Animal Welfare Professionals

Greetings.

I am curious about perspectives on the frequency for weighing neonatal and underage kittens.

The Koret Shelter Medicine Guide, "Raising Unweaned & Underage Kittens," is clear:

"Weigh kittens once daily at the same time and under consistent conditions (e.g., before or after feeding and stimulation-but always the same). On average, kittens should gain about ½ ounce (14 grams) per day, or roughly 4 ounces (113 grams) per week. Keep in mind, these numbers may vary depending on the individual kitten and the resources available."

But other sources indicate weighing more frequently, including recommendations to weigh before and after every feeding.

Weighing more than once per day may introduce a certain amount of noise (clinically insignificant variations become louder and mask clear trajectories). But perhaps there are patterns to be discerned through more-than-once-per-day feedings?

#EducationandTraining
#FosterPrograms
#Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization

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Daniel Wenger
Founder
Foster Kitten

https://fosterkitten.app/
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I think weighing before and after feeding is more useful if you're using a method of delivery that doesn't easily track the amount consumed, like bottles. With syringes, we know exactly how much they've eaten and can look for variations there. We weigh once daily. Weight can fluctuate throughout the day and we're checking for it to trend upwards day to day. 

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Mandy Dwyer
Founder
Bitty Kitty Brigade

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Of course! That makes perfect sense. Thank you!

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Daniel Wenger
Founder
Foster Kitten
https://fosterkitten.app/
Portland OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2026 08:07 AM
From: mandy dwyer
Subject: How often to weigh neonatal kittens

I think weighing before and after feeding is more useful if you're using a method of delivery that doesn't easily track the amount consumed, like bottles. With syringes, we know exactly how much they've eaten and can look for variations there. We weigh once daily. Weight can fluctuate throughout the day and we're checking for it to trend upwards day to day. 

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Mandy Dwyer
Founder
Bitty Kitty Brigade

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I completely agree, our shelter weighs once in the morning before the first feeding, and we always use syringes if they need supplemental feeding by staff or volunteers. If you haven't I would highly recommend kitten college, they helped us review our kitten protocols last kitten season and I believe they have a course on Maddie's University.

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Laurel Wilton
Feline Welfare Supervisor
Nebraska Humane Society
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2026 08:07 AM
From: mandy dwyer
Subject: How often to weigh neonatal kittens

I think weighing before and after feeding is more useful if you're using a method of delivery that doesn't easily track the amount consumed, like bottles. With syringes, we know exactly how much they've eaten and can look for variations there. We weigh once daily. Weight can fluctuate throughout the day and we're checking for it to trend upwards day to day. 

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Mandy Dwyer
Founder
Bitty Kitty Brigade

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Hi Daniel! Good question. You'll find your answer and lots more information in the National Kitten Coalition's Kitten Resource Library. 

https://library.kittencoalition.org

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Nancy Peterson
The National Kitten Coalition
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