The 7 Best Kitten Food
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When you bring home a new kitten it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but you need to remember your responsibilities as a cat owner.
Not only do you need to provide for your kitten’s basic needs, but you need to provide it with a healthy diet as well.
Start your kitten off right with a high-quality, nutritious diet as soon as he is weaned off its mother’s milk onto solid food to keep it healthy for many years to come.
Continue reading to learn more about your cat’s basic nutritional needs and to receive some simple tips for picking the best cat food to provide for those needs.
You’ll also receive our top picks for the best kitten food on Chewy and Amazon.
Compare The 7 Best Kitten Food
|
Best Affordable
2. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe Dry Cat Food |
Best Wet Food
3. Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food |
Best High-Protein
4. Wild Frontier Kitten Open Valley Recipe High-Protein Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
Best Grain-Free Food
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Kitten Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
Best Kitten Food For Allergies
6. Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food |
Best Indoor Kitten Food
7. Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Kitten Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food |
|
|
Protein
43.5% Min |
Protein
36% Min |
Protein
11% Min |
Protein
11% Min |
Protein
40% Min |
Protein
11% Min |
Protein
11% Min |
|
Fat
20.5% Min |
Fat
14% Min |
Fat
7% Min |
Fat
6.5% Min |
Fat
20% Min |
Fat
6.5% Min |
Fat
6.5% Min |
|
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
5% Max |
Fiber
1% Max |
Fiber
0.75% Max |
Fiber
3.5% Max |
Fiber
0.75% Max |
Fiber
0.75% Max |
|
Moisture
9% Max |
Moisture
11% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
9% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
|
Caloric Content
552 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
350 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
122 kcal/3 oz can |
Caloric Content
193 kcal/can |
Caloric Content
457 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
193 kcal/can |
Caloric Content
193 kcal/can |
Special Dietary Requirements Of Kittens
All cats have the same basic nutritional requirements, but kittens have some special life stage considerations.
Because they are still growing, kittens need extra protein to develop strong muscles as well as extra fat to provide the energy needed to fuel their growth.
They also need the perfect blend of nutrients to ensure that their bodies grow and develop properly. Adult cat food contains the same nutrients, but in different concentrations that may not support your kitten’s optimal growth and development.
Here are some things to look for in a good kitten food:
- Quality Protein. As a carnivore, your kitten has high needs for protein and it is the highest quality when it comes from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish.
- Healthy Fats. Fat provides your kitten with energy to fuel its growth and development as well as omega fatty acids for brain development and healthy skin and coat.
- Beneficial Supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplements ensure that your kitten gets the right blend of nutrients for healthy growth and development.
- Digestibility. In addition to making sure that your kitten’s food is full of nutritious ingredients, you need to ensure that it is digestible, so its body can absorb all of those nutrients.
- Real Ingredients. Avoid meat by-products and by-product meals as well as artificial flavors, artificial colors, and added preservatives as much as possible.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best kitten food. Here’s what you need to know:
How To Choose The Best Kitten Food?
Your kitten needs a diet rich in animal-based proteins and fats to fuel its growth and development.
Most of its nutrition should come from animal sources because your kitten is an obligate carnivore – this means that its body is designed to derive nutrition most efficiently from animal rather than plant sources.
Protein is the most important nutrient, essential for building strong muscles, and your kitten needs a minimum of 30% protein content in its diet.
After protein, fat is the next most important nutrient for kittens and should make up at least 9% of its diet.
Fat provides a concentrated source of energy in the form of calories to fuel your kitten’s rapid growth.
Like protein, fat should come primarily from animal sources like chicken fat and salmon oil. In addition to energy, fat provides omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat – it also provides fats like DHA which are essential for brain development.
Kittens have no minimum requirement for carbs, but healthy options like whole grains and fresh veggies provide fiber as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
In addition to protein and fat, your kitten needs certain vitamins and minerals. Choosing a high-quality food is the best way to ensure that your kitten gets the right nutrients in the right amounts.
Look for a protein-rich recipe fortified with chelated minerals because these have been bound to protein molecules which makes them easier for your kitten’s body to digest and absorb.
Other beneficial supplements include prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones.
Keep reading to see our top 7 recommendations for the best kitten food.
The Top 7 Best Kitten Foods
The quality of your kitten’s diet will have a significant impact not only on its growth and development now, but its health and wellness for the duration of its life.
The best food for your kitten will be high in animal-based protein sources with plenty of healthy animal-based fats and beneficial supplements for nutritional balance.
Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 43.5% Min
- Fat: 20.5% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 552 kcal/cup
- Contains 81% real animal ingredients with 19% fruits, veggies, and supplements
- Real chicken is the main ingredient and a rich source of protein
- Formulated to support healthy growth and development in kittens
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
This dry food formula features real chicken as the main ingredient, and it contains a total of 81% real animal ingredients with 19% fruits, vegetables, and beneficial supplements. It contains plenty of energy for growth and play as well as the ideal blend of nutrients to support your kitten’s digestive and immune health.
