Kitten Food - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
A kitten is like a cute little whirlwind of fluff and mischief. It takes a lot of energy to pull off all those antics! That's why your new acquisition needs the right kitten food to fuel their adventures.
With hundreds of kitty food brands and formulas to choose from, how do you select the best one for your furry little companion? The research we conduct at Real Indian can help you find a quality kitten food with premium ingredients – one that ticks all the nutritional boxes while still offering good value for money.
In order to provide you with fair and comprehensive reviews, we conduct in-depth research on the products we recommend, consulting experts and gathering data from existing customers. Also, to avoid the possibility of bias, we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Read on for our complete kitty food guide. We'll show you how to choose the perfect formula for your feline friend.
Difference Between Kitten Food and Cat Food
Growing felines have different nutritional needs than adult cats. Here are some of the main differences between kitten food and cat food.
- Protein :
Kitten food has a higher protein content than adult cat food. Kittens should get about 30% of their calories from protein; adult cats should get about 25% of their calories from protein.
- The Relationship between Calcium and Phosphorus :
Growing kittens require a higher ratio of calcium to phosphorus in their food than adult cats.
- Calories :
Kitten food contains more calories, as kittens need to consume up to three times as many calories as adult cats.
- Vitamin A :
The kitten food you choose should contain high levels of vitamin A. Kittens require twice as much vitamin A as adult cats.
- Fat and Amino Acids :
Kitten food should contain higher amounts of various fatty acids and amino acids than adult cat food. This includes lysine and methionine.
Types of Kitten Food
Dry Food for Kittens
- Pros :
Dry kitten food tends to cost less than wet kitten food.
It is easier to feed dry food as it does not spoil as quickly as wet food.
- Cons :
Due to its low moisture content, dry kitten food is more likely to cause dehydration, especially if your cat doesn't drink a lot of water.
Wet Food for Kittens
- Pros :
Wet kitten food helps prevent dehydration and its complications.
As a rule, wet kitten food contains more meat and fewer carbohydrates than its dry counterpart.
Frequent eaters find wet food more appetizing.
- Cons :
Wet kitten food tends to cost more than dry.
Considerations for Selecting the Best Kitten Food
- Vitamins and Minerals
Kitten food should contain all the proper vitamins and minerals to help your feline friend grow strong and healthy.
Most cat foods contain added vitamins to ensure nutritional requirements are met, but kitties should get plenty of vitamins and minerals from the food itself.
- Ingredient Quality
We advise potential buyers to look for kitten food made with high-quality ingredients.
High-end brands often source their meat and other ingredients from North America, which can be an indicator of quality.
Make sure your chosen meal contains whole meats or meat meal instead of animal by-products.
Avoid foods that contain excessive amounts of filler ingredients, such as grains and other carbohydrates. Although carbohydrates have their place, cats are obligate carnivores, so the vast majority of your kitty's diet should be meat.
- Taste
Kitten food comes in a variety of meat and seafood flavors.
Some kitties are extremely fussy and will get into anything that doesn't meet their standards. Others get into almost everything that is put in front of them.
If your fur baby is one of the picky eaters, it may take a bit of trial and error to find a flavor he likes.
- AAFCO Approval
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) puts its seal of approval on some kitten food brands.
If a certain food is labeled with AAFCO approval, it means that based on its nutrient profile, the food must meet or exceed your kitten's minimum nutritional needs.
Some experts say pet owners should select foods that have been approved through actual AAFCO feeding tests, not just nutrient profiles. According to these experts, the trials provide a better idea of how a kitten food performs when fed to real animals.
Tips
Kitten foods should be high in protein, but it is impossible to compare the protein percentage of wet and dry foods. Moist foods contain a lot of water, so the protein percentage may seem low, but the protein content is higher once you adjust for moisture.
It's okay to give your kitty free food, you can leave the food out all day for her to access whenever she wants. Keep in mind that wet food spoils much faster than dry food, and should not be left out for an indefinite period.
You'll know your kitten is thriving on her food if she's steadily growing and gaining weight, has bright eyes and a clean, shiny coat, is active and playful, and has healthy bowel movements.
Avoid kitten foods that list "animal digest" as an ingredient. Since it is made from unspecified animal parts, it is often made up of low-quality ingredients. And because there is no control over its content, animal feed can contain contaminated meats that would not otherwise be considered fit for consumption.
FAQ
Que. How often should I feed my kitten?
Ans. Younger kittens need to eat small amounts frequently. Ideally, you should offer them four small meals a day. Once they reach six months of age, this can be reduced to two larger meals per day. That said, dry food can be left out all day if not eaten in one sitting. Some cats prefer to eat a little at a time, returning to the food later when they are hungry.
Que. Should I go for grain-free kitten food?
Ans. "Grain-free" is a big trend in the pet food industry right now, but unless there's an allergy, there's no reason your kitty's food should be "100% grain-free." Small amounts Grain can provide a good source of carbohydrates and protein, but by no means should grain be one of the main ingredients in your kitty's food.
Que. Is there anything I shouldn't feed my kitten?
Ans. Kittens don't need to eat anything other than their kitty food and maybe an occasional snack. That said, we understand that pet parents often like to share human food when the kitty seems interested. Many human foods are fine for kittens to eat in small amounts, but the following foods should be avoided as they are toxic or not recommended for felines.
Raw eggs, fish and liver
Milk and other dairy products
Onions
Garlic
Chocolate
Coffee, Tea, and other Caffeinated Beverages
Raisins and Grapes
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