How Much To Feed A 4 Month Old Kitten: Quick Guide

Proper nutrition on every life stage is necessary to raise a healthy kitten. Feeding might look simple at first glance, but there’s more to it than what meets the eye, especially if you have a 16-week old kitty.

Knowing how much to feed a four-month-old kitten should always be based on its needs and the vet’s advice. In general, you need to provide the kitty at least four meals a day with a 1/3 to 3/4 cup serving for each one.

How much should a four-month-old kitten eat?

At four months, your kitten will show signs of adolescence. It will still have the kitten energy, but it can become more adventurous.

During the 3 to 6-month phase, your kitten should be eating around 1/3 to ¾ cup of dry kitten food on every meal.

On the other hand, meal frequency should be 3 to 4 times a day, depending on how large your kitten is.

If you have a small breed, you must divide a day’s worth of food into many servings. This way, your kitten will have a source of energy throughout the day.

However, if you’re giving wet food, you should serve 3 ounces for every pound of your cat’s body weight.

As your kitten grows older, the serving becomes larger while the frequency decreases. However, you should always consult with the vet, especially if your cat has a health problem.

Take note that your cat’s dietary needs will evolve. Therefore, food options will also change based on the needs and sensitivities of the kitty.

It would help if you also remembered that at 16 weeks, your kitten would be more predatory. For example, it will try chasing after playfully moving objects.

Such increased activity will require more calorie intake. Still, this highly depends on the personality and breed characteristics of the cat.

As a rule of thumb, a growing kitten at this age should consume at least 250 calories a day, 280 for active ones.

However, if you have a large breed like Maine Coons, you need to amp it up at 360 calories per day. Please read here how to force feed a cat.

What to feed a four-month-old kitten

If your kitten is less than a year old, it’s best to feed it with a kitten formula or kitten food. This will ensure that your growing kitty receives the right nourishment it needs.

Unlike adult cat food, kitten food has a specific nutrient composition to support its fast-growing bodies.

For a month old, it’s best to kitten food that the veterinarian recommends. This will prevent any adverse reaction, especially if you’re transitioning the kitten to a new food product.

Aside from food, hydration is also important for growing kittens. Always keep a bowl of cool and clean water or a water fountain if your kitten doesn’t seem to touch the bowl.

Take note that you shouldn’t give four-month-old kittens cow’s milk because cats can’t digest lactose, which will only lead to stomach upset.

What is best for a four-month-old kitten, wet or dry food?

The debate between wet and dry food isn’t new, but for the most part, a four-month-old kitten will usually thrive in a wet food diet.

You can introduce wet food during the weaning process during your kitten’s 8th week of life.

If your kitten doesn’t seem to like wet food, you can slowly introduce dry food or kibble by adding it in small increments into their meals.

Remember, when transitioning a kitten to a new food, you must do it slowly and patiently.

Take note that once your kitten reaches six months old, its baby teeth will start to fall off.

During this time, it might be best to give your kitten dry food that it can chew to soothe its aching gums.

How much should a four month old kitten weigh?

A 4-month-old kitten should weigh around 4.5 kilograms. This is based on the fact that healthy kittens should be gaining 500 grams of body weight per month.

However, this will vary based on your kitten’s breed. For example, Maine Coons and Ragdolls will weigh more at four months than average-sized cats.

However, if your kitten is lighter than its ideal weight, you should bring it to the vet for an examination. Your kitty might be dealing with a health problem that’s causing it to lose weight.

You should also assess your feeding habits because the kitten might not be getting the nutrition it needs.

Take note that being overweight isn’t advisable for kittens as well. However, if your pet is heavier than normal, you should increase its physical activities and watch its diet.

One culprit is excessive treats, which are not properly integrated into the cat’s allowed calorie intake.

My 5 Tips in feeding a 4 month old kitten

Feeding a growing kitten has its pains and gains, but with the right technique, you can raise a well-nourished kitten at home. Here are some of the tips I swear by:

#1. Small but frequent servings 

Although kittens will grow substantially at four months, you should still spread their meals throughout the day. This way, your pet won’t suffer from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels due to food deprivation. Please read here How Long Can A Diabetic Cat Go Without Insulin

#2. Keep meals interesting

A 4 month old kitten can be picky, so I recommend keeping mealtimes interesting. For example, you can add a teaspoon of canned pumpkin on one day then a drop of fish oil.

#3. Watch the serving

Some kittens can have a big appetite, so ensure that you observe proper serving on each meal. At four months old, you can stop free-feeding.

If you’re worried that your cat may go hungry in between feedings, you can split a day’s worth of food into 4 to 5 meals.

#4. Watch out for sensitivities

Kittens can develop a food allergy at some point in their lives. It may manifest as diarrhea, vomiting, itching, and more.

If you notice these symptoms on your kitten, you should bring them to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

#5. Check the poo

Aside from feeding your kitten, you should also check its feces. This will give you a bigger picture of your pet’s health and if it has a food allergy.

For example, if your kitten’s fecal matter has a brown color and a toothpaste-like consistency, it’s healthy and normal. Other than that, it may require veterinarian care.

Conclusion

Knowing how much to feed a four month old kitten is the first step in ensuring that your pet gets the right nourishment. You should also choose the best kitten food that’s complete and balanced to support the growing body of the feline.

When in doubt, the vet is always there to help and advise accordingly. While it’s not easy to raise a kitten, you can always ask for help.