This kitten formula also contains the right fats for brain and eye development in addition to being loaded with natural flavor. Plus, it’s covered in a freeze-dried raw coating for a boost of nutrition and flavor.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 36% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Moisture: 11% Max
- Caloric Content: 350 kcal/cup
- Made with 100% all-natural, high-quality ingredients
- Contains 36% protein and 14% fat
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
It contains 100% all-natural ingredients including high-quality animal proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources of key nutrients. It features chicken meal and turkey meal as concentrated sources of animal protein with chicken fat and salmon meal for a blend of essential fatty acids.
Overall, this dry food contains 36% protein and 14% fat with 5% fiber for healthy digestion.
Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 122 kcal/3 oz can
- Made with real chicken and chicken liver as the top two ingredients
- Naturally grain-free and low in carbohydrates
- Formulated to support healthy growth and development in kittens
- Contains guar gum which can contribute to smelly stools
- Doesn’t contain probiotic supplements
This wet kitten food features real chicken as the first ingredient with menhaden fish oil for healthy fats. Chelated minerals help to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, working together with vitamin supplements and healthy extracts.
Overall, this canned food recipe is full of natural flavor, high-quality protein, and healthy fats for young kittens.
Wild Frontier Kitten Open Valley Recipe High-Protein Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.75% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 193 kcal/can
- Real chicken first ingredient with several supplemental proteins
- Formulated for optimal growth and development in kittens
- Antioxidants for healthy immunity and calcium for bone growth
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein and potato protein)
- Fairly expensive compared to average kitten food
This kitten formula features fresh chicken as the first ingredient, supplemented with chicken meal, salmon meal, and menhaden fish meal. You’ll also find chicken fat to provide the optimal blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
In addition to being packed with protein and healthy fat for your kitten, this recipe is supplemented with antioxidants for immune system health as well as calcium for strong bones.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Kitten Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 40% Min
- Fat: 20% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 457 kcal/cup
- High-protein recipe made with several quality animal proteins
- Naturally grain-free and free from fillers and artificial additives
- Rich in healthy animal fats for energy as well as healthy skin and coat
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
It is completely free from grains, fillers, and artificial additives but loaded with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to ensure complete and balanced nutrition according to AAFCO requirements. Antioxidants are also a great way to boost immune system health.
This kitten grain free dry food features several sources of premium animal protein including chicken, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, and eggs as well as healthy fats like chicken fat and fish oil.
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.75% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 193 kcal/can
- Contains several sources of premium animal protein
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Safely made in the United States
- Some kittens may be sensitive to poultry ingredients like chicken and turkey
This recipe features premium ingredients including several novel sources of animal protein like chicken, turkey, lamb, and menhaden fish meal. It is rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat as well as fiber for healthy digestion.
This kitten kibble also contains beneficial supplements like chelated minerals and probiotics.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Kitten Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 11% Min
- Fat: 6.5% Min
- Fiber: 0.75% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 193 kcal/can
- Formulated for growing indoor kittens
- Rich in real animal protein from fresh chicken
- Supplemented with DHA for brain and eye development
- Some kittens are sensitive or allergic to chicken ingredients
This Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Kitten Recipe canned food is a great choice to get your kitten started on the right foot. It is packed with quality protein with enough fat and calories to meet his energy requirements without going overboard.
In addition to being loaded with protein, this formula is supplemented with DHA for brain development as well as healthy fruits and veggies to provide natural sources for key nutrients.
How Much Should You Feed Your Kitten?
An adult cat requires between 25 and 35 calories per pound of body weight per day, depending on its age, size, and activity level.
Because your kitten is still growing, its needs may be much higher – some kittens need as many as 100 calories per pound of body weight.
The best way to ensure that your kitten’s needs are met is to start with a high-quality kitten food and to follow the feeding recommendations according to your kitten’s age and weight.
Remember, the calorie content of different kitten formulas is different, especially between dry kitten food and canned food. Be sure to check the label for recommendations on feeding.
What About Food Allergies And Sensitivities?
All cats have the potential to develop food allergies and sensitivities – even kittens.
If your kitten is experiencing recurrent skin problems like itchy skin or a dull, brittle coat, it could be that allergies are to blame.
Some of the most common food allergies seen in cats are beef, dairy products, wheat, corn, other grains, and artificial additives. If your kitten has an allergy, you should remove that pet food from its diet and might consider switching to a limited ingredient recipe made with a novel source of protein – one your kitten hasn’t eaten before.
Final Remarks
Now that you understand your kitten’s nutritional needs, you can start shopping for kitten food!
Remember, the best kitten food will be high in protein with plenty of healthy animal-based fats and beneficial supplements for nutritional balance – you should also look for probiotics for healthy digestion.
If you’re not sure where to start, try one of our top 7 picks reviewed above!
