best started while they’re still a kitten. Regular weight checks at home or during vet visits are a great way to ensure your kitten is growing at a healthy pace (and staying within the right weight range for their breed and size). Pay attention to their body condition too: a healthy kitten should have ribs that are easy to feel but not too prominent. They should also have a visible waistline when you look down at them from above.
Routine veterinary check-ups are vital, especially during your kitten’s first year of life. Your vet can track their growth, catch any early health concerns, and offer expert advice on everything from feeding and behaviour to overall care.
It’s worth noting that both overfeeding and underfeeding your kitten can lead to a whole host of health problems that need to be addressed quickly. Overfed kittens can become overweight, sluggish, and experience digestive discomfort. On the other hand, underfed kittens may appear underweight, weak, or less active than expected for their age. If you’re unsure how much to feed your kitten or notice any concerning changes in them, consult your vet.
Remember that kittens will keep growing until 12 months old, and some will even continue to develop beyond that age!
Common feeding mistakes to avoid
Feeding your kitten can be simple and straightforward, but there are a few common mistakes that are easy to make. Here are are some key issues to watch out for:
- Overfeeding: While kittens need plenty of energy to support their growth, giving them too much food can lead to weight gain and digestive upset. Always follow feeding guidelines based on their age and weight, and adjust portions as they grow and their needs change.
- Inappropriate foods: Offering your kitten things like adult cat food or human food can do more harm than good. These foods often lack the essential nutrients kittens need and may even cause illness. Stick to high-quality, specially formulated kitten food until they’re ready to transition to adult cat food at 12 months of age.
- Inconsistent feeding schedules: Random meal times can disrupt your kitten’s digestion and lead to behavioural issues like food anxiety or begging. Feeding at consistent times each day helps regulate their metabolism and sets healthy habits early on.
For more expert advice, browse our kitten feeding tips.
How often should I feed my kitten - FAQS
How much food should a kitten eat in a day?
The amount of food a kitten should eat in a day depends on a range of factors, including your kitten’s age, weight, and activity level. Most kittens need multiple small meals a day, especially in their early months. Always follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging of your chosen kitten food.
Is 2 cans of wet food a day enough for a kitten?
Always follow the feeding guidelines on the pack for advice on how much wet food is enough for a kitten.
Will kittens stop eating when they're full?
Not all kittens will stop eating when they’re full. Some are naturally more able to self-regulate, while others may overeat if food is constantly available. This is one reason why set meal times and portion control are so important during the early stages of their life.
How many pouches should I feed my kitten?
Most young kittens eat around 3 or 4 small meals every day, which may equal approximately 2–4 pouches depending on their age and appetite. Always follow the feeding guide on your food’s packaging for specific advice if you’re unsure.
