Finding what type of food to feed kittens can be a difficult task. There are so many options out there, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Add in your own kitty’s personal preferences, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by how many options there are and how little you know what to choose!
In this article, we’ll look at what type of food to feed kittens based on price, quality, and nutrition content.
Types of Kitten Foods
There are so many different types of kitten food out there, so it can be hard to decide which one is right for your kitten.
There are three main types of kitten food:
- Wet
- Semi-moist
- Dry
When it comes to choosing the right food for your kitten, most of the time it’s just a matter of taste.
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According to research published in July 1996, no matter what type of food you go with, if you’re introducing your kitten to a new type of food, it’s best to give it to them in small amounts over a few days before adding more or switching to a different brand.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of kitten food.
1. Wet Kitten Food (Canned)
Wet kitten food is often mistaken for a kitten’s dry food, but it’s much more than that! Wet kitten food can be a great addition to any kitten’s diet and offers a variety of benefits, including:
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- It has a higher moisture content compared to dry kibble.
- It’s much easier to digest than dry kibble.
- It also helps with digestive issues that are common in young cats.
Young kittens require at least a portion of canned food in order to develop properly.
Canned food is easier to digest and provides the nutrition they require when kibble is too difficult to chew.
Due to its smell and texture, wet food can also be a tasty treat for newly-weaned kittens who are unsure about eating solid foods.
2. Semi-moist Kitten Food
So, your kitty doesn’t want to eat wet food but is not ready to eat dry food? A semi-soft kitty food might be the right choice for your lovely kitty!
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So, you have two choices when it comes to dry kitty food vs. wet kitty food.
- Semi-moist “pouch” foods
- Soft-dry kibble mixes
Mushroom and semi-moist cat foods are usually packaged individually, so that’s why they’re also known as pouch foods.
The moisture content is about 50-60%, so it’s closer to wet canned food than a dry kibble.
Pouch food is often used as a dry-to-wet food transition, which is great for kittens who are still getting used to eating firm foods.
Plus, pouch foods often come with an aromatic sauce that’ll entice inquisitive kittens.
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Soft-dry kibble is another option, and it comes in both crunchy and soft pieces. It’s suitable for adult cats and kittens alike.
In fact, kittens may even benefit from the softer pieces, as they’re gentler on the gums and teeth.
This format is especially useful for transitioning from a milk or formula to a big-kitty diet.
3. Dry Kitten Food
Another good choice for your kitty is dry kitten food. Dry kitten food is packed with essential nutrients and minerals to help your lovely kitten grow strong and healthy.
A cat is a carnivore and requires meat for sustenance. According to research, kittens grow so quickly, that they require more protein than adults just like in humans.
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In the early stages of development, kitty requires amino acids such as:
- Arginine
- Lysine
- Methionine
A deficiency of these nutrients can lead to developmental issues or even shorten your kitten’s life span.
There’s no need to worry about these nutritional requirements when feeding your kitten specially formulated dry kitten food.
Dry kibble is also easy to store and doesn’t need to be refrigerated, making it easier to buy in bulk and store for a longer period of time than other pre-packaged options.
What type of food to feed kittens? Try:
Best Kitten Canned Food
If you are looking for delicious, healthy kitten food, then look no further than “Wellness Complete Health” this canned kitten food.
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This kitten food has a delicious chicken flavor and is packed with high-quality proteins and essential fatty acids.
This natural kitten food also contains taurine, which is essential for the development of healthy eyes and heart.
Best Kitten Dry Food
When you’re shopping for dry kitten food, it’s important to make sure it’s made with high-quality ingredients that offer nutritional value, not just a bunch of fillers.
Acana’s dry kitten food has a great flavor that your kitten will love. With a balanced combination of free-range chickens, whole herring, and organs, this cat food provides your kitten with all the nutrients they need to thrive, grow strong, and be happy.
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Best Kitten Soft Food
When it comes to healthy kitten food, there is no better option than Hill’s Pet Nutrition. With an irresistible gravy sauce that will entice your kitten, this kitten food caters to the development needs of kittens under 1 year old.
It is packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, as well as delicious natural ingredients. This gourmet daily nutrition can be enjoyed by your kitten alone or mixed with dry food.
Best Organic Kitten Food for Growth
You want your kitty to grow upright, so it’s only natural that you want them to eat organic kitten food. In our opinion, Halo’s grain-free kibble is the best of the best.
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It’s made with a delicious salmon & whitefish recipe that promotes muscle growth. Plus, it’s packed with DHA to help with brain development, plus it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help your kitty’s immune system.
Plus, it doesn’t contain any growth hormones, flavors, antibiotics, colors, or preservatives and it’s not factory-farmed either!
Best Kitten Food for Healthy Joints
Even for kitties, joint health should be a priority. One of the best all-around health boosters from Orijen, this product offers 8 overall health benefits including joint health.
The first five components are fresh or raw chicken and fish. The prebiotic and fiber blend includes whole pumpkin seeds, collard greens, apples, and pears to support your cat’s digestive system.
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Vet-Recommended Kitten Food
If you’re looking for safe and well-formulated kitten food, Hill’s Science Diet is the way to go.
When it comes to what your vet recommends for your kitten, this food is carefully formulated to meet your kitten’s development needs.
High-quality protein helps your kitten grow and develop, and Hill’s Science Diet cat food is made from natural ingredients.
This kitten food also contains DHA, which is derived from fish oil. DHA helps your kitten’s eyes and brain develop properly, so you can be sure your kitten is getting the nutrients they needs to stay healthy and strong.
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It’s important to remember that your kitten needs a balanced diet throughout their first year of life.
Best Kitten Food for Sensitive Stomach
When your kitten needs a mild formula for their sensitive tummy, try this one from Blue Wilderness.
A delicious grain-free kitten food made with the best natural ingredients enriched with vitamins and minerals.
This high-protein kitten food includes real salmon, fruits, and vegetables to help with digestion. This recipe also includes DHA to support cognitive development!
Best Raw Kitten Food
Raw cat food is often a good option for those kitties that require a specific diet and for those owners who don’t want to deal with highly processed, filler-rich formulas.
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Iron Will Raw’s raw cat food option is perfect for our obligate, carnivorous cats. It’s high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbs.
This formula is suitable for all stages of life, including kittens.
It’s also a safe option to feed a raw cat diet because it meets the AAFCO standard for all stages.
However, that’s not always the case when it comes to raw food.
If you’re interested in this type of specialty diet, you’ll want a ready-to-eat product like the one Iron Will Raw offers.
FAQs Related To What Type Of Food To Feed Kittens
What type of food should kittens be fed?
For these reasons, the vast majority of specialists suggest feeding your kitten-formulated kitten food up to the age of 1.
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Can kittens eat rice?
Yes, cats can eat rice in small amounts.
Can kittens eat raw chicken?
Yes. You can feed your cat raw chicken as long as it’s part of a balanced diet.
Can I give a kitten milk?
No. Make sure you only feed your kittens a kitten formula that’s been approved by the vet. A kitten milk replacement formula is the way to go.
What do you feed a kitten without a mother?
Kitten milk replacement formula
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Can kittens eat eggs?
Yes. You can also give your kitten some eggs – just a tiny bit of either a scramble or a boiled egg.
Can kittens eat bread?
Kittens don’t need to eat bread all the time, but it should be a treat every now and then.
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