Cat Tools
Kitten Growth Chart
Compare your kitten's weight with a typical age range and learn what healthy kitten growth should look like.
Check Your Kitten's Growth
Enter your kitten's age and weight. This compares them with a broad typical range, not a breed-specific medical standard.
This chart is a general guide. Kittens that are weak, not eating, losing weight, or failing to gain should be checked by a veterinarian.
Kitten Weight Chart by Age
Use this chart to understand common kitten growth patterns. Healthy kittens should gain steadily, but exact size varies.
| Age | Typical weight | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 0.25–0.35 lb | Eyes still closed or just beginning to open. |
| 2 weeks | 0.4–0.7 lb | Eyes open, still dependent on mother or bottle feeding. |
| 4 weeks | 0.8–1.1 lb | Starting to walk better and explore. |
| 6 weeks | 1.2–1.7 lb | Eating more solid food and playing actively. |
| 8 weeks | 1.8–2.4 lb | Common adoption age; should be active and steadily gaining. |
| 12 weeks | 2.5–3.5 lb | Rapid growth, vaccines, and social learning. |
| 16 weeks | 3.5–5.5 lb | Longer body, stronger coordination, high play drive. |
| 6 months | 5.5–8.5 lb | Adolescent stage; growth rate begins to slow. |
| 9 months | 6.5–10.5 lb | Approaching adult size for many cats. |
| 12 months | 7.5–12 lb | Adult size for many cats, though large breeds may keep growing. |
How to Track Kitten Growth
A chart is useful, but the trend is more important. A kitten that gains steadily and acts healthy is usually less concerning than one that stops gaining.
Weigh kittens consistently
Use the same scale and weigh at the same time of day. Young kittens can change quickly, so trend matters more than one number.
Watch appetite and energy
A growing kitten should be alert, playful, and eating well. Poor appetite or low energy is more concerning than a single chart mismatch.
Feed kitten-formulated food
Kittens need more calories, protein, and nutrients than adult cats. Adult maintenance food is not ideal for early growth.
Large breeds grow longer
Maine Coons and other large breeds may keep filling out beyond 12 months, so generic charts are only a starting point.
Kitten Growth FAQ
How much should a kitten weigh at 8 weeks?
Many 8-week-old kittens weigh around 1.8 to 2.4 lb, but breed, birth weight, litter size, nutrition, and health can change the range.
How often should I weigh my kitten?
For young kittens, weekly weighing is useful. Very young orphaned kittens may need daily weighing under rescue or veterinary guidance.
What if my kitten is below the chart?
Check appetite, stool, energy, hydration, and weight trend. Contact a veterinarian if your kitten is not gaining, seems weak, has diarrhea, vomits, or refuses food.
When do kittens stop growing?
Many cats reach adult size around 12 months, but larger breeds may continue growing for 18 months or longer.