Overview
Did you know kittens grow up to 15 times faster than human babies in their first year? Knowing how much to feed your kitten is key to their healthy growth. Kittens thrive on small, frequent meals throughout the day, gradually moving from milk to solid kitten food and later to adult cat food. By choosing the right food, sticking to a routine, and keeping an eye on their appetite and weight, you can give your kitten the best start in life.
How much to feed a kitten by age
Kittens grow fast, and their dietary needs evolve as they age. Here’s a general guideline:
Up to four weeks old: When they are this young, kittens depend entirely on their mother’s milk. Kittens without mothers will need a kitten milk replacer every two to three hours. You’ll need some feeding equipment designed for raising an orphaned kitten, like the Catac Foster Feeding Bottle. It’s important to sterilise feeding equipment to prevent infections. Keep a close eye on weight gain, as kittens should put on around 18-20 grams a day.
Four to eight weeks: At this stage, you’ll need to start making changes to your kitten’s diet. These changes are known as weaning. We have a full section on this below for more information, but in short, weaning is when a kitten’s diet starts to include solid food for the first time. Start with soft, wet food mixed with kitten milk replacer, served 4-6 times daily. Over the weeks, reduce the amount of kitten milk replacer you are mixing. Once your kitten is seven or eight weeks old, they won’t need any milk replacer anymore. Kittens in this age group should be getting between 150 and 200 calories a day.
Two to four months: By now, your kitten should be all done with milk replacer, and their adult teeth will be growing in soon. Move on to serving them high-quality wet or dry kitten food three or four times daily. Over time, increase how much food you are putting out to support their growth. A four-month-old kitten usually needs around 300 calories a day.
Four to 12 months: Gradually reduce feeding to two or three times a day, keeping an eye on their weight and growth. By six months, kittens usually need around 400 calories a day, depending on their size and activity level.
Always watch your kitten’s appetite and weight gain, and make changes to their portions if needed. If you’re unsure, the packaging of your kitten’s food will likely have a feeding chart to check. If not, you can always ask your vet for advice.
What is the best kitten food?
Kittens need food specially designed to support their rapid growth and development. To find the best kitten food, look for labels that say the kitten food is ‘complete and balanced’. These diets include high protein (to help build strong muscles), essential nutrients (like taurine and DHA, which support healthy brain, eye, and heart development), and calcium and phosphorus (for strong bones and teeth).
Understand the ingredient list
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they rely on certain nutrients that come from animal sources. To help them meet their needs you need to look for diets which contain good amounts of animal-based protein, such as chicken or salmon. Cats are also attracted to meaty and fishy smells and tastes, so these foods will be most attractive to your kitten.
Special diets
Some kittens may have different needs due to medical conditions. This could mean they need unusual foods, but it could also mean they need to avoid ingredients which are very common. Always check with your vet to find the best options for your kitten.
Preventing fussy eating
Give your kitten a mix of wet and dry foods in varying flavours to introduce them to different tastes and textures. This can make them less likely to be picky later on.
Storage tips
Store dry food in a sealed container, and pop any opened wet food in the fridge. Throw away leftover wet food after a day to keep things fresh and safe.
Read more: How big will my kitten get?
New kitten nutrition checklist
Kittens are natural carnivores, so they must eat meat to stay healthy. Their food should include:
• Protein: At least 35-50% of your kitten’s diet should be solid foods with high protein counts. Protein is essential for the growth and healthy development of your kitten.
• Fat: This should make up 18-35% of your kitten’s diet. Fat provides energy and supports their growth.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Important for brain and vision development, especially DHA, which supports cognitive and retinal health.
• Vitamins and minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, and potassium help build strong bones and muscles, while antioxidants like vitamins E and C support your kitten’s growing immune system.
• Amino acids: Taurine is essential for healthy hearts and eyes, while arginine helps kittens process ammonia, supporting their metabolism.
Avoid feeding kittens human food or adult cat diets, as these might miss key nutrients. A highly digestible diet ensures your kitten gets the nutrition they need to grow strong and healthy.
Read more: When can kittens go outside?
What’s best: wet or dry food?
Both wet and dry foods have their benefits, so it is likely best to get some of each:
• Wet food: Packed with moisture to help keep kittens hydrated — especially important for those not drinking much water. Wet food can also lower the risk of urinary tract problems. Tasty and easy to mix, it’s ideal for adding extras like fish oil or probiotics.
• Dry food: A cost-effective option that helps keep teeth healthy by reducing plaque during chewing. It also works well in puzzle feeders or as training treats to keep your kitten mentally stimulated.
Combining wet and dry food: Mixing wet and dry food gives your kitten the best of both — helping with hydration while also supporting dental health and providing a variety of textures. Just be sure to adjust portion sizes to keep their overall calorie intake balanced.
