Why do kittens need different food from adult cats?
As you know, a kitten’s requirements differ greatly from adult and older cats. Kittens are very much active, playful, and energetic, and they’re in a growing period. So, they need a lot of calories and energy from their food. Usually, Homemade cat food provides the best nutrition for them.
A mother cat gives 3 or 4 offspring at a time. So, she needs to produce a lot of milk. It may not be possible for her all the time. So, a mother cat rejects her litter. Sometimes a mother cat may die during labour. So, in this situation, the breeders must provide kitten food.
If the mother cat was your pet and died during labour, you must look for kitten food for those kittens. So, kitten food is very important and needed for the kittens’ well-being.
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What is the best food for kittens?
The best food for kittens is their mother’s milk- no doubt. Though mothers mild can’t fulfil their nutritional needs, the milk contains antibodies and infection-fighting proteins that help the kittens stay safe in their first few weeks.
Besides, the first milk of the mother cat contains colostrum which the queen mother produces in the first 12-24 hours after birth. Colostrum is the best protector of all diseases.
If the mother cat is unable to provide milk to her kittens, then a surrogate mother can take the responsibility to take care of the kittens. In the wildlife, surrogacy is a very common thing. But if the mother and kittens are pets, finding a surrogate mother is difficult.
If any cat is unable to receive milk from her mother or surrogacy, then there is an option for them. You can provide commercial milk to the kittens. There are so many commercial milk replacers in the market. You can find the best for your kitten according to the kitten’s choice.
Should you feed your kitten cow/goat/sheep milk?
Milk from another species is not recommended for felines. Felines can’t digest those milk, and it can cause diarrhea. So, you shouldn’t use cow/goat/ship milk.
The differences between kitten and adult cats’ nutrition requirements
Well, the main difference is growth and development requirements. As kittens need to grow and develop their body and mind, they need increased protein, fat, calories, calcium, phosphorus, omega fatty acids, and trace elements.
Kittens need more calcium for their growing bones than adult cats. If adult cats consume more calcium, it may harm them.
Kitten food must have more lipids, also.
Kitten food also should be rich in DHA. DHA is an important omega-3 fatty acid for a kitten’s brain development.
Which ingredients should be in kitten food?
Some ingredients are essential in kitten food as kittens are growing. So, let’s know about these ingredients so that when you purchase or make food at home, you can know the ingredients going into your cat’s body.
Nutritional content:
Kittens must need special diets to grow up and develop properly. So, choose a kitten food that is full of high protein, fat, and calories.
Calories:
Wet food contains more calories than dry food. So, wet and calorie-enriched food can be the best solution for kittens struggling to gain weight.
Fat:
Fat is very much important to gain energy and brain development. So, kitten food should contain at least 20% of fat.
Protein:
Protein is essential for the development of bones and muscles. So, kitten food must contain 30% of protein.
High moisturizer:
Kittens are not prone to drink sufficient water. So they may suffer from kidney disease. So, kitten food should be enriched with moisturizer content so that the food can fulfil the deficiency if they don’t drink enough water.
Palatability:
Kittens are supposed to eat several times a day with few nibbles. So, their food must be tasty and delicious.
At last, kitten food also must be species-related. If you choose commercial readymade food for your kitten, it should be approved by Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO), and if you make food at home, it must be vet-approved.
How to choose kitten food?
While you choose kitten food, you must keep in mind your kitten’s nutrition and calorie requirements. They need more calories and nutrients than adult cats. So, always avoid food for all ages. Always choose food that is specially designed for kittens.
Always read the labels. Notice the first 3 or 4 ingredients. The main ingredients must be the protein that has come from animals directly. The main ingredients are the bulk of the food.
You also notice the calcium and phosphorus levels. These levels must be different from adult cat food.
Before you go to the pet food store, you must know how to read the label. There are so many tricky marketing tactics in the market. The Small Animal Veterinary Association released some useful veterinary guidelines. You can read those guidelines to know the rules of reading a label, how to evaluate nutrition information on the internet, and How to choose pet food.
So, don’t be puzzled. Check the main ingredients; they shouldn’t be animal by-products.
