How many calories does a kitten need? How much to feed a kitten by age and weight
A kitten needs about 81 kcal per pound of body weight a day at 9-12 weeks (178 per kg), falling to 38 per pound at 33-40 weeks (NRC 2006). So a 12-week kitten weighing 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) needs about 214 kcal a day: 2.4 pouches labelled 90 kcal, or 53 g of a 4,000 kcal/kg kitten kibble, split into four meals. The tables below cross age with weight in kilograms and in pounds.
How many calories does a kitten need?
A kitten needs a set number of calories per kilogram of its own body weight, and that number falls as it grows (NRC 2006): 218 kcal per kg up to 8 weeks, 178 kcal per kg at 9-12 weeks, 143 kcal per kg at 13-16 weeks, 108 kcal per kg at 17-24 weeks, 92 kcal per kg at 25-32 weeks, 83 kcal per kg at 33-40 weeks. Past 40 weeks it is fed as a lean adult cat, 100 x kg^0.67 a day. So a 1 kg kitten needs 178 kcal a day at 12 weeks, and a 2 kg kitten 216 kcal at 24 weeks.
Kitten calories and grams a day by age in weeks
Each cell is kcal a day, then grams a day of a 4,000 kcal/kg kitten kibble. Find the age row and the column closest to your kitten's weight today. Weeks 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 and 40 are the last week of each NRC age band.
| Age | Per kg | 0.5 kg | 1 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg | 4 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 218 kcal | 109 kcal, 27 g | 218 kcal, 55 g | 436 kcal, 109 g | 654 kcal, 164 g | 872 kcal, 218 g |
| 12 weeks | 178 kcal | 89 kcal, 22 g | 178 kcal, 45 g | 356 kcal, 89 g | 534 kcal, 134 g | 712 kcal, 178 g |
| 16 weeks | 143 kcal | 72 kcal, 18 g | 143 kcal, 36 g | 286 kcal, 72 g | 429 kcal, 107 g | 572 kcal, 143 g |
| 24 weeks | 108 kcal | 54 kcal, 14 g | 108 kcal, 27 g | 216 kcal, 54 g | 324 kcal, 81 g | 432 kcal, 108 g |
| 32 weeks | 92 kcal | 46 kcal, 12 g | 92 kcal, 23 g | 184 kcal, 46 g | 276 kcal, 69 g | 368 kcal, 92 g |
| 40 weeks | 83 kcal | 42 kcal, 10 g | 83 kcal, 21 g | 166 kcal, 42 g | 249 kcal, 62 g | 332 kcal, 83 g |
| 52 weeks | adult line | 63 kcal, 16 g | 100 kcal, 25 g | 159 kcal, 40 g | 209 kcal, 52 g | 253 kcal, 63 g |
Kitten calories per day by weight in pounds
The same NRC figures per pound of body weight (1 lb = 0.454 kg), for kittens weighed on a US scale.
| Age | Per lb | 1 lb | 2 lb | 3 lb | 4 lb | 6 lb | 8 lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 99 kcal | 99 kcal | 198 kcal | 297 kcal | 396 kcal | 593 kcal | 791 kcal |
| 12 weeks | 81 kcal | 81 kcal | 161 kcal | 242 kcal | 323 kcal | 484 kcal | 646 kcal |
| 16 weeks | 65 kcal | 65 kcal | 130 kcal | 195 kcal | 259 kcal | 389 kcal | 519 kcal |
| 24 weeks | 49 kcal | 49 kcal | 98 kcal | 147 kcal | 196 kcal | 294 kcal | 392 kcal |
| 32 weeks | 42 kcal | 42 kcal | 83 kcal | 125 kcal | 167 kcal | 250 kcal | 334 kcal |
| 40 weeks | 38 kcal | 38 kcal | 75 kcal | 113 kcal | 151 kcal | 226 kcal | 301 kcal |
| 52 weeks | adult line | 59 kcal | 94 kcal | 123 kcal | 149 kcal | 196 kcal | 237 kcal |
Kitten calories by age in months
A 3-month-old kitten (13 weeks) needs 143 kcal per kg of body weight a day (65 per lb), a 4- or 5-month-old 108 per kg (49 per lb), a 6- or 7-month-old 92 per kg (42 per lb) and an 8- or 9-month-old 83 per kg (38 per lb); from 10 months (43 weeks) the lean-adult line, 100 x kg^0.67, applies. So a 2 kg kitten needs 286 kcal a day at 3 months and 216 at 4 months. A month is counted as 4.35 weeks (365.25 / 12 / 7), rounded to whole weeks.
