Feeding a British Shorthair kitten
Calm, dignified and famously food-motivated teddy-bear cats. Growing kittens need more energy per kilogram than adults to fuel rapid development — but the goal is always a lean, steadily-growing animal, not a chubby one. The chart below uses the kitten growth lifestyle factor (×2) across a typical growth-weight range.
| Body weight | Daily calories | Dry kibble ~3,600 kcal/kg | Wet ~1,100 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 g | 118 kcal | 33 g | 108 g |
| 1.829 kg | 220 kcal | 61 g | 200 g |
| 2.857 kg | 308 kcal | 85 g | 280 g |
| 3.886 kg | 387 kcal | 108 g | 352 g |
| 4.914 kg | 462 kcal | 128 g | 420 g |
| 5.943 kg | 533 kcal | 148 g | 484 g |
| 6.971 kg | 601 kcal | 167 g | 546 g |
| 8 kg | 666 kcal | 185 g | 605 g |
What to feed a British Shorthair kitten
Cats are true obligate carnivores: they require animal-derived protein, taurine, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A. Wet food is strongly recommended as a significant part of the diet because cats have a naturally low thirst drive and are prone to urinary and kidney problems on dry-only diets.
Watch the growth curve
British Shorthairs are stocky and low-energy with a strong tendency to obesity — their round shape can hide weight gain. Weigh food and feel for ribs rather than trusting their naturally chunky look.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a British Shorthair kitten?
Kittens need far more energy per kilogram than adults — often around double. Feed a kitten-appropriate formula to maintain a lean body condition (never fat), split across three to four meals a day, and use the chart above for their current weight.
How many times a day should a British Shorthair kitten eat?
Young cats do best on frequent small meals — commonly three to four a day — because their small stomachs and fast growth need steady fuel.