With the recent addition of a kitten to your household, you may be curious about the nutritional requirements of this diminutive creature.
It is vital that kittens be fed the proper quantity and variety of food for their health and well-being; however, the amount your pawfect companion requires will vary according to their weight, age, and other factors.
Keep in mind that each infant has its own specific requirements; therefore, whenever in doubt, consult your veterinarian. While you wait, continue reading this blog to learn about how much you should feed your kitten and some additional mealtime advice!
Quantity of Food for a Kitten
You can determine how much to feed a kitten by consulting the feeding guide located on the reverse side of the kitten food container.
When using dry kibble, you have the option of preparing an entire day's worth of food at once or halving the amount and feeding her twice daily.
Additionally, moist food can be divided in half and fed to her twice daily. The remaining food in her dish ought to be discarded. An open can of moist food may be refrigerated for a maximum of twenty-four hours. Temper it to ambient temperature prior to consuming.
A veterinarian and the food packaging for your kitten should be consulted to ensure that it is consuming the recommended daily caloric intake.
How Much to Feed a Kitten During Each Stage of Development?
Size and age are the two most important determinants in determining how much a kitten should eat.
Providing nourishment for newborn kittens until four weeks Old newborn kittens engage in frequent nursing, with the frequency diminishing to four to six times per day after the initial week of life, when it was approximately every two hours. It is recommended to conduct daily weight checks to ensure that they are receiving sufficient nutrition. A half to three-quarters of an ounce (15–20 grams) of daily weight gain is expected of kittens.
Introducing Kittens to Food at 4 to 6 Weeks
Approximately three to four weeks of age is when kittens can begin weaning, or the transition to a solid diet. Provide them with high-quality wet cat food or a gruel made from warm water combined with high-quality canned kitten food multiple times per day. A gruel is no longer required for kittens between 5 and 6 weeks of age, when their baby teeth are developing and they are able to consume their food more efficiently.
Introducing Kittens to Food at 6 to 8 Weeks
Kitty food should be consumed entirely by the time it reaches 8 weeks of age. This includes ingesting water. Although it is possible to introduce dry food at this juncture, facilitating the transition by soaking it in a few tablespoons of tepid water is recommended. The average weight of an 8-week-old kitten is approximately 2 pounds; therefore, they should consume approximately 162 kilocalories per day (1 kilocalorie = 1 calorie).
Kitten feeding between 8 weeks and 10 months of age
The initial half-year of a cat's life is characterized by the most accelerated growth phase; thereafter, their requirement for "extra" calories and nutrients gradually diminishes. The provided feeding formula for kittens is a reference for establishing the suitable quantity of food to offer. Nevertheless, any required modifications should be made according to the physical state of your kitten.
Feeding Kittens Over 10 Months Old
The majority of newborns can be weaned to adult cat food at approximately 10 months of age, so it is useful to have a kitten feeding chart. In general, kitten food is higher in fat, protein, and calories than cat food. Certain felines, such as those that are inherently quite small or prone to gaining weight, would benefit from the transition occurring earlier. Large breeds, such as Maine Coons, ought to continue consuming infant food for an extended period of time. Your veterinarian can provide guidance on the precise moment to transition infant food to adult cat food.
How Much Wet Food or Dry Food to Feed a Kitten?
Dry Food
It is more convenient to store. Although it is less messy, more durable, and more affordable, its water content is extremely low. Numerous authorities on feline nutrition advise against exclusively feeding cats dry kibble. Dry kibble diets typically contain 7–12% moisture, rendering your pet susceptible to dehydration in the absence of substantial water consumption. Additionally, kibble is calorie-dense.
Wet Food
Numerous felines prefer moist food to dry food, and the selection of moist food is remarkable. Whether chunky, pate, or served with or without gravy, the possibilities are virtually limitless. Kittens can begin to nibble (and play with) solid foods as they approach weaning. Beginning the transition with moistened dry kibble or wet kitten food will be beneficial.
Begin by combining three parts dry or wet kitten food with one part warm water; the mixture should resemble oatmeal. Reduce the quantity of water gradually while increasing the quantity of food over the course of the next two weeks.
Kittens at six to eight weeks of age can freely consume dry or wet cat food. You can accommodate her adventurous nature by offering a wider range of flavours and textures through the use of wet and dry food. Dry kibble alone or a combination of wet and dry food may also be provided.
After your kitten has been completely weaned and is consuming solid foods, select the option that your veterinarian advises, which is most practical given the circumstances.
Ensure that the dry or wet food you select is formulated specifically for kittens.
Frequent Feeding of Kittens
A big question that comes to mind is: how often do you feed kittens?
If kittens are not being free-fed, they should be fed multiple portions per day when they are 6 to 16 weeks old.
As they are developing and consuming calories, we wish to maintain their energy levels. Feed every 6 to 8 hours.
The total daily caloric requirement for your kitten feeding schedule will be determined by your veterinarian; simply divide that value by the number of meals per day. By the time kittens reach four to five months of age, it is normal to transition them to two meals per day. This entails continuing to provide the daily caloric intake in the form of larger, less frequent meals.
Importance of Formulated Food
We strongly suggest kitten foods formulated with protein derived from animals, in addition to fish oils containing omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for feline health. Additionally, we endorse cat food that is devoid of flavourings, preservatives, and artificial colours.
A moist food formulation for kittens aids in maintaining proper hydration, making it an especially favourable choice for felines that are teething or exhibit disinterest in their water receptacle. Many cat owners provide a combination of dry and liquid food to maintain mealtime interest and ensure that their pets have a varied diet.
Do kittens require dietary supplements?
Supplements are an excellent way to improve the overall health of your kitten. Consider them a daily vitamin supplement while you maintain a kitten feeding chart by weight. Supplements such as fish oil may be required for kittens with obesity, specific skin conditions, or other dietary requirements. This is an excellent inquiry for your veterinarian, who is well-versed in your kitten's particular requirements.
How much daily exercise is sufficient for a feline between meals?
In addition to providing an adequate diet for your growing kitten, it is critical to maintain their physical activity. Kittens require thirty minutes to two hours of daily exercise, so be sure to provide them with plenty of playtime and purchase some stimulating objects. Cats find hunting-themed trinkets and activities particularly entertaining, given their innate hunting instincts. This assists in preventing "zoomies" and teaches cats not to "hunt" their parents' limbs!
The quantity of food that you provide for your kitten is critical to ensuring that it lives a happy and healthy life. When uncertain, consult your veterinarian! They will be able to collaborate with you to determine the optimal diet for your adorable cat.