How many wet food should a kitten eat
Feeding Kittens 101: What to Feed, How Much, and How Often
What to Feed Kittens
Your kittens dietary requirements are going to be different from an adult cats dietary requirements. To help a kitten grow healthy and strong, their food typically requires:
Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP of the Cats Only Veterinary Clinic in Ottawa, ON, Canada, described this in detail at the Central Veterinary Conference 2013 in Kansas City: Young cats have growth requirements, which include an increased proportion of animal-based protein and more calcium and phosphorus.1
Your new kitten will likely have tons of energy and engage in rowdy play, so their food needs to support their body as they burn calories exercising as well as expend energy for growth.
Feeding Kittens Wet Versus Dry Food
Wet and dry cat food are commonly available in kitten formulations, and there are pros and cons to feeding each. To decide which option best suits your kittens needs, talk with your veterinarian and get their recommendation. Here are some pros and cons of each:
Wet cat food is higher in moisture, so it can be beneficial in keeping kittens hydrated, flushing out the urinary tract, and helping kidneys stay healthy. However, wet food tends to stick to the teeth more, which can be associated with dental disease and painful cavity-type problems for cats.
Dry cat food is easier to feed in mutli-cat homes and can help scrape tartar from the teeth. However, some cats can overeat with dry food and gain excessive weight, which can be associated with arthritis, heart problems, blood pressure problems, respiratory problems, or diabetes mellitusjust to name a few.
How to Select a High-Quality Kitten Food
It may take some initial time and energy in determining which food is right for your kitten, but your efforts will be rewarded in a healthy, happy, beautiful kitten.
The best way to find the healthiest kitten food is to compare foods, choose a few possible options, and then talk with your veterinarian about which of those is best for your kitten. Consider the protein source in the food and pick a diet that does not contain a lot of filler ingredients.
How Much to Feed a Kitten
Kittens are growing rapidly at this young age and eat a lot of food compared to adult cats. We want to provide their bodies with everything necessary for growth, but we also want to develop healthy long-term eating habits.
Feeding guidelines are variable by kitten. However, most often, using the feeding directions on the bag or can of food is a good starting place, and then you can adjust as needed for your kitten. Your veterinarian can use metabolic formulas to calculate the number of calories required per day based on your kittens current weight.
We want kittens to come hungry for their meal, but we also dont want them to be feeling so hungry that they devour the entire meal in a few seconds. Often, young kittens may eat to cup of food at a time.
If your kitten is thin, we may need to increase the caloric requirement per day. If your kitten is gaining too much weight too quickly, we may need to cut back. Your veterinarian will use a tool called a body condition score to assess your kittens weight.
Healthy Kitten Growth Rate
A general rule of thumb in kittens is that they typically gain about 1 pound per month.
Often, a kittens weight is about 1 pound at 1 month (4 weeks), 2 pounds at 2 months (8 weeks), and so on until about 4-5 months.
Kittens do most of their growing (both height and weight) within the first year and then stabilize from there. Many of the growth plates of the bones in the kitten skeleton close by about one year old.
At this time, after much of the growth is finished, your vet will typically switch your kitten to an adult diet.
Feeding Methods for Kittens
There are two main ways to feed kittens. Each of these ways have pros and cons, so consider the details and talk with your veterinarian about free-feeding versus portioned meal feeding.
Free-Feeding Method
Free-feeding kittens is usually done with dry food, leaving a bowl out all the time so the food is readily available. This is convenient for pet parents, especially if they have busy schedules.
The benefit to this type of feeding is that your kitten can eat when they want and ideally self-regulate how much they need.
One disadvantage to this is that some kittens will overeat and gain excessive weight. Another disadvantage is that in a multiple-cat household, the older cats have access to and may be eating the kitten food.
This is not always healthy for the older cats needs, and more dominant cats may control the kittens access to the food bowl. In these cases, the kitten may not be getting enough to eat. It can be hard to track an individual cats eating habits when they share a free-feeding bowl.
One way to deal with this is by using a microchip-activated feeder that only opens when it scans your kittens microchip. Just make sure another cat is not guarding this feeder and keeping the kitten from eating.
Meal-Feeding Method
Meal-feeding kittens is the second option for feeding. This works well with wet food that cant be left out all day. Feeding specific portions at certain times is also helpful for monitoring exactly how much and what kind of food each cat is eating in a multiple-cat home.
Meal-feeding is more time-intensive for pet parents and tends to require a more routine schedule. You need to make sure you are able to feed your kitten often enough with this type of feeding. There are some cat food bowls that work on timers to automatically release a measured amount of dry food at specified times.
Kittens can also learn to use their instinctual hunting behavior to work for part of their daily food. This helps keep your kitten healthy mentally and physically.
There are many interactive bowls, balls that disperse dry food slowly, and other options available to keep your kitten occupied so his/her meal is not gone in a few seconds.
