Kitten Feeding Calculator
Daily kibble amount based on your kitten's age and estimated adult weight. Uses NRC kitten energy guidelines for a premium kitten kibble at ~4000 kcal/kg (Royal Canin Kitten, Hill's Science Diet Kitten, Black Hawk Kitten).
These are starting points. Watch your kitten's body condition weekly — you should feel ribs with light cover and see a slight waist from above. Adjust by ±10% to maintain.
Kitten feeding rules of thumb
- Under 4 months: 4 meals a day. Tiny stomachs, huge growth demands.
- 4–6 months: 3 meals a day.
- 7–12 months: 2 meals a day.
- Kittens can free-feed kibble safely — unlike puppies — but portion-controlled is better for long-term weight management.
- Always include wet food. Kittens should get at least one wet meal per day from weaning. Urinary health and hydration habits are set young.
- Weigh the food on kitchen scales, not by cup. Cups are 20–30% unreliable.
When to transition to adult food
Most kittens transition to adult cat food at 12 months. Large breeds (Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat) stay on kitten food until 15–18 months — they keep growing. Your vet will confirm at the 12-month check.
Wet vs dry for kittens
Both. A kitten eating only dry kibble misses a critical window for setting hydration habits, which correlates with lower urinary tract disease in adulthood. A kitten eating only wet food may have underdeveloped jaw muscles and delayed adult teeth. Aim for 60/40 wet to dry through the first year.