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The process of raising an outdoor cat and feisty indoor Maine Coon to be healthy adult cats taught me so much about the best kitten foods. However, there’s so much I wish I knew when I started this journey!
For the cats in my household, my pick for the top kitten food is Wellness Complete Health Wet Kitten Food.
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains DHA and taurine
- No grains and totally free of fillers
- Agreeable taste and texture
Your kitten’s needs might be different. That’s why I’m calling out the best cat food for kittens in a variety of categories. I’m also sharing my complete buying guide covering everything you need to know.
You will feel ready to make the right choice for your kitten when you’re done with this post!
These are the other products we review in this article:
Royal Canin Feline Health Kitten Canned Food
- Very soft and tender
- Good moisture content, palatable flavor
- Contains prebiotic fiber
Nulo Freestyle Dry Cat & Kitten Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contain, probiotics and prebiotic fibers
- No grains or fillers
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Kitten Dry Food
- High protein, no filler grains
- Abundant fiber and probiotic strains
- Good price for quality
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Healthy Kitten Recipe Dry Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Complete probiotic formula and natural prebiotics
- Contains DHA for brain & eye development
Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Wet Kitten Food
- High protein
- Easily digestible
- Highly palatable
Purina Pro Plan Wet Kitten Food Variety Pack
- Variety pack, flavorful and tempting for kittens
- Made from real protein
- Contains DHA for eye & brain development
- Best Wet Kitten Food
- Runner Up Wet Kitten Food
- Best Dry Kitten Food
- Runner Up Dry Food for Kittens
- Best Budget Kitten Food
- Best Cat Food for Kittens With Sensitive Stomachs
- Best Cat Food for Kittens With Diarrhea
- Great Healthy Kitten Food
- Best food for Maine Coon Kitten
- Best Food for Indoor Kittens
- My Guide to Choosing the Best Kitten Food
- Differences in Kitten Cat Food vs Adult Cat Food
- How to Read Kitten Food Labels
- How Much Do Kittens Eat in a Day?
- Transitioning to Adult Food
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Wet Kitten Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains DHA and taurine
- No grains and totally free of fillers
- Agreeable taste and texture
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth, carrots
- Guaranteed analysis: 11% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 197 kcal/can
- Life stage: Kitten
As a grain free cat food, this wet (paté) recipe offers a great way to establish healthy digestion while providing high-quality protein (poultry). In addition to skipping corn, wheat, soy, gluten, artificial colors, and preservatives, this formula sprinkles in healthy prebiotic fiber in the form of carrots, cranberries, and ground flax.
This food also checks the right boxes for healthy kitten development with fatty acids, folic acid, fish oils, and biotin. Kittens should not eat adult cat food, and those vitamins and minerals are all important for the development of coat, skin, eyes, heart, and immune system.
Based on reviews I’ve seen, kittens take to the taste easily. Personally, I’m impressed that such a clean formula is available from a mainstream brand that’s readily available.
While there are much pricier kitten foods that don’t even come close to the quality offered by this Wellness Complete Health product, I’ll admit that the price per can is a little on the high side.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- No grains
- Totally free of fillers
- Contains building blocks essential for growth
- Taste is agreeable
What We Don’t Like:
- Not a budget cat food
Runner Up Wet Kitten Food
- Very soft and tender
- Good moisture content, palatable flavor
- Contains prebiotic fiber
- First 5 ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, pork by-products, chicken, pork liver
- Guaranteed analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 3.2% Crude Fat, 1.7% Crude Fiber, 80% Moisture
- Caloric content: 78 kcal ME/can
- Life stage: Kitten
The thing holding me back from making this my top pick for the best wet kitten food is that the protein level is just a hair lower than I like to see. While the lower fat and calories are great for weight control with breeds that are prone to obesity, they could be too low for some super-active cats. I guess this might technically be my “diet” pick for best wet cat food.
This wet (loaf) also makes me hesitate just a bit because it uses water instead of animal-based protein (red meat) as its first ingredient. However, the water does make it an ultra-soft meal that’s perfect for even the littlest of baby teeth.
Overall, I like the decent fiber in this cat food combined with the high moisture content for helping to establish good digestion. I do see some good natural prebiotic fibers mixed into the ingredients that are also going to help that along. The extra moisture is also helpful during that stage when kittens aren’t yet in the habit of finding their way back to their water dishes regularly throughout the day.
If you’re trying to start off without grains, the wheat gluten and brewers rice flour in this formula disqualify it from the list.
What We Like:
- Very soft and tender
- Good moisture content
- Prebiotic fibers
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains grains and other filler
Best Dry Kitten Food
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Contain, probiotics and prebiotic fibers
- No grains or fillers
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, deboned cod, whole peas
- Guaranteed analysis: 40% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 486 kcal/cup
- Life stage: All life stages
The closest comparison I can make is that this dry (pellet) cat food is like one of the muscle protein bars for humans. It packs in impressive protein (poultry), fat, and fiber. While this isn’t “only” a kitten food, it’s considered appropriate for kittens. I personally think it could be a good choice if you have an active, energetic kitten who has a voracious appetite.
The BC30 probiotic in this food is one of the reasons why I recommend it. Giving a kitten probiotics early can set her up for a healthy gut for life! For you, that means potentially avoiding digestive illnesses and vet visits down the road. Pea fiber, cranberries, chicory root, dried kelp, and sweet potatoes serve as the natural prebiotic fibers that are actually going to feed those probiotics for even better results.
I also like the variety in this grain-free dry kitten food. The low carb mix of chicken, turkey, and cod provides well-rounded protein sources that are full of fatty acids essential for coat, brain, eye, and heart health.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Very high in quality protein
- Probiotics and prebiotic fibers
- No grains
- No fillers
- Price is good for the quality
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains starch (potato)
Runner Up Dry Food for Kittens
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Tons of protein
- Great moisture level
- Natural prebiotic fiber
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, rice flour, soybean meal
- Guaranteed analysis: 40% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 2.5% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 514 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Kitten
This dry (pellet) food offers robust animal-based protein (poultry) that’s balanced by a reasonable amount of fat, decent fiber level, and higher-than-average moisture level. I like seeing that extra moisture with these dry formulations because it can help with hydration, digestion, and metabolism.
Looking at the high caloric content on this one, I think it’s probably a better fit if you have a breed that’s known to grow large in adulthood.
My impression of the ultra-crunchy pellets is that they are going to be satisfying for your cat if she has pretty sturdy teeth. If your kitten struggles with chewing, the pellets might be challenging.
I’ll pepper in a few more things I really love about this formula before covering what makes me hesitate just a bit. First, the dried carrots, dried peas, and vegetable juice provide natural prebiotic fibers that support gut health and digestion. The omega-6 fatty acids in here are great for supporting healthy development and immunity.
The things I can do without in this formula are the corn gluten meal, rice flour, soybean meal, whole grain corn, soy protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate. While they all provide nutritional content, I generally categorize these ingredients as filler. However, this recipe using real chicken as the first ingredient is a very different story from cat and kitten foods that use those grains as their first ingredients.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Tons of protein
- Great moisture level
- Natural prebiotic fiber
What We Don’t Like:
- Generous amounts of grains and filler
Best Budget Kitten Food
- High protein, no filler grains
- Abundant fiber and probiotic strains
- Good price for quality
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal (source of omega 3 fatty acids), brown rice, barley
- Guaranteed analysis: 36% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 9% Moisture
- Caloric content: 439 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Kitten
This cheaper cat food would make the list for the best dry kitten food even if price was not a consideration. Why? Just look at the abundant protein (poultry) delivered in a satisfying form (pellet). Notably, this recipe contains DHA and ARA naturally found in mother’s milk.
While this recipe does help to fill kittens up with brown rice, it’s free of corn, wheat, soy, and other grain-based meals. That makes it a great pick if you’re open to grains as long as there’s no filler.
As someone who is obsessed with helping my cats have healthy digestive systems after dealing with hairballs and sensitive stomachs, I’m over the moon about the dried chicory root, dehydrated alfalfa, pea fiber, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, dried kelp, and yucca extract in this recipe. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many prebiotic fibers in one cat food before.
It actually gets even better for your cat’s digestion. This food delivers a powerful probiotic cocktail featuring Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, and Bacillus subtilis. This is almost like a separate probiotic supplement baked into the price of an affordable cat food.
I wasn’t surprised to see countless reviews saying how this food helped to improve digestion. Ready for some TMI? Several cat owners also shared that stinky poops stopped after starting this food!
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Tons of protein
- Abundant prebiotic fibers
- Several probiotic strains
- No filler grains
- Price is right
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains rice
Best Cat Food for Kittens With Sensitive Stomachs
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Complete probiotic formula and natural prebiotics
- Contains DHA for brain & eye development
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, dried potato, peas
- Guaranteed analysis: 41% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 2.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
- Caloric content: 387 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Kitten
This dry (pellet) food offers abundant protein (poultry) with plenty of moisture to support digestion. As a grain-free kitten food, this one already passes one of the hardest tests for me. I also like that chicken liver is included in addition to deboned chicken because organ meat is full of beneficial fats and essential oils that aid with development.
This food doesn’t disappoint when it comes to natural prebiotic fibers. Flaxseed, sweet potatoes, alfalfa, and cranberries are all in there. The big bonus is that this food also has a probiotic blend containing the strands Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
While I know that not everyone is a fan of starches and carbohydrates, I’ll give a pass to the potato in this recipe because it’s a nutritious way to bulk up the food while also adding fiber and nutrients. It’s also very gentle on the tummy.
While this is my pick for a sensitive stomach cat food, I think that one look at the price proves why this is also a budget pick! I’m shocked that a grain-free formula with an entire probiotic rainbow built in can be priced so low.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Complete probiotic formula
- Natural prebiotic fibers
- Lots of moisture
- Great price
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains potato/starch
Best Cat Food for Kittens With Diarrhea
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Great price
- Contains probiotics
- Prebiotic fiber
- Great moisture content
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, barley, oatmeal, dried yeast
- Guaranteed analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 456 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Kitten
This dry (kibble) food offers gentle-on-the-tummy protein (poultry) blended with barley and oatmeal. What I like is that it doesn’t just help your cat to enjoy pain-free digestion in the moment.
Using the probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans and natural prebiotic fiber from chicory root, this cat food for diarrhea helps to fortify your cat’s gut microbiome for long-term digestive health.
These bits are specially formulated to be soft enough for tiny kitten teeth! Each bit is also formulated to mimic the nutrients found in mother’s milk. The ultra-high moisture content for a dry food is great for helping along the digestive process.
For those of you who are looking for a starch-free, low-carb, or grain-free kitten food for a sensitive stomach, I’ll point out that this food has both barley and potato. However, it’s totally free of corn, soy, and wheat. I’m forgiving the use of grains here because they add nutritional value while helping to balance the high protein content that can sometimes be harsh on tummies. The same goes for the lovely pea protein in this blend.
I saw many reviews about “fussy eaters” taking to this food quickly. I also saw some tips to mix this food with the food you’re currently using at first to make your kitten more receptive.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Great price
- Contains probiotics
- Prebiotic fiber
- Great moisture content
What We Don’t Like:
- Barley and potato add carbs
Great Healthy Kitten Food
- High protein
- Easily digestible
- Highly palatable
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, carrots, wheat gluten
- Guaranteed analysis: 6.5% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 85% Moisture
- Caloric content: 71 kcal/2.8 oz can
- Life stage: Kitten
If you feel like you need to restrict calories or fat for your kitten due to existing or anticipated weight issues, this blend featuring low protein (poultry) in a satisfying wet form (paté) is good to know about. First, 85% moisture is great for both weight control and digestive health.
The carrots and spinach in this food provide much-needed probiotic fiber. I also see fish oil in there to deliver those essential fatty acids for growth and development. While this formula is pretty clean, the wheat gluten and rice starch might turn some people off when focusing on grain-free eating.
I will warn that the protein, fat, and calories in this may simply be too low for your “average” kitten. I actually suggest talking to your vet about this low-calorie kitten food before taking the plunge just to make sure you’re taking everything into account.
I got two takeaways after researching comments and customer experiences for this food. First, it has a hit-or-miss flavor that cats either reject or devour. Second, several people who are fans of this food wish they were getting bigger portions for the price.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Low in fat and calories
- Tons of moisture
- Prebiotic fiber
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains wheat gluten and rice starch
- A little pricey for the content
Best food for Maine Coon Kitten
- Real turkey is the first ingredient
- Rich in protein from turkey, chicken, and herring
- No grains
- No fillers
- Tons of natural prebiotic fibers
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, chicken liver, turkey broth, chicken, chicken meal
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 7.5% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 108 kcal/can
- Life stage: Kitten
This wet cat food for Maine Coons offers pure protein (poultry) in all of its five first ingredients.
While it doesn’t make the top five, herring is actually just behind all of the chicken and turkey on the ingredient list. I love seeing such variety when it comes to protein and essential fats from real animal sources.
I’m also awarding extra points because this is a grain-free kitten food. I love seeing all of those natural prebiotic fibers in the forms of kelp, cranberry, chicory root, yucca, alfalfa, and flax. As a Maine Coon owner who has helped my girl through some big digestive issues in the past, I know how valuable these fibers are for naturally healing and fortifying the gut.
This food gets dinged a bit for being lower in fiber and moisture that I like to see. Due to the weight issues that sometimes plague Main Coon cats, I wish both could be just a tad higher.
This food also touches on the “elite” price range. While keeping the perspective that a formulation that’s totally free of wheat gluten, corn, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives puts this food almost on the level of being a prescription-quality cat food, I think that being honest about how much you really want to budget for kitten food is important.
What We Like:
- Real turkey is the first ingredient
- Rich in protein from turkey, chicken, and herring
- No grains
- No fillers
- Tons of natural prebiotic fibers
What We Don’t Like:
- Price could be restrictive
Best Food for Indoor Kittens
- Variety pack, flavorful and tempting for kittens
- Made from real protein
- Contains DHA for eye & brain development
(Chicken and Liver)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, liver, fish, meat by-products, water
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 76.5% Moisture
- Caloric content: 99 kcal/can
- Life stage: Kitten
(Ocean Whitefish & Tuna)
- First 5 ingredients: Water, ocean whitefish, fish, liver, wheat gluten
- Guaranteed analysis: 13% Crude Protein, 4.5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 76.5% Moisture
- Caloric content: 113 kcal/can
- Life stage: Kitten
(Salmon & Ocean Fish)
- First 5 ingredients: Salmon, ocean fish, liver, meat by-products, water
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 76% Moisture
- Caloric content: 99 kcal/can
- Life stage: Kitten
This low-calorie wet (loaf) variety pack offers protein (poultry and fish) in various forms to provide delectable, satiating flavors for even the pickiest of cats. While I like the nutritional balance of fat, protein, and calories here, I’m disappointed that one of the flavors lists water as the first ingredient instead of an animal-based protein.
Luckily, it’s forgivable because the other two varieties list chicken and salmon as their primary ingredients.
Seeing fish oils, organ meats, and tons of essential vitamins and minerals makes me confident that a kitten can enjoy healthy growth and development on this variety pack. However, I’m not crazy about seeing wheat gluten tucked into the ingredient list.
So many reviewers share that their kittens dart to the bowl for this food. Others credit this food with helping their kittens to grow up beautifully.
Like all variety packs, this one comes with the risk that your cat will reject a portion of the batch if she’s a strong chicken or fish fan. I can’t really comment too much on the price because it’s what I consider middling in terms of the whole list of the best kitten food.
What We Like:
- Two of the flavors use fish or chicken as the first ingredient
- Reasonable fat and calories
- Flavorful and tempting for kittens
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains by-products
My Guide to Choosing the Best Kitten Food
What is the best kitten food to help your household’s newest addition thrive? While there’s no single right answer for every kitten, there is a single path for choosing quality.
Let’s run through everything that goes into picking the best food for kittens.
High Protein
In the best kitten food brands, a real, high-quality animal protein should be the first ingredient. While I’m happy to provide bargain kitten food options in my reviews, I never promote “filler” foods. The reason why is that you’re actually getting ripped off by cheaper foods that don’t contain the protein your cat needs to thrive.
These foods rip you off for a few reasons:
- You’ll spend more because your cat will eat through them faster
- Your cat’s health will suffer
- You’re paying for grains and artificial flavors instead of actual nutrition
Species Specific Ratio of Fat and Carbs
In addition to focusing on a quality animal protein, the best brands of kitten foods have correct ratios of fat and carbs.
“An ideal diet for a cat would be five-to-six mice per day — for your information, mice are high in protein (48 percent), low in carbohydrates (5 percent) and approximately 48 kcal per mouse,” according to the vets at Animal Medical Center of Chicago.
While this needs to be scaled down for kittens, I think it’s a great representation of what cats actually need compared to the ideas that many of us have about what cats need. If you haven’t seen me mention it before in previous product guides or blogs, cats are obligate carnivores.
“The bottom line is that because cats are obligate carnivores, their gastrointestinal tracts and metabolism have adapted to eating meat,” shares the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
What Does a Good Nutrient Ratio for Kittens Look Like?
“A dry kitten food should have about 35 percent protein and 12 to 24 percent fat content; canned food will appear to have less because it is diluted with water,” according to Vetstreet.
Keeping carbs low is recommended because kittens don’t actually need carbohydrates. As obligate carnivores, cats in the wild only get minimal carbohydrates from berries and grains contained in the stomachs of their prey. In fact, a cat’s natural and ideal diet is called a whole-prey diet for this reason.
