12.10.2021

How much should my kitten weigh? Find out with our kitten weight chart guide!

We understand that raising kitties can be scary and challenging, especially if it’s your first time. The task is no easier if you’re a foster parent, but with the right help, you can do it!

One of the questions most new kitten parents have is “what should kittens eat?” The answer is not entirely straightforward as the amount of food depends on several factors (for example, the kittens’ breed). What you can learn is how much kittens eat on average and then adjust the amount based on your kittens’ needs.

In this guide, you will find tips and tricks on creating the best feeding system for your cat. You will also learn how to create a kitten weight chart to keep track on your litter and ensure your kittens are making enough progress. Get all the kitten facts you need here!

Keeping track of your kittens’ progress with a kitten growth chart

A kitten growth chart is a table you can use to write down your kittens’ weight after each daily weighing. It should have columns for:

• Date of weighing
• Measured weight
• Name of the kitten (or you can create a separate chart for each kitten)
• Weight difference between the day of measurement and the day before

Why is making a kitten growth chart important?

Making a growth chart allows you to have a clear overview of your kittens’ progress and notice any abnormalities—such as no growth or weight loss—in time.

What can be the cause of kitten weight loss?

If you notice one or more of your kitties slimming down or not growing fast enough, that can be a sign of:

• Inflamed bowels
• Infections
• Intestinal parasites (worms)
• Food allergies
• Underfeeding
• Poor food choice (for weaning kittens)

Without regular weighing, cat parents might not notice that a kitten is losing weight, and by the time more severe symptoms show up, it might be too late. Take your kitten to the vet immediately if you notice some of the following symptoms:

• No interest in food or water
• Lethargy and weakness
• Hiding and seeking solitude
• Low body temperature

Kitten weight 101

Kitten weight depends on various factors, such as:

• Gender—A general rule of thumb is that male cats are larger and weigh more than female cats of the same breed. There are exceptions, though, and you can find tiny boys and big gals in a litter
• Breed—The average weight for an adult Devon Rex is 2.7–4 kilos, but for a Maine Coon, it’s around 6.8 kilos. Naturally, Maine Coon kittens will weigh a lot more than those of a Devon Rex 
• Genetics—Kittens of relatively large parents will also be larger and weigh more than the average for the breed in question
• Diet—Unhealthy food that lacks nutrients might make your kitten gain weight but doesn’t support healthy growth and increases the risk of other health problems

Average kitten weight during their first weeks

During the first six months, kittens grow, and they grow a lot (at least 10 grams per day!). You must weigh the kittens every day to ensure they are healthy and growing. The table below could help you estimate the average kitten weight during the first two months:

Depending on all the factors mentioned above, your kittens might go a little over or under these values, but if you have any suspicions about their growth, you can always consult a vet.

The easiest way to weigh your kittens

Is it your first time weighing kittens? Don’t fret because the process is pretty straightforward, and once you try it, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Let’s do it together:

1. Take a scale (a kitchen scale will do fine during the first few weeks), a cardboard box or a bowl, and a small towel or blanket
2. Put the soft fabric in the box or bowl and put it all together on the scale while it’s still off
3. Turn on the scale and set it to read zero
4. Take out the blanket or towel and use it to grab the kitten you want to weigh (the scale will read a negative value once you take the blanket out—that’s normal)
5. Place the kitten on the cushioned scale and write down the value the scale shows on the kitten weight chart

My kittens won’t stop moving! How do I measure their weight accurately?

If you ever weighed a kitten, you know the struggles of keeping one still enough to do it properly. Playful kittens are a joy to be around but challenging to weigh. You can use one of our tips to get accurate measurements every time:

• Make a kitten purrito—Use a small towel and wrap your kitten like a burrito to prevent them from wriggling too much
• Put your kittens in socks—Gently put your kittens in socks to keep them from moving too much. Socks are tight enough to keep your kitties in place but elastic enough so that they can't get hurt
• Weigh your kittens while they are fast asleep—Take advantage of the frequent naps your kittens take during their first weeks. Weighing sleepy kittens is a breeze as long as you don't wake them up

How much food to give to a kitten

You will need around 2 ml of formula for every 50 grams of the kitten’s weight. For example, if your kitten weighs 150 grams, you will have to feed it 6 ml of formula. If you think you’re not feeding your furballs enough, don’t worry. You’ll know when your kittens are ready for more food by their prominent cries. 

Newborn kittens eat approximately every two hours, while cats that are five to eight weeks old can switch to eating only three times a day. If you’re fostering a kitten, you will have to use a syringe before switching to a bottle.

Pro tip: if you have a foster kitten, stroke their back with a toothbrush to mimic the mother’s tongue. 

Image (c) Untamed

How does switching to solid food impact kitten growth?

The weaning process begins after week five, which means you should:

• Move the kittens away from their mother for a few hours at a time, several times a day, so that they can develop independence (if your kittens have a mother)
• Start introducing your kittens to solid food by mixing some formula with a bit of biscuit or wet food—start with a teaspoon of cat food, then gradually increase the ratio of solid food over time. If some members of the litter are refusing to wean, you can stimulate them by putting a bit of the food mix on your finger and gently smearing it over your kittens’ mouths and gums
• Let your kittens eat from a shallow bowl

During the course of the next few weeks, you want to increase the amount of solid food and decrease the amount of formula in the kittens’ meals. You will notice your kittens sizing up and starting to look like their parents’ mini-mes.

If a kitten is struggling with weaning, you may want to step back and switch to formula again. Some kittens are early weaners, while others take a little bit longer before they’re ready to transition to solids.

Kitten growth over the next few months

In the following months, your kittens will grow even more. An average kitten's weight after weaning usually matches the number of months the kitten is old. For example, the average weight of a three-month-old kitten should be around 1.4 kilos.

