Kitten weight chart by age
| Age | Typical weight (lb) | Typical weight (g) | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 0.19-0.25 lb | 86-113 g | Eyes and ears closed |
| 1 week | 0.25-0.38 lb | 113-172 g | |
| 2 weeks | 0.38-0.5 lb | 172-227 g | Eyes open (7-14 days) |
| 3 weeks | 0.5-0.75 lb | 227-340 g | Starts to walk; ears open |
| 4 weeks | 0.75-1 lb | 340-454 g | Begins weaning onto wet food |
| 5 weeks | 1-1.5 lb | 454-680 g | |
| 6 weeks | 1.5-1.75 lb | 680-794 g | |
| 7 weeks | 1.75-2 lb | 794-907 g | |
| 8 weeks (2 months) | 2-2.5 lb | 907-1,134 g | First vaccines; can go to a new home |
| 3 months | 3-3.5 lb | 1,361-1,588 g | Second vaccines |
| 4 months | 4-4.5 lb | 1,814-2,041 g | Adult teeth coming in |
| 5 months | 5-5.5 lb | 2,268-2,495 g | |
| 6 months | 5.5-6.5 lb | 2,495-2,948 g | Spay/neuter often done by now |
| 9 months | 7-8 lb | 3,175-3,629 g | |
| 12 months | 8-10 lb | 3,629-4,536 g | Most cats near adult size |
Ranges are for typical domestic shorthair kittens. Males are often at the upper end. Large breeds such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls grow faster and for longer, often until 3-4 years old.
How fast should a kitten gain weight?
- First 2 weeks: about 10-15 g a day; birth weight usually doubles by 1-2 weeks.
- Weeks 2-8: about 100 g (3-4 oz) a week.
- 2-6 months: about 1 lb (450 g) a month.
- 6-12 months: growth slows as your kitten approaches adult weight.
Weigh young kittens daily on a kitchen scale in grams. A kitten that loses weight or does not gain for 1-2 days in the first weeks needs to see a vet, because kittens can decline quickly.
Feeding for healthy growth
Kittens need about twice the calories per pound of adult cats. Feed a complete kitten food (growth formula) until about 12 months, in 3-4 meals a day until 6 months. Our cat food calculator has a kitten setting.
When will my kitten be full grown?
Most domestic cats reach adult size at about 12 months, though they may fill out until 18 months. See typical adult weights by breed on our cat weight chart.
Frequently asked questions
How much should an 8-week-old kitten weigh?
About 2-2.5 lb (900-1,100 g). Kittens should weigh at least 2 lb before spay or neuter surgery.
How much should a 3-month-old kitten weigh?
About 3-3.5 lb (1.4-1.6 kg), using the rule of thumb of roughly 1 lb per month of age.
How much should a 6-month-old kitten weigh?
About 5.5-6.5 lb (2.5-3 kg) for a typical domestic cat.
My kitten is small for its age. Should I worry?
Kittens vary, and a small kitten that is active, eating and gaining steadily is usually fine. See a vet if your kitten stops gaining, has diarrhea, a pot belly or seems lethargic, which can mean parasites or illness.