What to Feed a Kitten
The ideal food for kittens is one specifically designed for their developmental stage. Kitten food is enriched with high levels of protein, crucial for healthy growth, along with increased amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron to promote strong bones and teeth. It also contains higher concentrations of vitamin C and vitamin E to support a robust immune system.
Ultimately, unless a medical condition dictates otherwise, the choice between feeding your kitten dry food, wet food, or a combination of both is entirely up to you—and, naturally, your new furry companion!
Benefits of Dry Kitten Food
- Dry complete kitten diets are easy to measure and use, and have a longer shelf-life once opened than wet foods.
- They also help to keep your kitten’s teeth healthy. You can expect your kitten to chew dry food more actively, and it can help remove plaque from the teeth of older kittens.
- Smaller kibbles in most dry kitten food are easy for kittens to chew and swallow.
- You can give your kitten exactly the amount that they need.
Benefits of Wet Kitten Food
- Some kittens simply prefer wet food's smell and texture, as it smells stronger and is softer than dry food.
- Wet food can still be very convenient with single-serve pouches and trays giving your kitten a fresh, easy-to-serve meal each time.
- Your kitten will have increased water intake.
How to feed kittens
Cats are creatures of habit, so getting into a regular routine as soon as possible is best for both you and your kitten. Feed your kitten in the same place and at the same times each day, in a quiet area where they can relax, well away from their litter tray.
Choose a surface that can be easily cleaned, or use a kitten feeding mat, and always use a clean bowl, as cats are very particular creatures at heart. Some kittens may prefer to eat from a flat bowl or saucer – this can also help slow down fast eaters!
If you have more than one kitten, make sure their feeding bowls are a reasonable distance apart to avoid any confrontation. If your kittens really don’t get along, you may even need to have completely separate feeding areas to keep the peace.
Changing kitten food
Your kitten’s digestive system can be very sensitive – so it’s best to avoid changing their food unless absolutely necessary to avoid upset stomachs. To keep your new arrival happy and healthy, it’s best to stick with the food that the breeder or rescue centre was feeding them, unless of course it wasn’t nutritionally balanced. If your kitten becomes unwell, suddenly refuses food or starts to eat less, consult your vet.
If your vet suggests that you should change your kitten’s food, you will need to make sure it’s done gradually to avoid upsetting your kitten’s delicate digestion. Try these steps:
- Offer your kitten both the new and old foods separately to let them try each.
- Once they’ve tasted it, mix a little of the new food in with their old food.
- Over the course of 7-10 days, increase the proportions until you’re feeding them only new food.
Take it slowly – in some cases the change could take longer.
- If your kitten’s diet needs to be changed for health reasons, you should consult your vet on the best way and time to make the changes to their diet.
If you’re switching from a wet to a dry food, remember that your kitten is going to chew more actively, need more water and might make repeat visits to their bowl rather than eating in one sitting.
Dry foods give your kitten more energy than wet foods, so you may need to give your kitten more wet food to get the same amount of calories. Whatever the age of your cat, you should make sure they have enough fresh water at all times.
When to start feeding a kitten adult food
Kittens might look grown up by six to eight months, but they’re still kittens on the inside! Their bones are still growing stronger, and their bodies will keep filling out.
Keep feeding them their nutritious kitten food until they’re about 12 months old, when they can make the switch to adult food. Take a look at our guide to feeding an adult cat for more information.
