How much food should you give your kitten?
The amount of food your kitten needs depends on their age and weight. The expected adult weight also plays a role. Some cats weigh just 3 kg fully grown, while others reach a healthy weight of 8 kg. The food you buy for your kitten will include feeding guidelines on the packaging—this is the best place to start.
Monitor your kitten’s growth over the first two weeks by weighing them. If your kitten is growing well, you can continue adjusting the amount of food according to the feeding table on the packaging. If growth seems a bit slow, increase the amount by 10%.
How often should you feed a kitten?
It’s best to divide your kitten’s daily food allowance into multiple meals. This closely matches a cat’s natural feeding behaviour. In the wild, cats eat several small meals throughout the day. Aim to feed your kitten at least 3–4 times a day.
You can also choose to leave food available throughout the day. Many kittens will naturally eat small portions at different times. However, if your kitten had to compete for food with littermates, they may overeat. If you notice your kitten eating the whole day’s portion all at once, then free feeding may not be the right approach. In that case, split the food into measured portions.
When to switch to adult cat food
Most cats are fully grown by 12 months of age. Some breeds, such as Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats, continue growing until they’re 15 months old.
Neutering often slows down your kitten’s growth, but this is not the time to switch to adult food. Their immune system is still developing, and so are their muscles and bones. That means their protein requirements remain higher than those of adult cats.
Neutering does change your kitten’s metabolism. For this reason, it might be a good idea to switch to a kitten food specifically formulated for neutered cats.
Which food is best for your adult cat?
There’s a wide range of food options for adult cats. Choose a type that you feel good about, such as:
Your cat will ultimately tell you what works best for them. A suitable cat food should ensure that your cat:
- Enjoys the taste
- Has good energy levels
- Produces healthy stools
- Maintains a healthy weight
- Has a shiny coat
- Doesn’t develop unpleasant odours
Cats can be picky eaters. They may reject a new food if it’s introduced too suddenly. This is because cats place great importance on the scent and mouthfeel of food. If it doesn’t appeal to them, they might refuse to eat it. Always introduce new food gradually.
It might take a few tries to find the perfect fit. Allow at least four weeks for your cat to adjust to a new food and assess how well it suits them—assuming they continue eating it, of course!
There’s also a wide range of tasty treats available.
How much food does your adult cat need?
How much food a cat needs depends on their size and activity level. Indoor cats are usually less active than outdoor cats and therefore need fewer calories. Neutered cats also have different metabolic needs and often require fewer calories.
The food packaging will provide daily feeding guidelines. Start there, and monitor your cat’s weight. If your cat is gaining weight, reduce the amount by 10%. If they’re losing weight, increase it by 10%. Never go below 70% of the recommended amount, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies. If the current food doesn’t seem to suit, it’s worth looking for a better alternative.
How often should a cat eat?
In nature, cats eat small amounts throughout the day. They hunt and catch multiple prey animals daily. So feeding your cat just once or twice a day is far from natural—especially since cats are also active at night. Cats tend to eat and sleep in cycles, both day and night.
Ideally, your cat would have access to food throughout the day and nibble as needed. However, some cats always feel hungry and struggle with portion control. If free feeding isn’t working, aim to feed 4–5 small meals per day. This isn’t always practical, especially with work or during the night.
Automatic feeders can be helpful—they dispense small portions at set times, mimicking a cat’s natural feeding pattern.
You can also hide food in interactive toys or use puzzle feeders. These make your cat work for their food, which slows down their eating and stimulates their hunting instincts. This also encourages movement and reduces the risk of overeating. Plus, it provides mental enrichment, helping to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.
Still have questions about feeding your cat? Feel free to get in touch via [email protected].