I always recommend buying food that has an AAFCO certificate for the USA and The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
You also can ask your veterinarian to choose the best food for your kitten. As every cat is different, and their needs are also different. So, your vet is your best friend to choose food for your tiny kitty.
The transition of your kitten to a new food:
Any transition should be executed gradually. If you do it abruptly, then it can show side effects. So, if you change your kitten’s food fully quickly, it can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, loss of appetite, and so on.
So, first two weeks you should provide the new food only 25% and the old food 75%. Wait and observe your cat. If he likes the new food, then increase it to 50%. Then gradually, 75% to 100%.
If your kittens don’t like the new food, then ask your vet to give them a new recipe. If you notice that your kitten refuses the new recipes, then stay with the old food.
Wet VS Dry kitten food:
Look, the food of the kitten will be wet or dry-it totally depends on your kitten’s choice. Usually, kittens like wet food as the food is soft and easily chewable. Besides, kittens are not fond of drinking water. So, wet food is a good choice for them.
But as kittens are used to having food several times a day with a few nibbles, you should also leave some dry food in the daytime. If you serve wet and dry food, it can decrease the chances of being picky eaters for your kitten.
The vet-approved commercial food for kittens:
There are so many brands in the market. All brands are vet-approved. I have sorted out some brands for my readers to help them to choose the best commercial food for their kittens.
Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Prime (Best Kitten Dry Food) Review
It contains DHA- a very important omega-3 fatty acid. The dry kibbles are very much nutritious, highly digestible, and support the immune system. The main ingredient is chicken which is a very good source of protein.
Ingredients:
Protein- 40%, fat-18%, moisture-12%, chicken flavors.
Item weight: 28.35 grams (0.63 ounces).
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey and Chicken Liver Recipe Canned Food Review
A real chicken meal containing DHA (Omega-3 fatty acid) and probiotics. So, it is supportive of digestion and a strong immune system.
Ingredients:
protein-12%, moisture-78%, fiber-1%, fat-6%.
Item weight: 3 oz.
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Royal Canin Feline Health Prime (Best Overall) Review
It is a wet food made with thin slices with gravy. A perfect formula for kittens with sensitive stomachs and better new food for the kittens who are transformed from their mother’s milk to new food.
Ingredients:
protein-11%, fat-3%, moisture-80%, chicken flavored.
Item weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 Kilograms).
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Instinct By Nature’s Variety Kitten Grain-free Real Chicken Recipe Review
The first ingredient of this recipe is chicken. It also contains Salmon fish oil as DHA. DHA is a very important omega-3 fatty acid that is helpful in brain and eye development.
It also contains low carbohydrates. However, the formula is more expensive than other brands but offers very good nutrients.
Ingredients:
protein-12%, fat-6%, fiber-1%, moisture-78%.
Item weight: 3 oz
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH KITTEN PRIME (The best affordable food for kittens).
I AMS has an excellent nutritional profile with Taurin which helps in visual development, natural fibres and prebiotics for digestion, omega-3 fatty acid for eye and brain development, and vitamin E to support the immune system.
AMS’s main concentration is in its affordability. It is available at an affordable price with highly qualified and nutritionally dense pet food.
Ingredients:
protein-31%, fat-21%, moisture-10%, and chicken flavors.
Item weight: 7 pounds (3.16 kg).
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Small Fresh Ground Other Bird Review
The main ingredient of Small is Turkey- the single source of high protein. It also contains turkey liver and 3 plant ingredients, and Canola-the only fat source. It is a highly moisturized food that hydrates your kitty’s body. A little bit expensive but made with human-grade ingredients and preserved at a frozen temperature.
Ingredients:
Protein-16%, moisture-72%, fat-8.5%, fiber-1.5%.
Item weight: 11.5 ounces.
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Applaws Natural Tuna Fillet Prime (The Best Wet and Dry kitten food) Review
A great mixture of wet and dry food. You can easily understand that the main ingredient is tuna. It is made with high-quality and ethically sourced ingredients. Additionally, salmon fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Ingredients:
protein-13.5%, moisture-82.4%, fat-2%, tuna and rice flavored.
Item weight: 2.47 ounces (70.02 grams).
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
The Honest Kitchen Grain-free Chicken Pate Wet Cat Food Review:
The Honest Kitchen prepares, cook, and transport cat food according to human standard. So, if you prepare human standards for your cat, then The Honest Kitchen is an ideal option for you.