Practical feeding tips: Throw away any leftover wet food after a day to keep it fresh, but dry food can be left out longer, making it a great option for smaller portions spread throughout the day (this sort of feeding is known as grazing).
Milk and lactose intolerance
In cartoons and comics, cats are often seen to be lapping up milk, but this isn’t entirely realistic. In fact, most kittens gradually lose the ability to digest milk, and almost all adult cats are lactose intolerant. This means when a cat drinks cow milk they might become ill, with spells of vomiting and diarrhoea. Let’s clear up some common questions:
What is cat milk?
Cat milk is specially made from lactose-reduced cow’s milk, making it easier for cats to digest. It removes lactose (a sugar most cats can’t process) which helps avoid tummy troubles. Funnily enough, cats aren’t born lactose intolerant. Very young kittens are usually able to deal with lactose, as it is contained in their mother’s milk. This changes at around two months old when they stop nursing. Store-bought cat milk often includes added nutrients like taurine for healthy eyes and hearts, and vitamins C and E to support their immune system.
What’s the difference between milk for kittens and milk for cats?
Kitten milk replacer is specially made to mimic a mother cat’s milk, with high levels of fat and protein to support rapid growth and development. Milk for adult cats, on the other hand, is more of a treat than a necessity, with fewer calories. Kitten milk replacer is essential for very young or orphaned kittens, while cat milk is best kept as an occasional indulgence.
Can kittens drink cow milk?
Even if your kitten is still under two months old, it’s still best to avoid cow’s milk. Cow’s milk has a different balance of proteins, fats, and vitamins to a mother cat’s milk. This means even if a kitten can digest it, it doesn’t give them the right nutrients to grow strong and healthy. This is an important stage of their growth, so it’s safest to stick to kitten milk replacer.
What should my kitten feeding schedule look like?
Kittens thrive on routine. At first, food should be available for them more-or-less constantly, as they will need to feed very frequently. As they get a little older, feeding them at the same times each day helps them with their digestion and behaviour. A consistent schedule can reduce anxiety and help kittens adjust to household routines.
Adjusting for a busy schedule
For busy households, timed feeders are a great way to keep meals on schedule. Splitting meals into smaller portions throughout the day helps kittens meet their calorie needs while fitting around your routine.
Monitoring your kitten’s behaviour
Watch how your kitten reacts to their feeding routine. Signs of stress, overeating, or disinterest in food might mean it’s time to tweak their schedule or diet. It’s also important to monitor weight and growth.
Kitten weaning: moving over to solid food
Weaning your kitten
Weaning usually starts at around four weeks. Start by making a soft mix of wet kitten food and kitten milk replacer, with a ratio of one part food to two parts milk replacer. Over the course of the next four weeks, gradually add more food as your kitten gets used to eating. Serve it in a shallow dish to make it easy to access and encourage them to explore.
What to expect during weaning
Weaning can be a bit messy — kittens might play with or walk through their food as they learn to eat. You’ll know they’re ready for solid food when they start showing interest in the meals their mother or siblings are eating. Their baby teeth also begin to come through around this time.
Managing mealtimes during weaning
Take away any uneaten food after 20-30 minutes to keep things clean and prevent bacteria. Keep a close eye on their appetite and weight to make sure they’re still getting enough calories during this stage. Small portions work best to steer clear of overfeeding.
Introducing adult cat food
Kittens can switch to adult cat food at around eight to 12 months. Begin by replacing 25% of their current food with adult food for the first two to three days. Gradually increase the proportion of adult food every few days, completing the transition over seven to 10 days.
Watch for signs of digestive upset
Keep an eye on your kitten during the transition for any signs of digestive trouble, like diarrhoea or a reduced appetite. If you notice any issues, slow down the transition and check with your vet if needed.
Choosing the right adult food
Pick an adult food that matches your cat’s lifestyle – there are options for indoor, neutered, or active cats. Sticking to a twice-daily feeding schedule helps regulate their calorie intake and build healthy habits as they grow into adulthood. Always make sure fresh water is available.
If there are two top tips to keep in mind, they are to follow the feeding guidelines and to keep bowls clean. This simply means stick to the portion recommendations on your chosen food brand to make sure your cat gets the right nutrition, and wash food bowls after every meal to maintain good hygiene and keep mealtimes safe.
For the full low-down on where your cat’s diet goes next, check out our guide to feeding adult cats.
Read more: How heavy should my cat be?
Need more advice about getting a kitten?
If you’d like further info on kitten care, speak to your vet. They can provide advice for your specific pet and situation.
Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page.
Medically reviewed by Lizzie Youens, BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Published on 16/04/2025 • Reviewed on 16/04/2025