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The Daily Insight

How can I get my kitten to put on weight?

Author

James Olson

Updated on March 10, 2026

How to feed a cat to help them gain weight
  1. Splitting their daily portion into smaller meals you put down regularly.
  2. Heating up their food to release the aromas and encourage their appetite.
  3. Avoiding watching your cat eating, as they can find this stressful.

Accordingly, how long does it take a kitten to gain weight?

From around two months, weigh your kitten every week or two to check on its growth—the greatest weight gain will come at four to five months, where kittens put on an average of 3.5 oz a week.

Furthermore, how can I fatten up my skinny cat? Most cats simply need more meals per day and/or free access to dry food in order to gain weight. Cats prefer to 'graze' or eat small meals throughout the day so having food available all day long can make all the difference. Be sure to check with your vet to see if this would be a good option for your cat.

Furthermore, how can I tell if my kitten is underweight?

Underweight Cat (1-4)

There will be minimal muscle mass with no obvious fat, with a pronounced abdominal tuck. Ribs can be easily felt and the backbones and waist behind ribs will be visually obvious. The cat will have a minimal fat covering across their body and on their tummy.

What do you do with a kitten at night?

A secure and comfortable room like the laundry is ideal, or you might even want to consider a pen or large crate so that you can control your kitten's movements at night. Kittens love to be nice and cosy, so make sure there are lots of blankets, and that the bed has reasonably high sides to provide extra warmth.

Related Question Answers

How much wet food should a kitten get?

Many wet foods come in three-ounce cans and recommend feeding approximately one can a day for every three to three and a half pounds of body weight.

How often do kittens poop?

Kittens should urinate after each feeding and have a bowel movement one to four times a day.

How can you tell how old a kitten is?

A kitten's weight in pounds roughly corresponds to his age in months, and he will gain weight at a relatively predictable rate until about 5 months of age. As long as a kitten is in good body condition, you can safely guess that a 1-pound kitten is about 4 weeks old and a 3-pound kitten is about 12 weeks old.

How much should a 10 week old kitten weigh?

Kittens ready for adoption at 10-12 weeks should weigh 3.5-4 pounds. Another way to calculate age is by adding 100 grams per week, so a 10-week-old kitten should weigh around 1000 grams (1 kg, or 2.2 pounds).

Can you overfeed a kitten?

Overfeeding: Kittens have tiny stomachs and can only handle small amounts of food at each feeding. Overfeeding a kitten can cause diarrhea which can lead to dehydration and ultimately, if left untreated, death to the kitten. Normal kitten stool should be firm and yellowish in color.

How heavy should my kitten be?

The basic rule of thumb is that the average-sized cat will gain about 1 pound a month, so at six months of age, your kitten should weigh about 6 pounds with a lanky torso and legs. It may seem a little disproportionate, but your kitten will soon grow into its long legs and body just like a human preteen does.

Is it normal for kittens to be skinny?

Has the kitten had its first vet visit and vaccinations? One other thought, usually between 3–4 months of age the kittens will experience a growth spurt and sometimes as they elongate they can get a bit skinny for a while. Just offer them a little extra higher calorie foods along with their regular diet.

Should you be able to feel a kittens spine?

A healthy body shape for your cat

Check your cat's weight every couple of weeks, starting when they're a kitten. You should be able to feel your cat's ribs, spine and hipbones quite easily but they shouldn't stick out. Feel the base of your cat's tail.

What if my kitten is underweight?

If your cat is underweight, seems tired or "quiet," or has poor skin and coat condition or loose stools, see your veterinarian. Your kitten should always have access to fresh water. If you leave your cat on kitten food for too long, he could gain too much weight.

Why is my cats stomach bloated and hard?

Kittens and cats develop bloated stomachs because of several different reasons: Intestinal parasites (roundworm, hookworm, protozoal parasites) Retaining too much fluid (develops from liver or kidney failure) Overeating (If this is chronic, an underlying disease may be the cause)

How can you tell if a cat is unhappy?

Body language: Sometimes your cat's body language can clue you in on their unhappiness and there are many eye, ear, fur, and body positions that can indicate this. Ears held back, tail tucked, hair standing on end, and other body signs are all forms of silent communication that your cat may be sad.

What is a healthy cat weight?

Ideal Weight for Cats

Most domestic cats should weigh about 10 pounds, though that can vary by breed and frame. A Siamese cat may weigh as few as 5 pounds, while a Maine Coon can be 25 pounds and healthy.

How long does it take for a malnourished cat to gain weight?

We also recommend monitoring the body condition score and activity level to adjust the caloric intake accordingly, once the ideal weight and body condition for the frame of the cat has been achieved. The entire process can take a few months and weight gain should be a slow and steady process.

How do you know if your cat has worms?

Often cats will show no symptoms at all, but common signs to look out for include: Increased appetite. Overly cleaning or washing the area around its bottom. Small segments of worms or rice-looking grains in the fur around the bottom.

How much weight should a kitten gain each week?

Kittens should gain about ½ ounce (14 grams) every day or 4 ounces (113 grams) per week. Weigh them at the same time every day with a kitchen or small postal scale. Lack of weight gain in a 24 hour period is cause for concern.

How much does an 8 week old kitten weigh?

about two pounds

Is my kitten overweight?

If you have to press firmly in order to feel her ribs, then she may be overweight. If you can't feel her ribs at all, then your kitty may actually be obese. Another way to tell is to use the 1-5 body condition score. Stand over and look down at your cat while she's standing.

How much should a kitten weigh kg?

It varies depending on the breed but for most domestic cats, you can take 10 pounds (4-4.5 kg) as an ideal weight. Certain larger breeds can weigh as much as 25 pounds (11 kg) and smaller breeds can weigh as little as 5 pounds (2.2 kg).

How much do kittens sleep?

How many hours a day does a kitten sleep? A new born kitten's daily routine is made up of sleeping 90 percent of the time — that is almost 22 hours! As kittens mature beyond the new born stage, they will sleep less; but even at six months of age they still manage to spend about 16 to 20 hours a day dozing.

How much should a 2 month old kitten weigh?

about 2 pounds