The bands are steps, not a slope: a 1.5 kg kitten is on 267 kcal at 12 weeks and 215 kcal at 13 weeks for the same weight. In practice the kitten keeps gaining weight, so the daily total in the typical pairs below still rises, from 174 kcal at 8 weeks to 299 at 40 weeks.
| Age | Per kg (per lb) | 1 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg | 4 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months (9 weeks) | 178 (81 per lb) | 178 | 356 | 534 | 712 |
| 3 months (13 weeks) | 143 (65 per lb) | 143 | 286 | 429 | 572 |
| 4 months (17 weeks) | 108 (49 per lb) | 108 | 216 | 324 | 432 |
| 5 months (22 weeks) | 108 (49 per lb) | 108 | 216 | 324 | 432 |
| 6 months (26 weeks) | 92 (42 per lb) | 92 | 184 | 276 | 368 |
| 7 months (30 weeks) | 92 (42 per lb) | 92 | 184 | 276 | 368 |
| 8 months (35 weeks) | 83 (38 per lb) | 83 | 166 | 249 | 332 |
| 9 months (39 weeks) | 83 (38 per lb) | 83 | 166 | 249 | 332 |
| 10 months (43 weeks) | adult line | 100 | 159 | 209 | 253 |
| 12 months (52 weeks) | adult line | 100 | 159 | 209 | 253 |
Pouches and kibble for typical age and weight pairs
Wet only in 90 kcal pouches, half wet and half dry, or dry only on a 4,000 kcal/kg kitten kibble. Weights are examples of what the age bracket often covers; breeds vary.
| Age and weight | kcal/day | Pouches | Half wet + kibble | Kibble only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks, 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) | 174 | 1.9 | 1.0 + 22 g | 44 g |
| 12 weeks, 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) | 214 | 2.4 | 1.2 + 27 g | 53 g |
| 16 weeks, 1.8 kg (4 lb) | 257 | 2.9 | 1.4 + 32 g | 64 g |
| 24 weeks, 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 270 | 3.0 | 1.5 + 34 g | 68 g |
| 32 weeks, 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) | 294 | 3.3 | 1.6 + 37 g | 74 g |
| 40 weeks, 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) | 299 | 3.3 | 1.7 + 37 g | 75 g |
Cups and grams of kitten kibble a day
A level 8 oz cup holds about 96 g of Royal Canin Kitten (367 kcal a cup) and 100 g of Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe (407 kcal a cup), from the calorie statements on the bags (read 2026-10-01). So the 12-week, 1.2 kg kitten's 214 kcal is 5/8 of a cup of the first and 1/2 cup of the second. Weigh the first cup of your own bag: scoops differ and recipes change.
| Age and weight | kcal/day | Grams (4,000 kcal/kg) | Royal Canin Kitten, cups | Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe, cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks, 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) | 174 | 44 g | 0.48 (1/2) | 0.43 (3/8) |
| 12 weeks, 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) | 214 | 53 g | 0.58 (5/8) | 0.52 (1/2) |
| 16 weeks, 1.8 kg (4 lb) | 257 | 64 g | 0.70 (3/4) | 0.63 (5/8) |
| 24 weeks, 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 270 | 68 g | 0.74 (3/4) | 0.66 (5/8) |
| 32 weeks, 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) | 294 | 74 g | 0.80 (3/4) | 0.72 (3/4) |
| 40 weeks, 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) | 299 | 75 g | 0.81 (7/8) | 0.73 (3/4) |
For your own kitten and your own bag, the kitten calorie calculator is the cat food calculator with the kitten stage: enter the age in weeks, today's weight and the kcal per cup from the label.
Reading the numbers
The kcal-per-kg figures are the NRC 2006 averages; individual animals vary by up to 30% (Merck Veterinary Manual), so a kitten that grows fast or plays hard may need more and a quiet one less. Weigh weekly and keep ribs easy to feel under a thin cover. Enter the age in weeks and the exact label calories in the cat food calculator for your own kitten. Grown-up amounts are in how many calories a cat needs per day, the grams in a cup of kibble in how much dry food to feed a cat, and grams of wet food for a kitten in how much wet food to feed a cat in grams.
Frequently asked questions
- How many calories does a kitten need a day?
- It depends on age and current weight. Per kg of body weight a day (NRC 2006): 218 (99 per lb) up to 8 weeks, 178 (81 per lb) at 9-12 weeks, 143 (65 per lb) at 13-16 weeks, 108 (49 per lb) at 17-24 weeks, 92 (42 per lb) at 25-32 weeks, 83 (38 per lb) at 33-40 weeks. A 2 lb kitten at 12 weeks needs about 161 kcal a day; a 5 lb kitten at 24 weeks about 245 kcal.
- How many calories does a 6 month old kitten need?
- Six months is about 26 weeks, in the 25-32 week band: 92 kcal per kg (42 per lb) a day. A 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) kitten needs 230 kcal, a 3 kg (6.6 lb) kitten 276 kcal: 2.6 or 3.1 pouches of 90 kcal, or 58 or 69 g of a 4,000 kcal/kg kitten kibble.
