Cats and kittens can be born with sensitivities and allergies to certain ingredients too. So always talk to your veterinarian when digestive issues arise. They may recommend a limited ingredient diet (LID) or a prescription hypoallergenic or gastrointestinal recipe. There are, however, a baffling variety of foods out there for kittens which can make it hard to know what to choose. Should you be feeding a kitten wet or dry food? Are some brands better than others? And how do you know when it’s time to give your kitten food instead of milk? Our main reviewer volunteers for a cat rescue charity, meaning that at certain times of year there are litters of kittens available to test kitten food. We gave each brand of food to a selection of kittens who had been weaned from their mother and were ready to try solid food. Discover PRO PLAN LIVECLEAR - the 1st cat-allergen reducing food offering cat owners a safe, effective and feline-friendly approach to reducing their explosure to allergens - whilst keeping cats in their homes and on their laps. Kitten food won’t do much harm to your older cat, however, it is worth noting that it is much higher in calories than that of adult cat food. Kitten food also contains much more nutrients and proteins which are all added to the food for optimal growth and development. Is kitten food different from cat food?

Kornreich adds that reputable pet food companies may own their manufacturing plant. "They'll have a tighter ability to control quality," he says. They'll employ a board-certified nutritionist, have an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy on their products, and their marketing doesn't disparage other companies. Senior: once your cat reaches 7 years it is going to have different nutritional needs, so Purina Pro Plan senior cat food is ideal for supporting ageing cats in their day-to-day life, with wholesome, tailored nutrition, as well as specific options for older cats that have other health needs. There will be a difference in what your kitten wants to eat and what they don't want to eat," says Zoran. While a steady rotation of tastes, textures, and brands will keep your kitten food-flexible, they might prefer one texture of food over another. "It's a trial-and-error process," she adds.Purina is a highly reputable cat food brand, producing a huge range of wet and dry foods for both cats and kittens. This is another high-quality product that’s very digestible and is full of prebiotics and antioxidants to help support and develop a healthy immune system.

There isn’t as much real meat in this food as in some other products on this list, and it isn’t grain free, which can be a problem for some kittens. But it is excellent value for money and will last a decent amount of time. Take byproducts and byproduct meals as an example. They're secondary ingredients from the human food industry that meet the nutritional requirements set by the AAFCO. Byproducts and artificial preservatives are paired with negative marketing buzz, but they're not inherently unhealthy for your cat or kitten, Kornreich says. All our recommended kitten foods have a high protein content, but the Purina ONE kitten food has a whopping 41%. Protein is essential for kittens to build muscle, so a high protein content is essential in kitten food.As kittens need plenty of protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins for healthy development, we also consider the nutritional content of each food we test. Every recommendation on this list will provide your kitten with what it needs for healthy development whether it’s dry kibble or wet pouches. Put bowls on a tray or some disposable paper towels. There will be a lot of mess, so you want to make it as easy as possible to contain said mess! Don’t overload the bowl with too much food at once, as it may overwhelm a kitten and put them off eating. Kittens and cats are obligate carnivores because they rely on animal-based proteins to provide essential nutrients, including amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that animals cannot synthesize, so they must obtain them through their diets. Taurine is one of 11 essential amino acids felines must get from their diet, and their only source of taurine is animal-based proteins. "If cats don't eat enough meat, they won't get enough taurine," says Kornreich. Along with other essential vitamins and minerals, taurine promotes normal heart function, vision, immune function, and digestion in cats. Unless your cat has accidentally had kittens (Blue Cross recommends that cats are neutered at around four months old to prevent unwanted kittens), your kitten should have already been weaned when it arrives at your house. It is advised that a kitten shouldn’t be rehomed until they are at least nine weeks old. But, for information, a kitten should be nursing from mum or bottle-fed until they are around five weeks old. At this age, a kitten’s premolars have started to appear, and they’re ready to try them out. Kittens often struggle to eat solids at first, so start by offering small bites of wet food on a finger or spoon if you have a kitten to wean. Kittens also need to be transitioned onto solids – they must nurse from their mother or have formula until they’re confident eating on their own, gaining weight and eating high-quality food.

Kittens are full of energy and play, accompanied by epic snoozing sessions! The best kitten food will contain the correct nutrients, minerals and vitamins, ensuring that your pets grow up healthy and strong. At this critical stage, you should give your kittens food made from quality ingredients to aid their development and growth. Good quality kitten food isn’t cheap but ensuring your kitten has the best start in life is important, which includes giving them food that will provide them with the vital nutrition they need to grow up healthy. Jollyes dry food is more reasonably priced than some alternatives but is still approved by veterinarians and carefully balanced for your kitten’s nutritional needs.The food is thinly sliced to help with the transition from milk to solid foods and is available in three textures to suit fussy felines. We’ve chosen the jelly variety, but it’s also available in gravy and loaf varieties. Royal Canin seems to be very popular with kittens and cats, so we’re confident your kitten will enjoy one of the textures.