Kitten Food
What is kitten food, and what makes it different from adult cat food?
Kitten food is formulated with your tiny kitty in mind. Just like human babies require a special diet, kittens need a particular, high-calorie, high-protein blend of nutrients and vitamins to meet their needs and help them grow and develop.
What is the best age to transition my kitten to dry food?
When your cat reaches his or her first birthday, it’s a good idea to start transitioning to adult cat food. Continuing to consume extra calories can lead to obesity and the underlying conditions that come along with being overweight. At this age, your cat is close to reaching his or her full adult weight, and they no longer require the additional calories and protein found in kitten food.
To transition your cat to adult food smoothly and without upsetting your kitty’s sensitive stomach, begin by feeding 75% of the kitten food you’ve been feeding with 25% of their new adult food. Over the course of several days (or even a couple of weeks, if your cat is prone to digestive upset), gradually increase the amount of adult food and decrease the amount of kitten food until you have fully transitioned your cat to the new diet.
How often should I feed my kitten?
If your kitten is under the age of 6 weeks and unable to nurse, the best food for him or her is a milk replacement formula like KMR Kitten Milk Replacer Powder. Because very young kittens should stay with their mothers at this age whenever possible, you should always speak to your veterinarian to be sure your supplemental diet will meet his or her needs at this critical stage.
After 6 weeks, you may start transitioning from formula to kitten food (using a method similar to the one listed above for transitioning from kitten to adult food). Kittens between 6 and 12 weeks old should eat 3 or more times daily at regularly-spaced increments.
At 12 weeks, increase the kitten’s food intake based on the requirements of his or her specific food. At this age, kittens should eat every 8 hours (or as close to this schedule as possible), for a total of 3 times daily.
By the age of 6 months, your kitten can gradually transition to a twice-daily feeding schedule. Be sure to continue increasing his or her food intake as they grow and gain weight! This feeding schedule is best for an 8-month-old or 10-month-old kitten as well, and will continue to be the ideal feeding plan until you switch to adult cat food.
If your kitten has specific health concerns, like weight gain issues, a sensitive stomach (including frequent diarrhea or loose stools), food sensitivity (requiring a special diet, such as a grain-free kitten food), consult your veterinarian for help with finding the best food for your kitten’s individual needs.
What is the best kitten food?
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Feline Food is a tasty, prescription kitten food that provides kittens with complete, balanced nutrition, including moderate fat, limited carbohydrates, high protein, and B-vitamins. Made by Purina, one of the best, most trusted kitten food brands, this dry food also contains MCT oil and prebiotic fiber for digestive health.
Orijen Cat & Kitten Dry Food is one of the top veterinarian responses to pet parents who ask, “What is the best dry kitten food?” This high-quality food is biologically appropriate, offering fresh ingredients without grains, fillers, or preservatives.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Feline Food is a prescription kitten food that contains hypoallergenic carbohydrates, a highly digestible formula, and balanced nutrients for kittens with food sensitivities or allergies.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Evolutionary Diet Chicken Recipe Grain Free Kitten Food is one of the best canned, wet kitten foods on the market. Free of wheat, corn, preservatives, and meat by-products, this food supports coat, skin, eye, heart, immune, muscle, and brain health. It is made by Blue Buffalo, one of the best wet cat and kitten food brands. It’s also surprisingly affordable. This also comes in a dry formula.
Allivet has all the best foods to keep your kitten healthy, happy, and energetic!