How Much to Feed a Kitten: Portions and Schedule

Portion size is the question new owners ask most, and the honest answer is that there is no single number — it depends on age, weight, activity level and the food itself. What you can do is learn the method.

Start with the pack, then adjust

The feeding guide on the packet is calculated for your kitten’s age and expected weight and is a good starting point. Treat it as a starting point only: some kittens need more, some less. Reassess every couple of weeks as they grow.

A typical schedule by age

• 8 to 12 weeks: 3–4 small meals daily
• 3 to 6 months: 3 meals daily
• 6 to 12 months: 2–3 meals daily
• Adult: 2 meals daily

Regular mealtimes are better than constant grazing because they let you notice immediately if your kitten goes off their food — often the first sign that something is wrong.

Reading the label

• Look for a named meat source near the top of the ingredients list
• Choose food labelled “complete and balanced” for kittens, or for all life stages
• Check the feeding guide is given per day, not per meal
• Remember that wet and dry feeding amounts are not directly comparable — wet food is mostly water

Are you feeding the right amount?

Use body condition rather than the scales. Run your hands along your kitten’s sides: ribs should be easy to feel under a thin covering of fat but not visible. From above there should be a visible waist; from the side, a slight tummy tuck. Our healthy weight guide shows how to score this properly.

Mixed feeding

If you feed both wet and dry, reduce each portion accordingly — combining full portions of both is the most common route to an overweight cat. As a rough approach, split their daily calories between the two rather than doubling up.

Common portion mistakes

• Eyeballing amounts instead of using a cup or scale
• Not adjusting as the kitten grows — a portion right at ten weeks is too small at six months
• Counting treats as “not really food”
• Free-feeding dry food on top of wet meals
• Not reducing portions after desexing, when calorie needs drop

Our full feeding guide covers what to feed at each life stage, and our Australian food guide helps you choose a product.