Bringing a kitten home is an exciting experience, filled with tiny paws and playful purrs. Ensuring your new companion grows into a healthy adult requires careful attention to their diet. Proper nutrition during the first year of a kitten's life is crucial for their overall well-being, laying the foundation for a lifetime of health and vitality. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of kitten feeding, covering everything from nutritional needs to feeding schedules.
Why Kitten Nutrition Matters
Choosing the right kitten food is an investment in their long-term well-being. The nutrients consumed during these early stages play a fundamental role in their growth, development, and overall health. Every bite contributes to building strong bones and muscles, supporting cognitive function, and strengthening the immune system.
Understanding a Kitten's Unique Nutritional Needs
Kittens have distinct nutritional requirements compared to adult cats due to their rapid growth and high activity levels. During the first few weeks of life, a kitten's weight can double or even triple. To support this explosive growth, kittens require a diet rich in specific nutrients.
Key Nutrients for Kittens:
- High Protein: Like adult cats, kittens are obligate carnivores, requiring a diet high in animal-based protein. Kittens need even more protein than adults, with a recommended range of 30-50% on a dry matter basis to support their developing bodies.
- High Fat: Kittens expend a lot of energy growing, developing, and playing. Healthy fats provide a concentrated source of energy and support various bodily functions.
- DHA: This essential omega-3 fatty acid plays a crucial role in brain and vision development.
- Taurine: This vital amino acid is essential for maintaining heart health, supporting vision, and promoting proper digestion. Cats cannot synthesize taurine on their own, so it must be provided through their diet.
- Calcium and Phosphorus: Kittens require higher quantities of these minerals to ensure proper bone development.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Kittens need a complete and balanced diet with the right amount of vitamins and minerals, and mineral supplementation should only be done if recommended by your veterinarian.
What to Feed Your Kitten: A Stage-by-Stage Guide
Kittens' nutritional needs change as they grow. Here's a guide to selecting the right food at each stage of development:
Newborn to 4 Weeks: Mother's Milk or Kitten Formula
Newborn kittens get all their nutrition from their mother's milk. If separated from their mother, they need a milk replacer, which comes as a powder or ready-to-feed formula. This should be fed via syringe or bottle. Cow's milk is not an adequate replacement. Kittens without access to mother’s milk usually need to be fed every few hours, around the clock.
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4-8 Weeks: Transition to Solid Food
Around 4 weeks old, kittens begin weaning from their mother's milk, and you can start introducing solid food. At this stage, choose a complete and balanced wet kitten food specially made for kittens 4+ weeks old. These come in smooth, easy-to-eat textures, like mousse, mousse and shreds, and soft pâté. You can also mix kitten food with milk formula during the transition period. Some kittens are more eager to switch to solids than others. If your kitten is reluctant, keep them topped up with formula to ensure they continue gaining weight and growing.
8+ Weeks: Solid Food Diet
As your kitten grows and is fully weaned, they can begin to eat larger pieces of food. After about 8 weeks, you can offer them whole food wet meals for kittens or a dry kitten formula with a wet meal topper. A combination diet of wet and dry kitten food is acceptable if the dry food is moistened before feeding to smaller kittens that are less than 8 weeks old. By this point, your kitten should be fully weaned and more comfortable with solid foods. Choose wet and dry kitten food that has been specially formulated for young felines, and always ensure there is clean, fresh water available.
Wet vs. Dry Food: Making the Right Choice
Commercially prepared cat foods are available in dry, semi-moist, and canned forms. These vary in water content, protein level, caloric density, palatability, and digestibility. Most veterinarians recommend that kittens start their journey towards solid food at 4-8 weeks with a good-quality, finely textured wet kitten food.
Wet Food
Canned cat food has a high moisture content (at least 75%), making it a good dietary source of water. It is generally the most expensive type of cat food, but is also highly palatable for most cats. Many different varieties are available, which can be helpful if your cat is a finicky eater. After the package is opened, any unused portion of opened canned cat food should be refrigerated to maintain quality and prevent spoilage.
