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Best Kitten Food

Are you seeking the best kitten food for your adorable little fur ball?

Kittenhood is a crucial time in a cat’s life when the cat’s body and brain are developing rapidly. So, it is evident that a kitten needs the best nutrition you can offer to create and live a long and happy life. It is crucial to meet all the kitten’s needs during this time, so your food choice should be the best.

But how do you figure out the best kitten food? There are a lot of different cat food brands available on the market, so it can be difficult for you to determine which is the best of them all. That’s where I come to help!

In this blog post, we will go through the best kitten foods available on the market, and I’ll go through everything there is to know about feeding kittens.

So, let’s begin, shall we?

Kittens vs. Cats: The Difference Between the Nutritional Needs

Did you know that a kitten’s weight doubles—and sometimes triples—during the first few weeks of her life? To support the high energy needs and the explosion in growth, kittens may need as much as three times more energy than the average cats. So, naturally, the high energy demands of the kittens make it harder for them to get enough calories from a single meal.

So, feeding a kitten three to four times daily is standard. Because of their high energy needs, kittens also love snacking, so it’s a win-win. Apart from that, a kitten requires more fat, vitamins, and fatty acids than an adult cat. Kittens also need more amino acids, protein, and minerals for all-round development.

Kittens need at least 30% of their energy from a good source of protein. Since the nutritional needs of kittens differ significantly from those of adult cats, experts recommend you give your cat kibble made especially for kittens until she reaches the 1-year mark. However, some kibbles are appropriate for all life stages, so keep an eye on them.

What’s a High-quality Kitten Food?

It is important to note that you shouldn’t buy store or generic brands because they aren’t usually of high quality. Instead, you should invest in name brands that are recommended by veterinarians. Ask your vet about his recommended brands, and go from there! However, since so many different options are available, it is still hard to determine which food is high quality. Let’s take a look:

  • Checking the label: The kitten food must meet all the minimum nutritional needs of kittens that are established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
  • Complete and Balanced Meal: Look for kitten food on the label that says it is a complete meal. This means that your kitten will require no added vitamins and minerals, and it is a good idea to use supplements only when recommended by the vets
  • .Feed Homemade Diets Cautiously: Not all homemade diets provide the cat with complete nutrition. All-meat diets are low in Calcium, which causes a mineral imbalance that can lead to hyperparathyroidism—always consult a reputable nutritionist for meals and recipes.

If you feed your kitten right, your furry bundle of joy should be alert and healthy, gain weight steadily, and have a clean, glossy coat. Calling the veterinarian is a good idea if this isn’t the case.

Wet or Dry: Which Food Is Best for Kittens?

Most people do not realize that your kitten should have some canned food in her diet, especially if she’s young. Young and smaller kittens have tiny teeth, so they aren’t good at chewing dry food. If they aren’t given canned food, they may not meet all their nutritional needs and grow properly.

You should feed your kitten a mixture of dry and canned food.

If you’re giving the kitten both canned and dry food, you can feed canned food to the kitten twice a day. However, if you’re giving your kitten canned food exclusively, you should serve it at least four times daily.

Switching Between Foods: The Transition

Cats are picky eaters, and it all begins in the kittenhood. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! If you feed the kitten right and meet all the nutritional needs, you don’t have to indulge in picky behaviors because the cats learn them during this stage.

Get your furry friend started on the right paw!

Top 7 Best Kitten Food Brands

Out of the hundreds of kitten foods available on the market, which ones are the absolute best for kittens? In this blog post section, I will quickly overview the top 7 best kitten foods available in 2018. I’ll review each of these cat foods individually in the following section.

So, take a peek:

Food Name Key Features Our Rating Prices
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food ●       The recipe is developed explicitly for indoor cats

●       Made from high-quality ingredients that contain prebiotic fiber that supports the kitten’s digestive health

●       Contains a blend of antioxidants, including Vitamin E and C, for a healthy immune system

● Doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

●       Trusted and recommended by vets

4.5 Stars Check Prices
Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Dry Cat Food With Ocean Fish and Salmon ●       The kitten food contains authentic seafood flavors that are loved by cats all over the world

●       Garden greens are added to the cat food to add some variety to the color

●       The lightly cooked food features a delicate and crunchy finish

●       The combined flavors have a taste that kittens love

4.5 Stars Check Prices
IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food ●       Designed to meet all the nutritional needs and support the growth of kittens aged one or younger

●       The food helps the cat develop a solid, efficient immune system

●       The nutrients are formulated to mimic those in the mother’s milk

●       The meal is 100% complete and provides a balanced nutrition to kittens

●       Recommended by vets

4.5 Stars Check Prices
Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Premium Dry Cat Food ●       The number 1 ingredient in this kitten food is real chicken

●       The food is high in protein that supports the growth of strong muscles

●       The kitten food doesn’t contain any filler ingredients, and all high-quality ingredients have a purpose

●       The kibble is crunchy, which reduces tartar buildup and helps whiten the teeth