How Often to Feed Kittens
Younger kittens (6-16 weeks) need to be fed several meals per day, if you are not free-feeding.
As they are growing and burning calories, we want to keep their bodies supplied with energy. Feed meals every 6-8 hours.
Your veterinarian will figure out the total daily calories that your kitten needs, and you can divide that between the number of meals per day. Typically, by the time kittens get to 4-5 months, they can be transitioned to two meals per day, still feeding the total number of daily calories, but in less frequent, larger meals.
Reasons Your Kitten May Not Be Eating
If your new kitten is not eating well or has diarrhea, call your vet and schedule another checkup.
Sometimes intestinal parasites can cause gastrointestinal upset in kittens. It is common for kittens to come home already infected with parasites. They can get some parasites through the placenta before birth as well as in the milk from the mother cat.
Some of these parasites can also be transmitted to people, so good hygiene and preventive care are important.
Bottle Feeding/Orphaned Kittens
Sometimes a mama cat is no longer able to care for her kittens, and we need to help them. This is a big but rewarding task to take on.
These kittens are often days to a week old (they may still even have their eyes closed). They must be bottle fed, every few hours, initially, with kitten milk replacer formulas.
You also need to use a washcloth to gently wipe their genitals after eating to stimulate urination and defecation, as they are unable to do this themselves in the first few weeks.
These bottle-fed kittens are very loyal and loving, but they do require extra attention regarding socialization since the mother cat is unavailable to teach them acceptable play and biting behaviors.
A good reminder comes from Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition). Kittens that are abandoned by their mothers should be carefully examined for visible birth defects such as a cleft palate and medical attention provided by a veterinarian if necessary. Supplementation with a milk replacement formula or a surrogate mother will be necessary to raise abandoned or orphaned kittens. 2
To learn more about cat pregnancy and kitten care, check out PetMDs complete cat pregnancy and kitten guide.
References
References:
Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP: Feeding Cats with Different Nutritional Needs: A Dilemma in the Multicat Household, Central Veterinary Conference 2013 - Kansas City.
Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition): Neonatal Nutrition: Feeding Puppies and Kittens from Birth to Weaning, 41st Annual OAVT Conference & Trade Show.
Featured Image: iStock.com/chendongshan
How Much Should You Feed a Kitten? Vet Approved Chart
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreBringing home a new kitten is exciting but can also be overwhelming, especially for first-time cat owners. Its very important to nail your kittens nutrition to ensure they grow up to be strong and healthy. If youre not sure what or how often you should be feeding your new baby, youve come to the right place. Read on to learn everything youve ever wanted to know about feeding a newborn kitten to ensure optimal growth and wellness.
Feeding Requirements by Age
04 Weeks Old
Newborn kittens will nurse from their mothers frequently, as often as every two hours during their first seven days of life. After that first week, theyll gradually decrease these feeds to around four to six times daily. Kittens in this age range should gain about 15 to 20 grams of weight every day. If you notice a kitten lagging, you may need to supplement them with a high-quality cat milk replacement fed as per the instructions on the label.
4 Weeks6 Weeks Old
At around three or four weeks, kittens can begin weaning off their mothers milk and transitioning to solid food. Most kittens arent completely weaned until around eight weeks, so this process should be slow and gradual.
Allow them access to a kitten-specific wet food formula. The food should be soft and warm to encourage them to eat it. You may need to begin the weaning process by allowing the kitten to lick the wet kitten food mixed with warm water from your finger. Create a gruel by mixing wet kitten food with water. You can blend it or use a fork to mix it. We recommend warming the gruel in your microwave in 5-second increments, or adding warm water, and stirring it to make it more appetizing. Be careful to ensure it is not too hot.
Once they get the hang of that, food can be served in a bowl or plate. Repeat the process several times daily.
6 Weeks8 Weeks Old
By the time your kittens reach the two-month mark, they should be drinking water and eating independently. You can offer dry food at this point if you wish, though we recommend soaking it in a few tablespoons of warm water at first to help make the transition easier.
8 Weeks6 Months Old
Kittens grow the fastest during the first six months of their lives, after which their need for increased caloric intake and nutrients begins to wane. The feeding chart well share below will give you a good jumping-off point for deciding how much to feed, but most experts recommend using the kittens body condition to make adjustments as necessary. For example, if your kittens spine,ribs and hips are easily visible, you may need to feed them more than what is suggested.
612 Months Old
A kittens body is still growing between six and 12 months of age, though at a much slower rate. They wont burn as many calories as they were in previous weeks, so you must transition them to adult food between 10 and 12 months to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
Knowing when to transition to adult food can depend on your kittens breed, size, and activity levels. Some cat breeds, such as Maine Coons, dont reach full maturity until theyre 18 to 24 months old so that they can stay on kitten food longer than other breeds.
