Last updated: May 2026
At four weeks, kittens start getting teeth. Tiny, sharp, needle-like teeth that will absolutely destroy your fingers. This is when mom cat starts getting tired of nursing, and you step in.
Mix high-quality kitten formula with wet kitten food — about 75% formula, 25% food. Warm it slightly. Serve on a shallow plate because kittens are terrible at bowls. They will walk in it. They will fall asleep in it. This is normal.
Feed four to six times a day. Yes, that is a lot. Set alarms. Kittens this age need roughly 250-300 kcal per kilogram of body weight per day. A typical 500g kitten needs about 125-150 kcal daily, split into tiny portions.
By week seven, most kittens can handle mostly solid food. Transition to 25% formula, 75% wet kitten food. They will still make a mess. Accept this.
At this stage, a 700g kitten needs about 175-210 kcal per day. Four meals is the sweet spot. Do not free-feed. Kittens have no self-control. None. They will eat until they look like furry balloons.
Water becomes critical now. Fresh water, changed twice daily. Some kittens prefer running water. A cheap pet fountain is worth it.
This is when kittens double in size seemingly overnight. One day they fit in your palm. The next day they are knocking things off shelves.
A 1kg kitten needs roughly 250 kcal per day. Three to four meals. Wet food is ideal — it provides hydration and is easier to digest. If you use dry food, moisten it with warm water.
Pro tip: weigh your kitten weekly. They should gain about 100g per week. If they are not gaining, or gaining too fast, adjust portions. Growth charts exist for a reason.
Months four to six are ridiculous. Kittens act like they have never eaten in their entire lives. They will steal food from your plate. They will eat the dog's food. They will try to eat your houseplants.
A 2kg kitten needs about 300-350 kcal per day. Three meals. This is peak calorie need — they are building muscle, bone, and attitude.
Introduce variety slowly. Different proteins, different textures. But do it one at a time. Kittens have sensitive stomachs, and diarrhea at 3 AM is not fun for anyone.
Growth starts to slow. A 3kg kitten at month nine needs about 300 kcal per day — same as a 2kg kitten at month five. See the pattern? Bigger body, same calories because growth is tapering off.
Two to three meals is fine now. Start thinking about transitioning to adult food around month ten, but do not rush it. Large breeds like Maine Coons need kitten food until 18 months.
Most cats can switch to adult food at 12 months. Large breeds wait until 18 months. The rule is simple: when they stop growing, switch.
Transition over 7-10 days. Mix 75% kitten food with 25% adult food for three days. Then 50/50 for three days. Then 25/75. Then full adult. Any faster and you will have digestive drama.
And remember — adult cats need fewer calories per kilogram than kittens. Use our calculator to get the exact number for your now-grown cat. They will still act hungry. They always do.