Estimated Kitten Age (weeks) Kitten Weight

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Kitten Bottle Feeding
and Stomach Capacity Chart
Estimated 
Kitten Age 
(weeks)
Kitten 
Weight 
(lbs, oz)
Kitten 
Weight 
(grams)
Daily Caloric 
Requirement* 
Amount of Formula 
Per Day (ml)**
Amount Per 
Feeding (ml)*
Approximate 
Number of 
Feedings Per 
Day***
< 1 week
2 oz
57 g
11 kcal
15 ml
2 ml
7
3 oz
85 g
17 kcal
23 ml
3 ml
7
4 oz
113 g
23 kcal
31 ml
5 ml
7
1 week
5 oz
142 g
28 kcal
38 ml
6 ml
7
6 oz
170 g
34 kcal
46 ml
7 ml
7
7 oz
198 g
40 kcal
54 ml
8 ml
7
8 oz
227 g
45 kcal
61 ml
9 ml
7
2 weeks
9 oz
255 g
51 kcal
69 ml
10 ml
7
10 oz
283 g
57 kcal
77 ml
11 ml
7
11 oz
312 g
62 kcal
84 ml
12 ml
6-7
3 weeks
+
12 oz
340 g
68 kcal
92 ml
14 ml
6-7
13 oz
369 g
74 kcal
100 ml
15 ml
6
14 oz
397 g
79 kcal
107 ml
16 ml
5
15 oz
425 g
85 kcal
115 ml
17 ml
5
4 weeks
+
16 oz (1 lb)
454 g
91 kcal
123 ml
18 ml
5
1 lb, 1 oz
482 g
96 kcal
130 ml
19 ml
4
1 lb, 2 oz
510 g
102 kcal
138 ml
20 ml
4
1 lb, 3 oz
539 g
108 kcal
146 ml
22 ml
4
5 weeks
+
1 lb, 4 oz
567 g
113 kcal
153 ml
23 ml
4
* The daily caloric requirement was calculated using 20 kcal/100 g body weight and the amount per feeding using 4 ml/100 g body weight. The energy 
requirement is 
~
20-26 kcal/100g body weight daily and the maximum comfortable stomach capacity is 
~
4 ml/100 g body weight.
1
** Concentration 0.74 kcal/ml. Most commercial kitten milk replacers in the US provide less than 1 kcal/ml (0.74 kcal/ml), acting to increase the volume 
of milk required to meet caloric needs. This can be problematic in terms of the number and size of feedings given relative to stomach capacity and 
more likely to result in gastrointestinal disturbances. This may also account for why bottle fed kittens grow slower than kittens that nurse off a mother. 
*** As the kitten is adjusting well to the milk and the feeding volume, you may be able to increase the volume fed to help reduce the number of feedings 
per day. Be aware that exceeding the stomach capacity (amount per feeding) may put the kitten at risk of aspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, and gas 
build-up in the stomach and intestines. 
+
Kittens at this age (3 ½ -5 weeks) are usually eating some solid food, decreasing the amount of milk replacer required to meet daily caloric 
requirements. This may result in less frequent milk feedings. 
Cited reference:
1 
Lawler, D. F. “Neonatal and pediatric care of the puppy and kitten.” Theriogenology, vol. 70, no.3, 2008, pp. 384-392.
Additional references:
Cline, Jill. “Cattery Management and Nutrition of the Queen and Her Offspring.” Management of Pregnant and Neonatal Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets, 
edited by Cheryl Lopate, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2012, pp.15-24.
Zambelli, Daniele. “Feline Neonatal Physiology, Behavior, and Socialization.” Management of Pregnant and Neonatal Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets, 
edited by Cheryl Lopate, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2012, pp.145-158.
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