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Kitten feeding: how much and how often?

Kittens grow fast and need a lot more energy than adult cats, spread over several small meals.

The short answer

Kittens need at least four meals a day at 8 to 12 weeks, at least three from 3 to 6 months and at least two after that (International Cat Care). The daily amount depends on weight and age: a 3-month-old 4 lb kitten needs about 298 kcal, or about 10.6 oz of wet food with 28 kcal per ounce (FEDIAF guidelines, 2025).

How often a day?

  • 8 to 12 weeks: at least four times
  • 3 to 6 months: at least three times
  • From 6 months: at least twice

That’s what International Cat Care recommends. The Cornell Feline Health Center says three meals a day usually work best until 6 months, then two. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, kittens can also be free-fed. Then only the scale shows whether the amount is right.

How much a day?

The chart shows ounces of wet food per day by weight and age.

WeightUnder 4 months4 to under 9 months9–12 months
2 lb6.7 oz5.9 oz5.0 oz
3 lb8.8 oz7.7 oz6.6 oz
4 lb10.6 oz9.3 oz8.0 oz
5 lb12.4 oz10.8 oz9.3 oz
6 lb14.0 oz12.2 oz10.5 oz
8 lb16.9 oz14.8 oz12.7 oz
10 lb19.7 oz17.2 oz14.8 oz

Wet food with 28 kcal per ounce. Energy per the FEDIAF guidelines (2025), lower value of the range. For dry food, divide the same calories by the kcal per cup on your bag.

Why so much?

According to the FEDIAF guidelines, a kitten needs a multiple of its maintenance energy: 2 to 2.5 times in the first 4 months, then 1.75 to 2 times up to 9 months and 1.5 times up to 12 months. For maintenance, Portiopet uses the FEDIAF value for normally active adult cats of the same weight, takes the lower factor and lets the scale decide.

Weigh and adjust

  • Weigh your kitten regularly, ideally on a kitchen or baby scale.
  • It should gain weight steadily.
  • If your kitten doesn’t eat for a day, call your vet.

Questions

How many times a day should a kitten eat?

At least four times at 8 to 12 weeks, at least three times from 3 to 6 months, and at least twice a day after that (International Cat Care).

How much wet food should a 3-month-old kitten eat?

A 4 lb kitten needs about 298 kcal a day at 3 months. With wet food at 28 kcal per ounce, that’s about 10.6 oz. The kitten food calculator works it out for your kitten and your food.

Can my kitten eat as much as it wants?

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, yes: kittens can also be free-fed. Weigh your kitten regularly so it stays lean.

Sources

Last checked: October 2026