- How much should an 8-week-old kitten eat?
- At 0.8 kg, about 174 kcal a day (218 kcal per kg): 1.9 pouches of 90 kcal or 44 g of kitten kibble, in four meals. Under 8 weeks the kitten should still be with its mother or on a vet's plan; weigh it weekly.
- How many pouches a day for a kitten?
- A 12-week, 1.2 kg kitten: 2.4 pouches of 90 kcal a day. A 24-week, 2.5 kg kitten: 3.0. Kitten pouches differ in calories from brand to brand, so read the label; the cat food calculator takes the exact figure.
- Why does a kitten need more than an adult cat?
- Per kilogram, 3.9 times as much up to 8 weeks (218 kcal per kg) and 3.1 times at 9-12 weeks (178), against 57 kcal per kg for an indoor 4 kg adult (226 kcal a day). So a 1.2 kg kitten at 12 weeks eats 214 kcal, close to the adult. Kitten food is denser for the same reason: 3,823 kcal/kg for Royal Canin Kitten and 4,067 for Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe, against 3,534 and 3,492 for the same makers' indoor adult foods (labels read 2026-10-01).
- When do I switch to adult amounts?
- Past 40 weeks the calculator feeds the kitten as a lean adult (100 x kg^0.67): a 3.6 kg cat at 40 weeks is on 299 kcal, and at 12 months on 236. Switch to adult food when growth slows; large breeds keep growing for longer. Change the food gradually over about a week.
- How many meals a day?
- International Cat Care: at least four meals a day at 8-12 weeks, at least three from three to six months, and at least two small meals after six months. Free feeding kibble works for many kittens but makes overfeeding after neutering easy; measured meals are safer. Fresh water always.
- How many calories does a 3 month old kitten need?
- Three months is about 13 weeks, in the 13-16 week band: 143 kcal per kg of body weight a day (65 per lb, NRC 2006). That is 172 kcal at 1.2 kg, 215 kcal at 1.5 kg, 286 kcal at 2 kg. For the 1.5 kg kitten it means 2.4 pouches of 90 kcal or 54 g of a 4,000 kcal/kg kitten kibble, in at least three meals. One week earlier the band is 178 kcal per kg (267 kcal at 1.5 kg): the drop is the band, not the kitten.
- How many calories does a 4 month old kitten need?
- Four months is about 17 weeks, in the 17-24 week band: 108 kcal per kg a day (49 per lb, NRC 2006), the same figure up to five months (22 weeks). That is 216 kcal at 2 kg, 270 kcal at 2.5 kg; for the 2.5 kg kitten 3.0 pouches of 90 kcal or 68 g of kitten kibble a day, in at least three meals.
- Is there a kitten calorie calculator?
- Yes: the cat food calculator on this site has a kitten stage. Enter the age in weeks and today's weight and it applies these NRC 2006 bands, then splits the day between pouches and kibble from the calories on your own labels, per meal. Past 40 weeks it switches to the lean-adult line.
More guides
- How much wet food to feed a cat per day?
Pouches and cans a day for cats from 3 to 6 kg, wet only or half wet, half dry, for pouches labelled 70 to 110 kcal, plus the grams of kibble to add.
- How many calories does a cat need per day?
Calories a day for cats from 2 to 8 kg: resting requirement, indoor and neutered, lean and active, the WSAVA chart range and the weight-loss target.
- How much dry food to feed a cat per day? Grams by weight
Grams and cups of dry food a day for 3 to 6 kg cats, and how many grams in a cup of dry cat food: 92 to 113 g on five US labels. Per meal and per bag.
- How many calories should a cat eat to lose weight?
Diet calories by target weight (resting requirement of the ideal weight, AAHA 2021), grams and pouches a day, and how many weeks a safe plan takes at 0.5-2% a week.
Sources
- NRC 2006, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats — adult, puppy and kitten energy equations
- WSAVA, Calorie Needs for Healthy Adult Dogs (July 2020) — chart range for dogs
- WSAVA, Calorie Needs for Healthy Adult Cats (July 2020) — chart range for cats
- AAHA 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines — weight loss at the resting requirement of the target weight
- International Cat Care, Caring for your new kitten (2024) — meals a day by age
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals — individual animals vary by up to 30%
- Royal Canin Kitten, calorie content — 3,823 kcal/kg, read 2026-10-01
- Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe, calorie content — 4,067 kcal/kg, read 2026-10-01
Published 2026-09-17, last updated 2026-10-03. Figures are starting points from the published equations: individual animals vary by up to 30%, so adjust by body condition and ask your vet for puppies under 8 weeks, pregnancy, lactation or any illness.