We always recommend referring to the food manufacturers guidelines and speaking with your veterinarian if youre unsure how much your kitty should be eating, as they can consider their size and breed when making recommendations.
Guideline Kitten Feeding Chart
| Age of Kitten | Approximate Weight | What to Feed | How Much to Feed | Feeding Frequency |
| Newborn to 3 weeks | 3 ounces to 1 pound | Mothers milk or kitten formula | 2 to 15 ml formula | Every 2 to 4 hours |
| 4 to 5 weeks | 1 to 1.8 pounds | Mix of mothers milk or formula, and wet food | 18 to 22 ml formula | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 6 to 8 weeks | 1.8 to 2.6 pounds | Weaning period; offer lots of wet food, can offer dry | 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry, offer gruel at every feeding | Every 6 hours |
| 8 weeks to 5 months | 1.5 to 5.75 pounds | Wet, dry, or combination* | 1/3 to 1 cup dry; 3 to 5 servings of wet food | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 6 months to 1 year | 5.75 to 12 pounds | Wet, dry, or combination* | 2/3 to 1 cups dry; 1/4 can to 1/2 can per pound of bodyweight | Two meals daily ( at least) |
* Reduce recommended portion sizes if youre feeding a combination of both wet and dry food.
Note: Different foods will have different amounts of calories per cup and so these are only very rough guidelines. Calculate how much to feed your kitten by checking the food packaging for specific information and consulting with your veterinarian.
What Is the Optimal Kitten Growth Rate?
A good rule of thumb for kittens is to gain around one pound per month. A kitten often weighs around one pound at one mouth, two at two months, and so on until they reach the four- or five-month mark.
Wet or Dry Food for Kittens?
Wet and dry food can be very healthy for kittens, provided theyre good quality and nutritionally complete and balanced for this life stage.
Wet food is higher in moisture and can ensure your busy little kittens are hydrated adequately. This extra hydration can also help keep the urinary tract healthy.
Dry food is typically easier to feed, especially if youre dealing with multiple kittens at a time. Dental plaque and calculus are less frequent in cats fed dry rather than wet food, promoting better oral health.
The biggest difference between the two food types is their moisture content. Dry food contains just 6 to 10% water, while canned food can contain up to 85% water. Typically, wet food also has a higher percentage of protein and fewer carbohydrates, making it closer to the ideal diet for your feline family members. However, this isnt always true, as it depends greatly on the brand and formula.
Most vets would agree that very young kittens should be offered at least some wet food in their diet as their teeth are very small and, therefore, cannot chew dry food as well as they should.
Feeding a diet that contains both wet and dry food is an option. Doing so provides the growing kittens with the benefits associated with both types of food.
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Feeding Methods for Kittens
Free-Feeding
The free-feeding method allows kittens access to their food at all times. Only dry foods can be fed in this way, as canned foods should not be left out at room temperature for long periods; otherwise, it may begin growing bacteria and attracting insects.
The biggest advantage of free-feeding is that your kitten can eat several smaller meals throughout the day on their own schedule. The key to doing this successfully is ensuring youre placing the right amount of dry food your kitten requires for the day in the bowl.
The downfall of free-feeding is that it can lead to overeating and weight gain, especially if youre too generous with your portions. Additionally, it can be hard to determine if your kittens appetite has changed, and it may be challenging to use this method if you have multiple cats.
Meal Feeding
Meal feedings for kittens are much like how we eat as humans. This method requires you to provide food for your kitten at specific meal times throughout the day. Both wet and dry foods can be fed in this manner.
The biggest advantage of meal feeding is that it allows you to monitor your kittens intake closely. This is especially important when you need to keep a close eye on your pets appetite to see if it has changed.
A disadvantage of this method is that you may need to get used to your kitten begging for food between meals. However, if youre following your vets (and our) feeding advice, your kittens should be receiving proper portions that allow them to stay satiated between meals. Naturally cats prefer to eat several small meals a day.
Combination Feeding
Combination feeding is just what it sounds likea combination of the previous two methods. You can serve your kitten canned food as their meal twice daily and allow them free reign to their properly portioned dry food throughout the day.
The advantages of combination feeding are that it lets your cat eat as many small meals of dry food as they want on their own schedule while still allowing you to monitor their appetite through how much canned food theyre eating. This method also provides the kittens with the benefits of both canned and dry food.
As with free feeding, this combination method may lead to overeating and weight gain if done incorrectly. You must measure the dry food portion out exactly and not refill the bowl until the next day. Again, it can be challenging to monitor appetite and food intake, especially if you are feeding multiple kittens.
Final Thoughts
How much your kitten needs to eat depends on their age, breed, size, and health. Kittens should be allowed to nurse from their mothers exclusively for the first two weeks of life before they naturally start reducing their nursing frequency. At around five weeks, they can start to be weaned off their mothers milk and slowly transition to solids.
Featured Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock
