If you’re a new pet owner looking for the best food for kitten, you’re in the right place. Kittens have specific dietary needs that differ from adult cats, so it’s essential to choose the right food to help them grow into healthy felines. Although there is no one-size-fits-all answer, several factors can help you determine the ideal kitten food for your furry friend. Allergies, health concerns, price, and your kitten’s preferences should all be considered.
When it comes to feeding kittens, traditional adult cat food options won’t cut it. Kittens require more protein and fat to develop their organs and tissues as they grow. They also need less carbohydrate in their diet. To ensure your kitten is getting the right nutrition, you’ll need to choose the best food recipes for them. This is where our buying guide comes in handy.
Our buying guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need to select the best food for kitten. We’ve researched the market to find some of the most popular and nutritious kitten foods available. With our help, you can be confident that your kitten is getting the nutrients they need to grow into a healthy and happy feline.
Best 10 Kitten Food Options
1. Wellness Complete Health Pate Natural Canned
Are you searching for the best food for kitten? Look no further than the highly rated Wellness brand kitten food. This pleasing pate is not only delicious, but it’s also easy for kittens to eat and comes in a tasty chicken flavor. Packed with high levels of protein, this wet food will help your kitten grow big and strong. Plus, it contains flaxseed, which is an excellent source of fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat. Taurine, a crucial ingredient for heart and eye development, is also included in this formula.
Wellness takes pride in producing natural cat food, and this kitten formula is no exception. Free from artificial ingredients, it provides high levels of protein and fat to help your kitten develop healthy muscles, organs, and bones. With the inclusion of carrots and cranberries, this formula also contains antioxidants, Vitamin C, and tannins that support urinary health by preventing harmful bacteria from thriving in the urinary tract. The only downside is its carbohydrate content, which provides plenty of energy for your kitten’s playful and curious nature during the early months.
If you prefer a natural formula for your kitten’s food, we highly recommend this brilliant kitten food from Wellness brand. It’s a delicious and nutritious option that will keep your kitten healthy and happy.
2. Instinct Grain Free Kitten Food, Original Recipe Natural
Looking for the best food for your kitten? Look no further than the Instinct (Grain Free, Original, Natural) dry or wet cat food, ranked second on the list of the best kitten food options. This kitten food is primarily made from wholesome animal ingredients and is rich in amino acids that support your kitten’s healthy growth. With natural DHA, this wet food is perfect for your kitten’s eye and brain development. The top ingredient in this kitten food is salmon, which is an excellent source of both protein and DHA. Additionally, this formula contains a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as pumpkin, blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, parsley, and artichokes, along with plenty of essential vitamins.
This wet food recipe is grain-free and made with real cage-free chicken, fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome ingredients. With responsibly sourced cage-free chicken as its top ingredient, this high-protein kitten food provides all the necessary nutrients to help your cat grow strong muscles and organs while giving them the energy they need. This variety of ingredients can help reduce the chances of your kitten developing food sensitivities in the future.
Whether you use it as a whole meal or as a meal topper for their regular food, this pate texture will provide your cat with the extra protein they need along with a great taste. Made in the USA with ingredients sourced from around the world, the Nature’s Variety brand prides itself on producing excellent raw food that has endeared itself to cat owners worldwide. Try this kitten food today and give your furry friend the best start in life.
3. Best Kitten Food By Purina Fancy Feast Pate Wet
Are you looking for the best kitten food that doesn’t cost too much? Look no further than Purina Fancy Feast’s kitten food line. Despite its affordability, this wet cat food is made with real animal ingredients, has a reputation for being highly palatable, and minimizes carbohydrates. The multi-pack features four different flavors – Ocean Whitefish, Turkey, Chicken, and Salmon – all with a touch of real milk. Plus, these high-protein recipes provide all the nutrition your kitten needs to support their growing muscles.
Each recipe features real poultry or seafood as the primary ingredient, as well as liver, broth, and real milk for added flavor and nutrition. The formula is gluten-free, with no artificial colors or flavors, and contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It’s also moisture-rich to ensure your kitten gets enough water in their diet. To provide your kitten with a well-balanced diet, it’s recommended to combine both dry and wet food formulas. These pull-tab cans are easy to open and store, and the soft pate texture is perfect for small mouths. With all the necessary vitamins and minerals, including taurine, omegas, antioxidants, and folic acid, you can feel confident that you’re giving your kitten the wholesome nutrition they need to thrive.
4. NUTRO Soft Loaf Kitten Wet Cat Food, Chicken
If you’re looking for the best food for kitten, look no further than Nutro. This brand offers both wet and dry natural recipes that are packed with high-quality proteins and essential nutrients, making them a great choice for your kitten’s overall well-being. Nutro’s Soft Loaf Chicken formula is 100% grain-free, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making it an excellent choice for your kitten’s sensitive stomach.
Nutro’s wet kitten food is made with real chicken as the #1 ingredient, along with pork broth and fish oil, which provides your kitten with high-quality proteins for healthy bones and lean muscles. The food also contains essential nutrients like taurine, which is crucial for your kitten’s vision and heart health development. The food is formulated with vitamins and minerals that give your kitten the energy and nutrients she needs to thrive.
The macronutrient profile of Nutro’s kitten food is almost perfect, with no fillers or carbs, and it contains real chicken liver, which is packed full of minerals and vitamins not found in muscle meats. Nutro is one of the very few kitten foods that scored a perfect rating in our system, making it a top choice for any kitten owner. Plus, it’s a great transitional food as Nutro offers similarly amazing adult cat foods. So, give your kitten the best start in life by choosing Nutro kitten food.
5. Wellness CORE Pate Wet Food For Kitten
The best food for your kitten? Look no further than Wellness CORE Pate Wet, a high-protein wet cat food that tops the list of best kitten food brands. Made with natural ingredients only, this protein-rich formula guarantees balanced nutrition for our felines, and is free from artificial elements like carrageenan. The manufacturer promises all of its products to be of premium quality, ensuring your kitten gets the vitamins and minerals they need, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and DHA to boost eye and brain development. This moisture-rich formula promotes urinary health and contains taurine to support your kitty’s healthy growth. Plus, it even contains cranberries to prevent urinary problems and fish oil for healthy skin and shiny fur.
This food is packed with animal ingredients, including real turkey, chicken, and herring, making it satisfying even for the pickiest cats and helping to diversify their diet. And with no fillers, it is one of the best gifts you can give your kitty, providing the essential macronutrients for their growth and development. Despite criticism from some who write off chicken meal as inferior to “real chicken” or poultry by-products, it is just as nutritious and digestible as any other chicken product, packing a hard protein and calorie punch that growing kittens need.
Feeding recommendations depend on your kitten’s age and weight, so be sure to check the information on the can for more details. Generally, kittens should be fed 3-4 times a day until they’re full, with juvenile kittens eating twice or even thrice as much as adult cats. Don’t forget to refrigerate unused portions of the food to ensure it stays fresh and nutritious for your furry friend. With Wellness CORE Pate Wet, you can feel confident that you’re providing your kitten with the best possible nutrition to help them grow and thrive.
6. Best Kitten Food By Hill’s Science Diet Dry Food
Hill’s Science Diet brand has introduced a new and improved recipe that is specifically designed for kittens and pregnant or nursing cats, making it an excellent choice for those looking for the best food for kittens. This veterinarian-recommended formula contains all the necessary elements to support the health and overall well-being of growing felines. The recipe is free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and its primary ingredient is real chicken meat.
This indoor cat formula is easily digestible and full of vitamins and antioxidants that promote healthy growth. It contains high-quality protein for building muscles, balanced minerals for strong bones and healthy teeth, and DHA from fish oil to support eye and brain development. The ingredients are natural, US-made, and functional to support kitten growth, including taurine, vitamins C, E, D, and B12, and fiber. Many reviewers have hailed this formula as the best dry kitten food. The small kibble size is perfect for kittens to eat and digest. Feeding recommendations from the manufacturer vary based on a kitten’s weight, from ¼ cup for a 1 kg kitten to 1 ⅛ cup for a 7 kg pregnant cat.
7. Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Natural Kitten Pate Wet Food
Looking for the best food for kitten that is both natural and tasty? Check out Blue Buffalo’s canned pate featuring real chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth. This kitten food is rich in high-quality protein that helps support healthy muscle development, while DHA from fish oil promotes cognitive development. The recipe also includes eggs, brown rice, carrots, and sweet potatoes, providing your feline with the carbs they need. Antioxidant-rich cranberries and a blend of essential vitamins and minerals round out this well-balanced diet.
Although this kitten food may contain brown rice, carrots, carrageenan, and sweet potatoes, which can be problematic for some cats, it still earns a spot on the list of the best food for kitten. Blue Buffalo’s recipe is packed with natural and tasty ingredients that are sure to keep your kitten happy and healthy. So why not try it out and see how your furry friend likes it?
8. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Soft Food For Kitten
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Canned Cat Food is a great choice for the best food for kitten, with its optimal protein and fat ratio to meet the energy and nutritional needs of young felines. This formula contains a mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to help your growing kitten develop, along with antioxidants and essential vitamins.
With highly digestible proteins, fiber, and prebiotics, this canned cat food is gentle on your kitten’s tummy and is easy to digest. Additionally, Taurine and fish oils in the formula help to support your kitten’s immune system and overall development, while fiber and prebiotics help to keep your kitten’s digestion and urinary system healthy. The manufacturer also recommends using this recipe to complement their dry food for kitten options.
The ultra-soft mousse in sauce from Royal Canin is designed for growing baby kittens and pregnant or nursing cats, making it one of the best kitten food options available. This moisture-rich formula is formulated with pork and chicken by-products, natural pork and chicken livers, real chicken, and natural flavors. It also features a soft loaf texture that is easy for kittens up to 12 months to swallow and digest. Although this formula contains wheat gluten and carrageenan, it is still a great option for kittens due to its high moisture content and nutritious ingredients.
9. Best Kitten Food From Iams Proactive Health Dry Food Chicken Recipe
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for your kitten, IAMS has you covered. This trusted cat food manufacturer has researched and developed the best kitten food that won’t break the bank. In fact, they’re so confident that your kitten will thrive on their formula that they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. IAMS’ quality control checks exceed both FDA and USDA standards, so you can trust that you’re getting a high-quality product.
The primary ingredient in this dry kitten food is chicken, which provides the protein your kitten needs to build strong muscles. There are no added fillers, just the essential amino acids all meat-eating animals require. The inclusion of Vitamin E also helps boost your kitten’s immune system. IAMS offers pre-portioned pate for kittens as well, which is packed with the same essential amino acids. While the variety is limited, if you’re looking for a reputable and affordable pet food brand, IAMS is an excellent choice for the best food for kitten.
10. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo’s kibble is one of the best foods for kittens, with deboned chicken and sweet potatoes as the main ingredients. As a brand known for producing high-quality cat food, Blue Buffalo’s grain-free formula for young felines provides a healthy and tasty meal with real chicken as the #1 ingredient. It is free of artificial colors and flavors and does not contain any grains, wheat, gluten, or by-products. This recipe also includes fish as a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits, which is a blend of vitamins and minerals to support a kitten’s immune system.
This kitten food from Blue Buffalo supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption through its prebiotic fibers and probiotics. The balance of protein and fats helps kittens maintain an ideal weight, and taurine, which is essential for a cat’s health, supports their heart and vision. The manufacturer recommends feeding kittens three or four times a day since they require twice as much food as adult cats. As all dry food lacks moisture, it’s essential to provide kittens with a dish of cool, clean water to keep them hydrated.
Buyer’s Guide
The best kitten food will have:
- More calories, protein, and fat
- Omega fatty acid DHA, necessary for brain and vision development
- Vitamin E and Selenium for the immune system
- Calcium for bone growth
A balanced diet of food for your kitten that includes all of these nutrients will go a long way towards making sure that your frisky kitten matures into a healthy and happy cat.
The wet foods we suggest here are much better than the dry cat food options.
There are decent options for kibble, but if possible, choose a moist food for your kitty.
Choosing Wet, Dry, or Fresh Food
Unlike dogs, which prefer both wet and dry foods, cats mostly prefer wet food. According to Dr. Fox, it helps keep them hydrated, since cats are prone to developing kidney issues.
You can offer a rotation of wet and dry food, but make sure you introduce anything new gradually to cat’s diet.
As for fresh food, Dr. Fox says it’s a huge no-no. Cats need very specific ingredients that support their healthy growth, and that’s not easily found in table food or food directly from the refrigerator. Unlike dog food subscription services, there are hardly any AAFCO-approved cat food subscriptions, so Dr. Fox recommends you stick with commercially available brands that are specifically vetted for cats.
Types of Kitten Food:
Best Wet Food For Kittens
A kitten needs wet food to get enough moisture and keep its organism hydrated. More than that, canned kitten food is more comfortable for young felines to digest. So, when organizing nutrition for kittens, please combine dry and wet kitten food for better balance. The best wet kitten food to try, besides those mentioned in this guide above, are Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Natural Kitten Pate and Purina Pro Plan Kitten Canned Wet Cat Food.
Dry Food For Kittens
Dry kitten food is a must-have in kittens’ diet because it provides felines with the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbs that are so essential for growth and health. Please choose recipes with no less than 35% of proteins and no less than 18% of fats in the formula. Also, make sure it’s high in calories and contains animal protein content.
The best kitten food on budget-friendly
As a responsible pet owner who loves your kitten, you don’t want to feed it with cheap food containing controversial, artificial ingredients, do you? Some vets even consider it more money-saving to buy premium food for kittens because it’s 90%-digested, by contrast with 50%-digested cheap options. Anyway, there’s always a balance between expensive and low-cost options, and you can find the best reasonably priced food options for your kittens. Consider kitten food brands such as Nutro, Purina, and Royal Canin.
Good food for a kitten’s sensitive stomach
Cat owners choose an best kitten food for a sensitive stomach to prevent or at least minimize the development of health issues with digestion. All grain-free formulas from kitten food brands are OK to feed here. But for those looking for the particular options, feel free to try Royal Canin Instinctive Kitten Food and Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care options.
Together with a sensitivity diet, consider giving probiotics to your kitten to help its stomach work better.
Features to consider when choosing the best food for your kitten
We already know that kittens should eat the food designed for them individually. But this mere factor isn’t enough to know when choosing the best kitten food. Here go the features we need to consider:
- Ingredients: Check a label to ensure that the food contains high-quality natural ingredients. There should be real meat as the primary component, no controversial by-products, and no artificial preservatives in the formula.
- Nutrients: The best kitten food will contain all the essential nutrients a growing cat needs for healthy life. There should be 35% of proteins and 20% of fats minimum to satisfy a kitten’s needs and support its development. Fatty acids, taurine, vitamins, and minerals are must-have too.
- AAFCO: Choose kitten food that meets the guidelines from AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
- Flavor and texture: You may need to experiment with several best foods for kittens to find the flavor your feline will love. Consider chicken, turkey, or seafood flavors, and try different textures (pates, flaked, gravies, minced) for your kitten to choose a brand it loves.
- Type: While most pet owners prefer feeding with dry kitten food, please consider mixing both dry and wet food options. Not only is canned food easier for kittens to chew and digest, but it also provides them with moisture they won’t find in the dry food.
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Food you should never feed your kitten
While there are foods that you really need to feed your kitten to ensure they are growing healthily, there are, of course, foods that you should never feed your kitten.
CHOCOLATE
You may already know that chocolate is harmful for dogs. It is also harmful to kittens and cats, too. This is because it contains theobromine and caffeine, which increase heart rate and can then lead to heart failure. It can also cause muscle twitching and tremors. The darker and stronger the chocolate is, the more dangerous it is.
CAFFEINE
We have just mentioned above that caffeine in chocolate can be very dangerous. Other caffeinated products can also be dangerous to kittens. This is because it can cause fast breathing, heart palpitations and tremors.
RAW MEAT, EGGS AND FAT TRIMMINGS
Raw meat and eggs should be stayed away from because of the risk of salmonella and E. coli in these raw products. Fat trimmings can lead to acute pancreatitis.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Milk and dairy products are generally fine to give to your kitten. An issue may arise though if your cat is lactose intolerant, because this can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, you should always proceed with caution when feeding dairy products to your kitten for the first time.
ALCOHOL
This is a fairly obvious one, but you should never feed your kitten alcohol. It can cause brain damage and severe liver problems in felines.
GARLIC AND ONIONS
The effect garlic and onions may have on your cat is related to the amount they consume. Some research shows that garlic and onions can lead to anemia, which limits the amount of oxygen that is passed around the body.
CONCLUSION
As a new kitten owner, you are responsible for ensuring your furry friend is healthy and happy. Choosing the right food is crucial for your kitten’s development, as they require plenty of energy to grow and build muscles, organs, and tissues. Opt for high-quality, protein-based foods that provide the right balance of amino acids for your kitten. Avoid vague ingredients and go for natural, wholesome options whenever possible, whether you choose wet or dry food. Providing your kitten with the best food possible is one of the most important things you can do for their health and well-being.
As your kitten grows and develops, you will need to transition them to adult food after their first year. In the meantime, Top Kitty Care has compiled a list of the 10 best kitten foods based on expert advice, so you can choose the best wet and dry foods for your furry friend with confidence. With a variety of options available, you can rest assured that your kitten will get the nutrients they need to thrive.
