How much food a kitten should have per day depends on its age, weight and activity level, but as a rule of thumb a kitten eats relatively a lot in relation to its size. It grows quickly and burns energy at a completely different pace than an adult cat, and that is why it needs a nutrient-dense meal spread over several small portions throughout the day. You will always find the most precise guidance on the feeding instructions on the package you have chosen, because the amount is directly linked to the meal's composition and energy content.
Rather than guessing your way forward, it is worth taking your starting point in the kitten's expected adult weight and its current age. A small kitten of a couple of months needs far fewer grams than an almost fully grown kitten of eight to nine months, but on the other hand the small kitten's food should be divided into more feedings. Below we go through how to find the right daily amount, how many meals your kitten should have, and how to adjust as it grows.
What determines the daily amount of food for a kitten?
Three things determine how much your kitten should have: its age, its current weight and the target for its adult weight. A kitten is essentially under construction from birth until around one year of age, and during that period the food must cover both the daily energy and the growth itself. That is why a kitten, gram for gram, eats more than an adult cat of the same breed.
The activity level also plays a part. A kitten that plays intensely most of the day and has a high activity level burns more than a kitten with a more moderate everyday life, and that can mean a slightly larger daily portion. At the same time, there is a difference between meals: the energy content varies from meal to meal, and that is exactly why you should always read the feeding instructions on the specific package rather than use a general gram figure from another source.
The best way to get it right is to weigh out the food instead of estimating with a measure or a cup. That way you can keep track of whether your kitten is gaining weight appropriately, and adjust a little up or down. If you are in doubt about what suits your particular kitten, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisors are ready by phone, chat or email to help you translate the instructions to your kitten's age and weight.
How many meals should a kitten have per day?
A small kitten has a small stomach and cannot hold its daily energy needs in one or two meals. That is why the youngest kittens should have their food spread over four small meals a day, so the stomach is not overloaded and so the energy comes evenly throughout the day. The frequent, smaller portions fit well with how a kitten naturally eats a little and often.
As the kitten grows and the stomach gets bigger, you can gradually cut down to three meals and later to two daily meals as it approaches adulthood. The total daily amount itself does not change just because you divide it into fewer feedings - you simply distribute the same food over fewer portions. Fixed times make it easier for both you and the kitten to keep track of whether it is eating what it should.
No matter how many times a day you feed, it is a good idea to gather the kitten's meals in one place so you have an overview. In the collection of meals for kittens you will find relevant products gathered with the small kitten's needs in mind, so you can choose the one that suits its taste and nutritional profile.
How to adjust the amount while the kitten grows
Because a kitten grows quickly, its needs change continuously, and the daily amount of food must keep up. A kitten of three months needs a different portion than the same kitten at seven months, both because it is heavier and because the growth curve flattens out the closer it gets to its adult weight. That is why the daily amount is not a fixed figure, but something you fine-tune along the way.
The most reliable guide is the kitten's own development. If it gains weight evenly and appropriately, without becoming round around the ribs, you are typically getting it right. If it becomes too plump, or conversely seems thin, you can adjust the portion a little and keep an eye on it again over the coming weeks. If you weigh out the food every time, it becomes far easier to see when there is a need to increase or decrease it.
If you want to make it easy to get off to a good start, the universe for kittens gathers the meals and products that suit the early stage of life. Here you can find a meal that matches your kitten's growth, and build a fixed routine around the daily feeding as it slowly approaches adulthood.
How long should a kitten have kitten food?
A kitten should stay on a meal that is composed for its stage of life until it is close to fully grown, which for most cats means around one year of age. Until then it needs the extra energy and the nutritional profile that supports growth, and it is not the time to switch to a meal for adult cats. Large breeds can take longer to become fully grown, while smaller cats typically reach adulthood a little earlier.
When your kitten approaches the transition to adulthood, you gradually mix most of the new food in over the course of about a week, so the stomach gets used to it. A calm switch reduces the risk of a loose stomach, and it makes it easier for your kitten to accept the new meal. At the same time, the total daily amount must be adjusted according to the adult meal's energy content, so you once again read the feeding instructions on the new package.
A meal prepared for kittens from human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials gives the finest start to life, and The Little Lion is composed with exactly the small kitten's growth and appetite in mind. When the time comes to move on to adulthood, you will find a wide selection of cat meals that you can switch to at your own pace.
Fresh water and good habits around feeding
In addition to the food itself, your kitten always needs access to fresh water, no matter which meal you choose. Water is a fixed part of the daily routine, and a kitten that eats a prepared meal naturally drinks water alongside it. Place the bowl in a calm spot, preferably a little away from the food, so your kitten eats and drinks in peace.
Treats can easily be part of the kitten's everyday life, but they count towards the daily balance. If you use them for play or small moments of closeness, keep the amount small so they don't take up too much on top of the proper meals. That way your kitten keeps its appetite for the food that is meant to fuel growth, and maintains appropriate daily well-being. If you are in doubt about how to make it all add up - portions, number of meals and transitions - you can always get in touch with ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisors, who will help you draw up a plan that suits your particular kitten.