●       The food contains DHA, which helps with vision and brain development

4.4 Stars Check Prices
BLUE for Cats Kitten Dry Cat Food ●       This delicious and protein-rich kitten food contains deboned chicken as the main ingredient

●       The food contains wholesome fruits and vegetables that allow the kitten to get nourished by premium ingredients and feel full

●       The kitten food doesn’t contain chicken or poultry by-product meals

●       The food contains DHA that supports cognitive development as well as vision and brain development

4.3 Stars Check Prices
Pro Plan Focus Chicken & Rice Kitten Food ●       This kitten food lists chicken as the number one ingredient

●       The food contains 41% protein, which helps meet all the needs of a developing kitten

●       The food contains DHA for optimal cognitive, vision, and brain development

●       The food is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids

●       Comes with added Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for strong bones and teeth

4.5 Stars Check Prices
Purina Kitten Chow Dry Kitten Food, Nurture ●       This kitten food is a good source of all 25 essential Vitamins and Minerals that are critical for a developing kitten

●       The DHA in the food helps in the healthy development of the brain

●       The food is also fortified with antioxidants for a more robust immune system

4.4 Stars Check Prices

Now, let’s take a closer look at these kitten foods, shall we?

Let’s begin.

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food

The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten food is one of the best. The food is made to meet all the needs of indoor cats, and the added fiber promotes healthy and gentle digestion. The high-quality ingredients in this food help make cleaning up the litter box easier.

The high-quality lean protein helps maintain muscle and keeps the kitten at a healthy weight. The kibble is nutritionally balanced to ensure lifelong health and vitality. The food is made from high-quality ingredients and is free of artificial flavors and preservatives.

The following are the key points to note:

  • The recipe is developed explicitly for indoor cats
  • Made from high-quality ingredients that contain prebiotic fiber that supports the kitten’s digestive health
  • It includes a blend of antioxidants, including Vitamin E and C, for a healthy immune system
  • It doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
  • Trusted and recommended by vets

Let’s peek at the pros and the cons, shall we?

Pros Cons
●       Designed to cater to the needs of indoor cats

●       Made from high-quality ingredients

●       Contains essential vitamins and minerals

●       Recommended by vets

●       May cause an upset stomach

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten food is one of the best. The kibble contains the right blend of all the essential vitamins and minerals a developing kitten needs.

Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Dry Cat Food With Ocean Fish and Salmon

The Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Dry Cat Food is among the best kitten foods. This food features a gourmet taste that cats all over the world love. The meaty flavor and the savory taste of ocean fish and salmon are enjoyed by kittens all over the globe. This kitten food is basted to have a crunchy finish that helps clean and whiten the kitten’s teeth. The kitten food provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for all-round development.

Following are some of the key points to keep in mind:

  • The kitten food contains authentic seafood flavors that are loved by cats all over the world
  • Garden greens are added to the cat food to add some variety to the color
  • The lightly cooked food features a delicate and crunchy finish
  • The combined flavors have a taste that kittens love

Let’s weigh the pros against the cons!

Pros Cons
●       Features an authentic seafood flavor and is loved by cats all over the world

●       The garden greens add a boost of micronutrients

●       The food is lightly cooked to have a crunch

●       May cause gastrointestinal disturbances for some kittens

The Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Dry Cat Food is one of the best available. This kitten food has a gourmet taste that cats can’t get enough of and has a crunchy finish that helps keep the kitten’s teeth clean.

IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food

The IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is one of the best cat foods available. The kitten food comes with all the wholesome ingredients in the mother’s milk and is designed for growing kittens. The cat food is made mainly of chicken and contains no filler ingredients. The food is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids for brain development, vision, and eye health.

Take a look at some key points:

  • Designed to meet all the nutritional needs and support the growth of kittens aged one or younger
  • The food helps the cat develop a solid, efficient immune system
  • The nutrients are formulated to mimic those in the mother’s milk
  • The meal is 100% complete and provides a balanced nutrition to kittens
  • Recommended by vets

Now, it’s time to look at the pros and the cons!

Pros Cons
●       Helps meet all the nutritional needs of cats

●       A complete meal that doesn’t need to be supplemented

●       Mimics the mother’s milk

●       May not be suitable for kittens with a sensitive stomach

The IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is one of the best kitten foods you can buy. The food is rich in antioxidants that help boost the kitten’s immune system.

Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Premium Dry Cat Food

The Purina One Healthy Kitten Formula Premium Dry Cat food is one of the best available. This cat food is full of nutrition that a young kitten needs to meet all her needs. The food contains no filler ingredients and is made with the best ingredients available. The kitten food features a crunchy texture that kittens love, and the kibble is a 100% complete and balanced meal, so you won’t have to give supplements to your kitten.

Following are some key points to keep in mind:

  • The number 1 ingredient in this kitten food is real chicken
  • The food is high in protein that supports the growth of strong muscles
  • The kitten food doesn’t contain any filler ingredients, and all high-quality ingredients have a purpose
  • The kibble is crunchy, which reduces tartar buildup and helps whiten the teeth
  • The food ccomprisesDHA, which helps with vision and brain development

Let’s look at the pros and the cons, shall we?