Other Essentials
Yes, a good protein source is nearly all that a kitten needs. The reason why is that everything else will follow naturally when a cat is being fed from a high-quality animal source.
Omega fatty acids stand out for being very important for the health and development of a cat’s brain, eyes, heart, digestive system, and immune system. An omega-3 fatty acid called DHA that’s found naturally in fish is especially important. Taurine is another big one.
As an essential amino acid, taurine is critical for vision, digestion, and heart muscle function in cats.
“If taurine levels are deficient, the retinal cells of the eyes will eventually degenerate, impairing the vision,” according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Other vitamins and minerals needed by kittens include:
| Vitamin A | Vitamin K | Riboflavin | Pyridoxine |
| Vitamin D | Vitamin B12 | Pantothenic Acid | Folic acid |
| Vitamin E | Thiamin | Niacin | Biotin |
Low Filler and Nothing Artificial
Of course, you want to make sure that the food you’re picking isn’t a filler fest. Some cheaper brands will bulk up kitten food with grains, artificial flavor, coloring, starches, and preservatives. The irony of these foods is that they basically overfeed your cat while starving her of proper nutrition at the same time.
Kitten Formula
Next, you need to make sure that you’re actually picking a kitten formulation. Developing kitten bodies need their own ratios and proportions of essentials. Giving a kitten portions of protein, fat, calories, and essential minerals that are intended for bigger bodies can actually harm them or make them sick.
I’ll be going into detail about how these ratios look different from adult cat food.
Wet or Dry Kitten Food?
Next, I just want to touch on the decision to choose either wet or dry cat food for your kitten.
Dry Food Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy for kittens to eat
- Enticing for kittens
- High moisture content
- High fiber content
- More nutrition is retained due to lack of processing
Cons:
- More expensive
- Harder to store
- Messier
- Smellier
- Spoils if left out
Dry Food Pros and Cons
Pros:
- More affordable
- Easy to store
- Can be left out
Cons:
- Can have more filler
- Tough for kitten teeth
- Less moisture
- Less fiber
While I like to stay neutral when it comes to telling people which option to choose, I will sway my support toward wet food in cases where your kitten doesn’t seem to drink much. The moisture content in wet food can make a big difference.
There’s also the option to simply add wet food as a topper over dry food. This best-of-both worlds option can give your kitten more nutrition without a huge price tag.
Differences in Kitten Cat Food vs Adult Cat Food
Is the idea of kitten food just a marketing concept? While it’s tempting to think that you can just divide regular cat food in smaller portions, the truth is that ordinary cat food doesn’t provide the right nutritional balance for kittens.
Here’s what makes kitten food special:
- Higher calories to promote nutrition during a cat’s biggest growth periods
- Higher fat to keep up with the energy levels of bouncing kittens
- DHA and calcium for bones
- Smaller kibble sizes for easier eating
Again, the ratios on these foods are just right for kitten growth and development. I’ve also seen plenty of real-life horror stories where cat owners ended up making perfectly healthy kittens sick by giving them either too much or too little of essential nutrients because they didn’t switch to kitten food.
If you have adult cats in your home, make sure you’re putting their food dishes in a different area of the home. You should also monitor feedings until your kitten has transitioned to adult food.
This is important because you won’t know how much your kitten is actually eating if older cats are swooping in to finish her plate. Your older cats might also gain weight if they are dipping into the kitten food. Of course, your kitten can also suffer health issues from eating adult food that isn’t meant for her.
How to Read Kitten Food Labels
If you read through my reviews of the cat food for kittens above, you already saw the proper way to evaluate the best kitten wet food and dry food using ingredients.
Ingredient Order
First, the ingredient order on the label tells you 99% of what you need to know about cat food. Look for that real animal protein source as the first ingredient every time.
Guaranteed Analysis
Next, scan down to the guaranteed analysis. This is where I covered protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. You’re looking for a good protein-to-fat ratio that makes food nourishing while also being “lean.” High moisture content is something that is always a plus with kitten food because it’s useful for digestion and weight management.
Calculating Dry Matter Basis from Guaranteed Analysis
Dry matter basis refers to the percentages of nutrients in a cat food when the moisture content is 0%. We’re essentially taking moisture out of the equation to do apples-to-apples comparisons between products with different moisture levels.