Chicken meat is the main ingredient of the food. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids essential for your kittens’ brain and eye development.
Ingredients:
Protein-10%, moisture-78%, fat-6.5%, fiber-1%.
Item weight: 5.5 ounces.
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Prime (The Best Kitten Wet Food) Review
The kittens like the silky and smooth mousse. It is not only delicious but also very nutritious. The primary ingredient of this formula is real chicken. Other ingredients are fish oil, chicken liver, and vitamins (A, D, and B12) essential for normal growth and development.
The mousses are suitable for any breed and full of moisture and protein. It is also low in carbs and free from any synthetic elements.
Ingredients:
Protein-10%, moisture-82%, and chicken flavour.
Item weight: 2.8 ounces (79.38 grams).
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Open Farm Kitten Grain-Free Dry Cat Food Review
The formula has 4 animal-souced proteins- Chicken, turkey, ocean white fish, and herring. Salmon oil contains omega-3 fatty acid, the best source of animal fatty acid. It also contains pumpkins which are a great source of fibre. It helps to digest food and cranberries to support urinary tracts.
Keep in mind that dry kibbles can’t fulfil the needs of water and moisture. So, you must provide wet food and the formula so your kitten can get enough moisture from its food.
Ingredients:
Protein- 40.5%, fat- 19.5%, fiber-1.35%, moisture- 8%, ash-10.79%.
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Turkey Feast Tender Cat Food Review:
The main ingredients are Turkey and turkey liver. Milk by-products and meat by-products. It is not a perfect recipe because it contains natural and artificial ingredients.
Meat by-products are often considered unhealthy, but it is not necessary that they always do harm to a pet’s body.
The inclusion of cow’s milk is another question mark. We all know that another species’ milk is unsuitable for felines.
Ingredients:
protein-111%, moisture 78%, fat-5%, fiber-1.5%, ash-3.5%.
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
Wellness Complete Health Kitten Chicken Entree pate Canned Food Review:
It is slightly cheaper than the Wellness CORE Recipe that is described in No. 2 of the list. The biggest flaw of this formula is its carbohydrate content. It contains 18.18% of carbs. We see in other brands that contain single-digit carbs.
However, it also contains menhaden fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is the best for cats’ brain and eye development, and very dense calories for energy and muscle development.
Ingredients:
Protein-11%, moisture-78%, fat-6%, fiber-1%.
Item weight: 3 oz.
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
James Wellbeloved Dry Kitten (Best Sensitive Stomach Kitten Food) Review:
A natural ingredient-based food. It is free from beef, pork, wheat, soya, and dietary products responsible for sensitive stomachs. So, choose the James Wellbeloved formula if your kittens have a problem.
The formula’s main ingredient is turkey, free from artificial colours, preservatives, and flavours. The formula is suitable for kittens from weighing to 12 months of age.
Ingredients:
Protein 33%, fat 21%, turkey and rice flavours.
Item weight: 3.53 ounces (0.10 grams).
Price: Check on Amazon and other e-commerce sites.
So, choose and purchase according to your kitten’s choice, needs, and the veterinarian’s advice.
Vet-approved homemade kittens food recipes:
Commercial kitten food is awesome and can fulfill your kitten’s needs and requirements. But if you want to control the ingredients going to your kitten’s body, save money, and have enough time and energy to make food for your kittens, then there are so many homemade kitten food.
I am sharing some homemade recipes for your kitten. All recipes are vet-approved, but you must check these recipes with your vets before you apply those until you get a commercial formula:
Recipe no.1:
Ingredients and quantity:
Skimmed milk- 70 grams.
Low fat card-15 grams
Lean beef hash-8 grams
Egg yolk-3 grams
Vegetable oil- 3 grams
Lactose-0.8 grams
Vitamins-minerals mixed-0.2 grams.
Making process:
- Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients together.
- You know that food should be intake according to 100 grams of the cat’s body weight. So, first, you must provide 18 ml of food for your kittens with 100 grams of body weight. If you notice that your kitten is not gaining weight, then increase the amount gradually.
- Once the recipe is prepared, keep it at room temperature to cool. After that, keep it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Then it is ready to serve your kitten.
