How do I know that my kitten is getting enough to eat?

When kittens are getting enough to eat, they’ll get a nice big fat belly. Well-fed kittens won't feel too ribby over the back. If you have food down and the kittens are eating it, your cat will self-regulate. If your kitten is not eating, then you should be worried and take them to the vet.

That's something that you can discuss with your veterinarian. We look at their body condition, their hair coat, things like that to make sure that they're eating enough. There are also some ways that we can calculate their basic energy requirements, and there are some feeding charts and recommendations out there as well. But each kitten is individual, and you can best figure out what they need with your veterinarian.

The best way would be to monitor their weight. If they're gaining weight in the right places, that would be a good sign that they're eating what they need to be. And there is a body condition score, so your veterinarian can look at your kitten and see if they're underweight or at an appropriate weight.

Well-fed kittens are usually quiet and comfortable. However, kittens can also be quiet if they are lethargic or dehydrated. It is important to observe the temperament of the kitten. Lively and comfortable kittens are likely being well fed, while extremely lethargic kittens may be dehydrated and malnourished. If you have any concerns or questions about your kitten's nutrition, consult a veterinarian for guidance.

Your kitten should have a nice little plump belly. He should be very happy, not irritable, not whining, not crying out as much. Most kittens will sleep about 90% of the time. So if they're sleeping a lot and they seem relatively happy and content, that'll tell me that they're pretty okay with the amount of food that they're getting. If you're unsure, I know sometimes worms can look very similar, you can always check in with your veterinarian to make sure that they're growing big and strong and that they're continuing to gain weight appropriately.