Pros Cons
●       Made with real chicken

●       High in protein content and doesn’t contain any filler ingredients

●       Helps reduce tartar buildup

●       Can be hard to chew

To summarize, the Purina One Healthy Kitten Formula Premium Dry Cat food deserves to be on the list of the best kitten foods as it provides the cat with complete nutrition while meeting all its needs.

BLUE for Cats Kitten Dry Cat Food

The Blue for Cats Kitten Dry Cat food is one of the best kitten foods you can choose. The unique two-part food ensures that your kitten will get the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the finest natural ingredients.

The kitten food is designed to meet all the requirements of growing kittens and contains DHA that helps with the kitten’s brain development and cognitive growth. The food comprises wholesome grains like Barley and Oats.

Let’s take a peek at the key points:

  • This delicious and protein-rich kitten food contains deboned chicken as the main ingredient
  • The food contains wholesome fruits and vegetables that allow the kitten to feel full and nourished by premium ingredients.
  • The kitten food doesn’t contain chicken or poultry by-product meals
  • The food comprises DHA that supports cognitive development as well as vision and brain development

Now, it’s time to look at the pros and the cons!

Pros Cons
●       Delicious and nutritious meal

●       Made of premium ingredients

● Doesn’t contain poultry or chicken by-products

●       Comes with DHA for better brain and cognitive function

●       May cause an allergic reaction such as itching

The Blue for Cats Kitten Dry Cat food is one of the best kitten foods you can buy. The food contains DHA, essential for the optimal growth and development of the kitten’s brain and cognitive function.

Pro Plan Focus Chicken & Rice Kitten Food

The Pro Plan Focus Chicken and Rice Kitten Food is one of the best options. The food promises excellent nutrition and great taste. The kitten food contains 40% protein, which is great for growing kittens.

The kitten food is made from the highest quality ingredients available, and the food is trusted and recommended by vets nationwide.

Let’s take a look at the key points, shall we?

  • This kitten food lists chicken as the number one ingredient
  • The food contains 41% protein, which helps meet all the needs of a developing kitten
  • The food contains DHA for optimal cognitive, vision, and brain development
  • The food is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Comes with added Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for strong bones and teeth

Now, let’s look at the pros and cons:

Pros Cons
●       Contains more than 40% of protein, which is excellent for growing kittens

●       DHA helps in cognitive development, optimal vision, and brain development

●       Contains added minerals and vitamins

●       Chicken is the number one ingredient

●       Can cause an upset stomach for some kittens

●       Not suitable for all breeds

The Pro Plan Focus Chicken and Rice Kitten Food is one of the best available. The food contains added vitamins and minerals that promote better vision, faster brain function, and strong teeth and bones.

Purina Kitten Chow Dry Kitten Food

The Purina Kitten Chow Dry Kitten food is one of the best kitten foods available to buy on the market. The age-essential dry kitten food contains a mix of 25 vitamins and minerals that are essential for the kitten’s growth.

The kitten food doesn’t contain added colors or preservatives and features a taste loved by cats nationwide.

Let’s take a look at the key points, shall we?

  • This kitten food is a good source of all 25 essential Vitamins and Minerals critical for a developing kitten.
  • The DHA in the food helps in the healthy development of the brain
  • The food is also fortified with antioxidants for a more robust immune system

Let’s weigh the pros against the cons!

Pros Cons
●       Contains a mix of all the essential ingredients

●       Made from high-quality ingredients

●       Contains DHA for brain development and antioxidants for better development

●       Features a good taste

●       Some kittens may have an aversive reaction to the food

All in all, the Purina Kitten Chow Dry Kitten food is one of the best kitten foods available. The food contains added vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy immune system and balanced growth.

Final Words: Looking at the Best Kitten Food Available in 2018

There are a lot of brands of cat foods available on the market, but your kitten deserves nothing but the best of all of them.

A good kitten food should be:

  • Made of high-quality ingredients
  • Free from filler ingredients such as wheat, corn, or soy
  • Free from artificial flavor and coloring
  • High on meat content and have at least 30% of protein in it
  • It should be a mixture of wet and dry kibble

Kittenhood is a critical period for growth and developmental changes in the kitten’s body. All the organs and the brain increase during this time, so a kitten needs three times the nutrition of an adult cat.

I could help you find the best kitten food for your furry bundle of joy.

Remember that even though these are the best kitten foods available on the market, your cat might not like the taste or smell. So, getting a smaller bag to try out the product and look for aversive reactions is a good idea. You can buy a bigger pack if your kitten likes it.

Check out our top food section for more of the best cat foods!

Do you still have any unanswered questions? Let me know in the comments section, and I will reply soon!

{ 1 comment… add one }
  • / August 25, 2021, 5:56 pm

    IAMS in my opinion is the best kitten and cat food. Having made this statement, it is pricey. So what I end up buying is Purina products or anything close until IAMS goes on sale. I’ve also heard that Blue is also in the running as well.

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