Choosing the right solid food for your kittens

While your kittens are busy growing, you need to provide them with food that’s nutritious enough to sustain that growth. The essential component of a healthy kitten’s (and later an adult cat’s) nutrition is animal-based protein, which should make up more than 50% of their daily food intake. Your kittens will thrive and be thrilled to munch on the following protein-packed delicacies:

Be careful if serving liver to your cats—high amounts of liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, which leads to:

• Osteoporosis
• Bone spurs 
• Deformed bones

Solid food for cats comes in two forms:

1. Dry food
2. Wet food

Untamed uses only the freshest, human-grade ingredients to create the perfect meals for your feline friend! 

Image (c) Untamed

Dry food for kittens

Until their teeth develop fully, weaning kittens can munch on dry biscuits that you've softened with some water, formula, or chicken broth. Carefully size your portions because dry food has:

• A high caloric value—It can make your kittens bulk up pretty quickly
• A low percentage of moisture—It could leave your kittens dehydrated. Cats don’t drink much water and won’t feel the need to drink more to compensate for the lack of moisture in the food. Dehydration is the number one cause of urinary diseases in cats and, if left untreated, can lead to kidney failure
• Too many carbohydrates—They can contribute to feline obesity and diabetes

Dry food isn't necessarily bad for cats as long as you pick the right product. Check the ingredients to ensure you aren’t feeding your feline friend the carb-filled junk food of the cat world.

How do kittens respond to wet food?

Cats go wild for wet food, and here’s why:

• Many kittens enjoy the texture and palatability of wet food. It’s easy to munch on and is often the healthiest option for a quality feline diet 
• Wet food ensures optimal hydration of your kittens with a moisture content of astounding 75%
• You can mix wet food with formula for an easier transition to solid food. That way, your kittens get accustomed to the taste and texture of solid food before they stop nursing or eating formula

Are you looking for high-quality wet food options? Try Untamed! Our gently cooked fish and chicken recipes contain no additives and flavourings and help your kittens to thrive! All recipes come with a jelly and gravy option to ensure your sensitive furry friend’s palate is satisfied.

If you think the packaging is pretty, you should check its contents!

Image (c) Untamed

Should kittens eat raw food?

While it’s not recommended, kittens can eat raw food if they:

• Are 20 weeks of age or older
• Have a jaw strong enough for chewing raw meat

If you’re going to let your kitties nibble on raw meat, make sure that:

• The meat is fresh—Poorly stored raw meat can infect your kittens with salmonella or E. coli
• The kittens don’t eat raw meat in excessive amounts—Many cat parents switch to a raw meat diet because of the nutritional benefits and its resemblance to cats' natural diet, but the truth is, too much raw meat can cause a nutritient deficiency, too (for example, an enzyme in raw fish can destroy thiamine—an essential vitamin B)

Keep an eye out for various products on the market that are labelled as raw meat products, such as pet meat, pet mince, and pet rolls. These products, typically in the form of sausages and cooked manufactured meats, usually contain a substantial amount of sulphite preservatives that can cause vitamin B1 deficiency. If left untreated, vitamin B1 deficiency can have a lethal outcome.

Before feeding your kittens raw meat, you should check in with your vet.

Foods kittens should never lay their paws on

Kittens are energetic and curious creatures, which is why you should keep an eye on them while they’re playing in your kitchen. Foods that are dangerous to adult cats can cause even more trouble to kittens since they are smaller in size and more sensitive. Some of the foods you must keep out of claw’s reach include:

Untamed—A premium start for your kittens!

Once your kittens start weaning, they will need a lot of protein and energy. Untamed provides all essential nutrients by using only the best human-grade meats and fish in our formulas. Some chicken broth and sunflower oil and a whole lot of love make our tailor-made recipes irresistible to kittens and adult cats alike!

Say goodbye to allergies!

Chocka Chicken and Tuck-in Tuna are our signature hypoallergenic meals sensitive kitties go wild for! Digesting single-source protein minimises the risk of allergic reactions and helps your furry friend’s organism protect itself from allergens, such as pollen, grass, mold, and fungi.

Growing together

Untamed uses sustainable packaging to ensure food quality does not come at the cost of the planet. While your kittens grow, our planet’s trees will, too!

You’re in charge

We help you give your kittens the best possible life—on your terms. If you aren’t sure whether you want to commit, that’s alright because you don’t have to! You can complete a questionnaire to sign up for a cat food trial box and see whether we’re a good fit for you!

All you need to do is:

1. Visit our Try Now page
2. Enter your cat’s name and age
3. Select a meal plan

The order will be delivered to you within a day—all our shipping is always free. If your cat enjoys our meals, we can send you a fresh batch of cans each month around the same date. There’s no commitment involved when you go for our monthly cat food subscription—you can modify, postpone, pause, or skip a delivery anytime!

Stop it with the smooches, human! 

Image (c) Untamed

Kittens who join the Untamed pack grow healthy and happy!

Cat parents deserve to have a reliable ally in their parenting journey, and that’s what Untamed strives to be! Our pack is growing every day! It’s living proof of the quality we aspire to maintain and the views we stand by. We believe that cat food isn’t just food but rather the means to provide the best life imaginable for your furry friend!

Some of the benefits you will most likely see include:

• Consistent digestion leading to a tidier litter box
• A fabulous coat that’s as soft as it is shiny
• Higher energy levels making playtime a completely different experience than it used to be
• Significantly fewer hair balls around the house
• Easy weight regulation with perfect-sized meals
• More time for snuggles because our meals don’t require additional prepping

Do you want to see the progress with your own eyes? You can! Order our trial box today and watch your kitten take the first paw towards a healthful life!

Moooooom, the box is empty! Can we pawlease order another one? 

Image (c) Untamed