You can convert guaranteed analysis wet food ratios to dry matter basis by subtracting the moisture percentage from the equation to compare just the protein, fat, and fiber to find the “real” best food for kittens. This is the formula:
1. Subtract moisture content percentage from 100%
2. Divide a nutrient’s (protein, fat, or fiber) as-fed basis percentage by the difference you got from the previous step
3. Multiply that figure by 100% to obtain the dry matter percentage of that nutrient
4. Repeat the step for every nutrient
This can get a little bit complicated. That’s why I’m sharing this easy calculator tool to help you complete the equation by plugging in the numbers from any food’s guaranteed analysis.
AAFCO
I always recommend only purchasing cat foods that are endorsed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFC). The reason why is that this organization verifies the quality and content of pet foods. That means that you don’t have to worry about a food being dangerous or toxic if it’s made the list.
In a world full of mysterious online retailers, having AAFC approval can give you peace of mind.
Complete and Balanced
I also suggest that you strive for a formula that’s complete and balanced.
“If this statement includes the phrase “complete and balanced,” then the product is intended to be fed as a pet’s sole diet and should be nutritionally balanced,” according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Note that some snacks and toppers may look like actual full-course meals. In reality, they are only designed to add extra calories, protein, fat, or fiber to a cat’s diet. Generally, toppers and treats aren’t needed if your cat is already eating a nutritionally complete cat food.
How Much Do Kittens Eat in a Day?
You’re probably wondering how much to actually feed a kitten in a day. Pumpkin Pet Insurance provides a nifty chart for how much to give:
| 6 weeks (2/3 to 1-1/3 lbs) | 1/4 to 1/3 cup |
| 7 weeks to 5 months (1-1/2 to 5-¾ lbs) | 1/3 to 1 cup |
| 6 months to 1 year (5-3/4 to 12 lbs) | 2/3 to 1-¼ cups |
How Many Times a Day Should You Feed a Kitten?
Kittens should eat between three to six times per day. Unlike full-grown cats who thrive on two full portions per day, kittens do better in terms of both energy and digestion when breaking up their meals into smaller portions throughout the day.
While these meals may seem scattered during the kitten months, it’s still important to try to get your cat on a schedule. Regular feedings help to ensure that your cat is steadily getting the nutrition she needs. A kitten who doesn’t eat for a day is at risk of malnutrition.
From my research, various vets suggest feeding kittens between 380 and 500 calories a day as they grow toward adulthood. Ask your vet about your cat’s specific caloric needs when you bring her in for her first checkup!
Transitioning to Adult Food
When should your cat transition to adult cat food? As any seasoned cat owner knows, 12 months is the magic milestone!
You can talk to your vet about making the move closer to 10 months if your cat is very large for her age. You may find that kitten food just doesn’t satiate a larger cat.
There’s no need to be abrupt when making the switch from kitten food to cat food. Start by slowly mixing the new cat food into your cat’s current kitten food. I recommend choosing a formula that is similar in flavor and texture. Over the course of several days, try to go from 25% new food to 100% new food.
Monitor your cat for any changes in digestive health or energy levels during the transition. If she is behaving oddly, there may be an ingredient in the new adult food that doesn’t agree with her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cat food for kittens?
- Wellness Complete Health Wet Kitten Food
- Royal Canin Feline Health Kitten Canned Cat Food
- Nulo Freestyle Dry Cat & Kitten Food
- Purina ONE +Plus Dry Kitten Food Healthy Kitten Formula
- Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Kitten Dry Cat Food
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Healthy Kitten Recipe Dry Food
- Purina Beyond Natural Dry Kitten Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Wet Kitten Food
- Wellness CORE Grain-Free Wet Kitten Food
- Purina Pro Plan Wet Kitten Food Variety Pack
What is the best brand for kitten food?
Any kitten food brand that lists a real animal protein as the first ingredient is probably going to be a good pick. Additionally, you want the food to either be low in grains or free of grains. Kitten food should also be free of fillers, dyes, and artificial flavors.
My personal pick for the best kitten food is the Wellness Complete Health chicken variety. Check out the reviews above for the best pick in every category.
Should kittens eat wet or dry food?
The best kitten food can be found in both varieties. Base your decision on what you can afford. If a dry food offers better nutrition than a wet food in the same category, feel free to go for that.
I personally like the moisture content, freshness, and lack of processing in wet food for my own cat. That extra moisture can be important for hydration, digestion, and weight management.
Do kittens need special cat food?
Yes! As I cover above in detail, kitten food has its own unique formulation that’s proportional to the needs of growing cats.
Trying to give your cat smaller portions of adult cat food can inhibit physical and cognitive growth. It can also set her up for obesity, illness, and malnutrition.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