- Pros: High moisture content, increased palatability, and mixability.
- Cons: More expensive than dry food.
Dry Food
Dry food contains between 6 and 10 percent water. It is relatively inexpensive and offers the convenience of "free choice" feeding. However, dry food may be less palatable than moist or semi-moist food and may also be less digestible. It’s a good idea to store dry cat food in an airtight container to help prevent nutrient deterioration and maintain flavor.
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- Pros: Cost-efficient, supports dental health, and allows for free-feeding.
- Cons: Lower moisture content, may be less palatable.
Combination Feeding
A mix of both wholesome wet and dry food is recommended for the first eight to 12 weeks. If you are feeding your kitten both dry and canned foods, then twice a day canned feedings are sufficient. If they’re only eating canned food, they should be fed four times daily.
How Much to Feed Your Kitten
To determine how much to feed your kitten, refer to the feeding chart on the food packaging. These charts provide guidelines based on the kitten's age and weight. Monitor your kitten's body condition and energy level, adjusting the amount of food as needed. Generally, kittens should gain around 1 pound per month. Consult your veterinarian if you're unsure how much to feed.
Here’s a general kitten feeding chart for easy reference:
| Age (weeks) | Weight (lbs) | Daily Dry Kitten Food(8 oz cups) | OR Daily Wet Kitten Food(3 oz cans) | Feeding Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 12 | 1 to 3 | 1/4 to 1/2 cup moistened dry | OR 1/2 to 1-1/2 cans | Divide into 3 to 4 meals per day For kittens 3 to 4 weeks of age, keep moistened Pro Plan available at all times. At 6 to 8 weeks of age, kittens will normally eat dry or moistened food at will. If adding water, use no more than one part warm (not hot) water to three parts Pro Plan, changing frequently to ensure freshness. |
| 12 to 24(3 to 5-1/2 months) | 3 to 5 | 1/3 to 2/3 cup dry | OR 1-1/2 to 2 cans | Divide into 2 to 3 meals per day (dry food) Divide into 3 or more meals (wet food) |
| 24 to 36(5-1/2 to 8-1/4 months) | 5 to 7 | 1/3 to 2/3 cup dry | OR 2 to 3 cans | Divide into 2 to 3 meals or at will (dry food) Divide into 3 or more meals (wet food) If feeding both wet and dry food, feed a total of 4 to 8 ounces per day. |
| 36 to 52(8-1/4 months to 1 year) | 5 to 14 | 1/4 to 3/4 cup dry | OR 2 to 7 cans | Divide into 2 meals or at will (dry food) Divide into 3 or more meals (wet food) If feeding both wet and dry food, feed a total of 3 to 8 ounces per day. As kittens near adulthood, their calorie needs may decrease. Continue to adjust the amount you feed to maintain your kitten in ideal body condition. |
| 52+ | 5 to 14 | 1/4 to 3/4 cup dry adult cat food | OR 2 to 7, 3 oz cans of adult cat food | Divided into 2 meals or at will (dry food) Divide into 2 or more meals (wet food) If feeding both wet and dry food, feed a total of 3 to 6 ounces per day. |
Establishing a Kitten Feeding Schedule
Creating a routine and feeding your kitten at the same time each day can help her feel secure and will aid in forming a bond between you two that will last for many years to come. How often you should feed a kitten depends on her age.
Feeding Frequency:
- 4 to 6 Months: Divide the total daily amount into three-to-four servings.
- 6+ Months: Kittens can be fed once a day to three times or more. This depends on your schedule and your kitten’s habits, as long as you don’t give her more than her total daily calorie needs.
There are two basic ways to feed kittens: free feeding and meal feeding. Free feeding means that dry food is left out for the kitten to graze on when they want. This type of feeding can lead to overeating, weight gain, and sometimes dehydration. We recommend meal feeding by dividing up their daily food allotment into multiple meals of wet or dry/wet mixed food. This ensures that they receive all the nutrients they need and provides beneficial hydration.
