Kirsten McCarthy
French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld said “eating is a necessity, but eating wisely is an art.”
Feeding a cat seems easy enough at first. You buy a bag of food with a picture of a cat on it, dump it in the bowl, and wait for your cat to eat when it’s hungry. It’s a method that can work, but it doesn’t bring out the best in you or your cat.
Feeding your cat wisely involves extra care.
In this cat feeding guide, you will learn how to feed your cat from infancy to adulthood. You will find out how much your cat will eat at different stages of life, how many meals he needs per day, and what types of food are best.
We’ve broken down your cat’s nutritional needs by age group, giving you a healthy nutritional guide for all life stages.
Your Cat’s Dietary Needs Change Over Time
As your cat moves through kittenhood, adulthood, and beyond, her nutritional needs will change. Fulfilling those needs at all stages of life sets the stage for a good life.
Your first stop when choosing the right food for your cat? Nutritional adequacy statement.
Usually found on the back of the bag or can, this statement indicates whether or not the food is wholesome and limited to your intended life stage. The label would read, for example, “…designed to meet the nutritional standards established by the AAFCO cat food profiles for all life stages.”
Foods that are not complete and nutritious will often be labeled “supplementary servings only.” This food does not contain the right balance of macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and should not be your cat’s only food source.
While looking at the label, check the serving instructions, too. For the average house cat, proper feeding guidelines are often included on the cat food package.
The nutrition guidelines on the package will point you in the right direction, although you may need to make some adjustments to suit your cat’s exact needs.
Here is a guide on how to feed your cat during the different stages of its life.
Newborn Kitten, Age: 0 to 4 Weeks
During this stage, most kittens rely on their mother’s milk as their only source of nutrition. If the mother is around, you won’t need to feed the kittens at all—they’ll feed themselves! That said, if you have rescued an orphaned cat, you will need to bottle feed.
Kittens need a cat’s milk replacement formula, which duplicates the nutrients found in the mother’s cat’s milk. You can buy a cat milk substitute from your vet or pet store. Don’t eat cow’s milk—it doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to feed a newborn baby.
Kitten milk may come as a powder, mixed with water according to package directions, or as a ready-to-feed liquid. Ready-to-feed formula does not require mixing, but it is more expensive than powder formula.
Leftover milk replacer can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after which it should be discarded. Once opened, ready-to-feed liquid formula can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours, after which it must be discarded. Thaw the cold formula that has been in the refrigerator before feeding it to the kitten.
How Much Should You Feed Your Newborn Kitten?
If your kitten’s mother is there to nurse, the kitten will nurse freely. If you are bottle-feeding, follow the instructions on your kitten’s milk replacer package. Exact amounts may vary depending on the type of replacement milk, but in most cases, you will eat about 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of liquid cat formula per 4 ounces of body weight daily.
For example, a two-week-old kitten weighing 8 ounces will receive about 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) of liquid kitten formula daily divided into equal portions between several meals. This may look like 10 milliliters of milk replacement formula six times a day or 7.5 milliliters eight times a day.
How Often Should You Feed Your Newborn Kitten?
Newborn kittens suckle from their mother and feed regularly, sticking to one feeding every one to two hours. However, when they bottle feed, cats get a larger dose of formula, so they don’t need to eat this often. Feed kittens from birth to 4 weeks of age every three to four hours, or six to eight times a day. Very young chicks (newborn to one week old) or those that appear weak can be fed every two hours.
Cat Feeding Chart
| Age | Approximate Weight | Amount Feed | Schedule |
| 0 to 1 week | 50 to 150 grams (1.7 to 5.2 ounces) | 2 to 6 ml cat formula | Every 2 hours |
| 1 to 2 weeks | 150 to 250 grams (5.2 to 8.8 ounces) | 6 to 10 ml cat formula | Every 2 to 3 hours |
| 2 to 3 weeks | 250 to 350 grams (8.8 to 12.4 ounces) | 10 to 14 ml cat formula | Every 3 to 4 hours |
| 3 to 4 weeks | 350 to 450 grams (12.4 to 15.9 ounces) | 14 to 18 ml cat formula | Every 4 to 5 hours |
| 4 to 5 weeks | 450 to 550 grams (15.9 ounces to 1.1 kilograms) | 18 to 22 ml kitten formula To start the weaning process; gradually switch to a combination of cat formula and wet cat food | Every 5 to 6 hours |
| 5 to 8 weeks | 550 to 850 grams (1.1 to 1.5 kilograms) | Weaning; give an unlimited amount of wet cat food | Every 6 hours |
| 8 to 9 weeks | 1.5 to 2.6 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 9 to 10 weeks | 1.6 to 2.9 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 10 to 11 weeks | 1.8 to 3.1 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 11 to 12 weeks | 2 to 3.3 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 12 to 13 weeks | 2.2 to 4 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 13 to 14 weeks | 3 to 4.5 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 14 to 15 weeks | 3.5 to 5 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 15 to 16 weeks | 4 to 5.5 kilograms | 250 to 360 calories per day | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| 4 months | 4 to 5.5 kilograms | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 hours |
| 5 months | 5.1 to 6 kilograms | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 hours |
| 6 months | 5.5 to 6.5 kilograms | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
| 7 months | 6 to 7 kilos | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
| 8 months | 6.5 to 7.5 kilograms | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
| 9 months | 7 to 8 kilos | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
| 10 months | 7.5 to 8.5 kilograms | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
| 11 months | 8 to 9 kilos | 60 to 65 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
| 12 months to adulthood | 8 to 9.5 kilograms | 20 to 33 calories per kilogram of body weight per day | Every 8 to 12 hours |
Your Cat Needs Water Too
In addition to a proper diet, it is also important that the cat has access to clean water. Proper hydration helps prevent constipation and reduces the risk of urinary system diseases such as urinary tract infections and obstruction.
Access to clean water is important, whether your cat eats dry or wet food.
Contact Your Veterinarian For More Advice
Even with the information shared in this article, you should consult your veterinarian about your cat’s nutritional needs. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend the right type of food and diet for your cat based on your cat’s age, lifestyle, food preferences, and overall health.
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A Guide to Raising Weanlings and Under-Weanlings, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.