Before serving, warm the recipe in an oven because you know that bacteria love to grow in milk and milk replacers.
4. If your kittens dislike the recipe, you may shift to other recipes.
Note: the curd must not be cottage cheese. Cottage cheese makes clots in the kitten’s stomach.
Recipe no.2:
Ingredients and quantity:
Egg- 1
Protein supplements- 25 grams
Condensed milk-17 ml
Corn oil-7 ml
Water-250 ml
Making process:
Same as the no.1 recipe. Mix all the ingredients and let it cool for 1 hour. Then refrigerate it for 24 hours. After that, serve it to your kitten 18 ml for their per 100 grams of body weight. If the weight is resting, then gradually increase the amount of food. You warm the food before serving so that bacteria can’t grow up.
Raw homemade kitten food recipes:
Cats and kittens are obliged carnivorous. The wild cat’s only recipe is raw food. That means raw meat from animals like birds and other small animals. Some cats are expert swimmers. So, they also can catch fish for their lunch. So you can easily provide raw food to your kittens.
Here are some raw food recipes:
Chicken and salmon-based raw cat food recipe:
Ingredients and quantity:
Chicken liver- 50 grams
Beef kidney-50 grams
Water- as needed to make a puree
Egg with crushed shell-1
Chicken heart-100 grams
Bones- 700 grams ( for phosphorus and calcium)
Salmon with bones- 100 grams
Taurin-1 teaspoon. (Taurin is important to get rid of cardiac death.)
Making process:
You need a blender or grinder with a very good quality. So, blend them all and make a paste of raw ingredients.
Now divide them into airtight containers with the amount of ⅔ days food of your kitten and refrigerate it for 24 hours. The rest food should be kept in the fridge for later use.
Notes: you must thaw the raw food for ⅔ hours before serving, as no animal likes to eat cold food. First, serve it in small portions, such as 25% raw food and 75% of regular food. If you like the raw food, then increase the food amount gradually.
How to and how often feed a kitten?
- Make a Vet-approved good recipe or purchase an AAFCO-approved formula first. The ingredients must follow the recipe if you make the food at home.
- Use a bottle to feed your kitten as they are unable to eat themselves. Some kittens are fussy about bottle-feeding. So, use different shapes and colours of bottles to feed them.
- Feed a newborn kitten after every ⅔ hours, even at night time; otherwise, the blood sugar level of the kittens will be decreased, and it is very dangerous for them. As they grow up, they start taking food in large amounts and fewer times, but till then, the kittens should be fed frequently with a few nibbles. If the kittens are sick, the same feeding schedule should be followed.
4-8 weeks, you should feed at least 4 times per day.
8-6 weeks, in this stage, feed your kittens 4 times daily, but the feeding amount must be distributed equally between the 4 times.
16 weeks-6 months, your kittens require 3 meals per day, which should be divided into 3 times.
6-12 months, your kittens need fewer calories than before at this stage because the growth of your kittens slows down at this stage. 2 times meals are perfect at this stage, and the amount will be divided by 2. Your vet can advise yours better in this matter.
- Stimulate to urinate and defecate your kittens after every meal. The mother cat licks the bladder and bowels to stimulate to urinate and defecate the kittens. You can mimic them by rubbing them in those areas. They must urinate after every meal and defecate daily 1 or 2 times.
- Lastly, you must monitor the growing and feeding of your kittens. Measure your cat’s weight every week. Each kitten should gain a weight of 100 grams per week, and very small and sick kittens should gain a weight of 7 grams daily.
How much should I feed my kittens?
The feeding amount depends on your kitten’s age, body weight, and activity level. Usually, the feeding amount should be 18 mg per 100 grams of body weight. Besides, you can ask your vet about the feeding amount.
When should you stop feeding kitten food to your kittens?
Cat’s kittenhood lasts till 12 months or 1 year of age. At this age, kittens become young cats and can eat adult food. So, you should stop feeding kitten food to your kittens at 12 months or 1 year.
Can kittens be fed a variety of food?
The answer is simple: kittens can be fed various food, but the change should be slow. Any abrupt change in food can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. So, always ask your vet before adding wet/raw/dry food to your kitten’s food. Slowly introduce them to new food.