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Treats and Supplements: Moderation is Key
It’s OK to feed your kitten treats, as long as you follow the “10% calorie rule.” This means that treats should make up less than 10% of your kitten’s total calorie intake. But this doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to turn your leftover table scraps into treats for your kitten.
While giving your cat an occasional treat is not generally harmful, they are usually not a nutritionally complete and balanced source of nutrition and should only be fed occasionally. A good rule of thumb is not to let treats exceed 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily caloric intake. In addition, some foods should be avoided completely. Although raw meat is an excellent source of many nutrients, it is not recommended as a food or a treat for cats, because it is a potential vehicle for toxoplasmosis and other infectious diseases.
Use supplements only if your veterinarian recommends them. Remember that too much of a “good thing” can be bad for your kitten, causing severe medical problems.
Human Food for Kittens: What's Safe and What's Not
While a good quality kitten food is key to successful feeding, what kittens can eat does include a small selection of the following human foods. These should only be an occasional addition to a kitten's diet as even though they are digestible, human foods may not support their nutritional needs. The most important nutrition will always be from their kitten food and they need to maintain their appetite for it.
Safe human foods for kittens (in small quantities):
- Cooked fish (without bones or fins)
- Scrambled or boiled egg
- Cooked meat (without gravy, bones, or skin)
- Selected fruits (strawberries, blueberries)
- Vegetables (cooked broccoli, carrots, pumpkin)
Foods to avoid feeding kittens:
- Cherries, grapes, and raisins (toxic to cats)
- Apple pips (contain cyanide)
- Onions and garlic (toxic to cats)
- Raw meat, bones, fish, or eggs (may carry Salmonella or E. coli)
- Adult cat food, dog food, and puppy food (lack essential nutrients for kittens)
- Table scraps (often contain toxic ingredients)
Transitioning to Adult Cat Food
Kittens grow fast, and before you know it, you’ll need to switch to adult cat food. For most cats, changing a kitten’s food should happen around her first birthday. We recommend transitioning to adult food over the course of seven-to-ten days. This will help avoid any digestive upset as your cat gets used to her new food. If your cat resists eating the new food, slow the transition and give her more time before you increase the amount of adult food.
Choosing the Right Kitten Food Brand
When choosing the best food for your kitten, it’s helpful to look at major pet food brands, such as Purina, Hill’s, Royal Canin, or IAMS. When looking at the label on the cat food, look for the nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The best kitten foods should have appropriate protein and fat levels for growth and development, as well as omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA for brain and eye development.
Mindy Bough, CVT, senior director of client services for the Midwest Office of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) emphasizes the importance of high-quality kitten food. “I don’t recommend generic or store brands,” Bough says. Buy from a reputable company -- one that veterinarians recommend more frequently, she says. “Research has determined these kitten foods provide excellent health.”
Other Important Considerations
- Fresh Water: Cats should have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Eating Environment: Keep in mind that heavy-traffic areas, noise, the presence of other animals, dirty food containers, or nearby litter boxes can deter a cat from eating. Try to be sensitive to your cat’s eating behavior, and make necessary adjustments.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is another important consideration. Obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in cats, and makes cats susceptible to a number of health problems, including arthritis and diabetes. Ask your veterinarian to help you determine the ideal body weight for your cat and follow their suggestions for adjusting your cat’s diet to reach and maintain that weight.
- Finicky Eaters: Although many cats are content to eat a single food, some cats may develop finicky eating habits and become very selective about what foods they’ll accept. Feeding your cat two or three different cat foods provides flavor variety, and may prevent your cat from developing an exclusive preference for a single food. A cat that refuses to eat can develop serious medical problems. This is true for sick cats that lack an appetite, for cats on a diet, and for the finicky cat that refuses to eat. A veterinarian should examine any cat that refuses to eat and is losing weight.