A little purr settled in the house. And with it tenderness, pranks, a cozy house, a tray, a bunch of toys and a completely logical question - what is the best way to feed a kitten? While the baby tests the durability of the furniture, explores nooks and crannies, and occupies the owner’s pillow firmly and for a long time, its new owner rushes between the market, supermarket and pet store, trying to choose a balanced food in search of the best food for the kitten.
Which food is better for kittens - dry or wet?
Industrial feed is available in two versions - pouches (packaged wet food) and drying (dry granulated food). Newly-made kitten owners often cannot choose what is best to feed their pet.
In fact, even veterinarians cannot come to the same opinion; there is a lot of debate on this matter. Scientists who conducted research on both types of nutrition agreed that there is no fundamental difference between the feeds.
Breeders advise that it is better to start feeding a kitten with wet food, gradually adding a few granules of dry food.
The best food for kittens is a product that does not contain preservatives or dyes, predominantly natural ingredients and contains meat (rather than processed raw materials of animal origin).
How often
The most common question is how many times a day should you feed. Most one-month-old kittens happily eat 6 times a day. Pay attention to your pet's behavior. Does he squeak displeasedly and show concern?
So it’s time to refresh yourself! On average, a kitten will eat 120 grams of food during the day. If he eats less, he may not like the food offered. A viral infection cannot be ruled out. In any case, this is a reason to contact the veterinarian.
By the month of month, night feedings can be removed if the pet sleeps peacefully throughout the night.
External signs indicate that your fidget is happy with life and does not feel hungry:
- the kitten has a dense build, the costal arches are not visible from under the skin, but can be easily felt;
- he is calm and active, does not squeak between feedings;
- mucous membranes are pink-colored and moist;
- light brown decorated chair;
- daily weight gain of about 10 grams.
An approximate feeding schedule looks like this: 6.30, 10.00, 13.30, 17.00, 20.30, 24.00. After a midnight meal, the kitten will be ready to fully rest until the morning.
Economy class dry food
Friskies
Price – 94 rub. for 400 g.
Dry food from Nestle Purina PetCare Compan (USA). One of the most budget products with a poor and unclear composition, which is based on by-products in an unknown proportion. The food attracts with its very low price, constant availability in any mass market and active advertising.
Ingredients: cereals, animal products (unknown parts of chicken), vegetable oils, yeast and plenty of preservatives.
for kittens Friskies
The manufacturer does not indicate the proportions of any of the ingredients, and the strong aroma upon opening the package suggests a high content of flavorings.
Whiskey Special
Price – 106 rub. for 350 g.
Product from Russian. The composition predominates in flour of animal origin, wheat, and poultry. Animal fat, sunflower oil, brewer's yeast.
A good mineral and vitamin complex is declared. The manufacturer does not indicate the exact content of the declared components; one can only guess about the amount of meat in the food.
for kittens Whiskas Special
Owners note that Whiskas acts on cats no worse than valerian, which indicates the use of flavorings.
Purina One
Price from 93 rub. for 200 g.
Purina One is a dry food from Nestlé. According to experts, it is in the middle between the economy class line and premium food.
The manufacturer indicated the percentage of content. In first place is 15-17% meat or salmon content, then, in descending order, wheat (a source of carbohydrates), dry poultry protein, corn, soy flour. Not a bad ratio of useful additives.
for kittens Purina One
Feedback from owners about the food is mixed. But it is considered the best of the entire economy class line.
Purina Cat Chow
Price – 134 rub. for 400 g.
Another product from the Purina line. The composition is slightly worse than in Purina One, so this is a solid economy option.
Cereals come first, without specifying the percentage. Next, 33% of incomprehensible “meat and meat products”, products of processing of vegetable raw materials, proteins and fats.
kitten food Purina Cat Chow
Not the best composition for the health of a pet whose diet should be based on meat.
Stout
Price – from 103 rub. for 300 g.
Russian product from. A very dubious composition, based on bird meal from unknown parts of the bird.
You will be interested in: TOP 10 rating of the best cat food: which one to choose and buy, reviews, price, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages
Carbohydrate sources include wheat, corn and rice, which are not ideal for sensitive gastrointestinal tracts. There are very few vitamins.
kitten food Stout
The food can be used as an infrequent one-time option.
Our Brand
Price – 91 rub. for 400 g.
Also a product from Gatchina KKZ, the quality is worse than Stout. Food based on vegetable protein and poultry meal. Added hydrolyzed liver in an unknown proportion, brewer's yeast and sunflower oil. There are few valuable additives, there is a mysterious antioxidant.
kitten food Our Brand
Experienced owners do not recommend buying dry food in large bags. If stored open for a long time, the granules may deteriorate. The optimal volume is 0.4-1 kg.
Results
IMPORTANT: Many acceptable brands of food for adult cats are not suitable for feeding kittens. This is due to the excessively fatty composition, or the non-disclosure of the protein part. Also, many Mas-market foods contain an unreasonably large amount of grain and corn, and the protein part is not deciphered, or contains bone meal, which is generally contraindicated for small stomachs.
It's up to you to decide what dry food to feed your kitten. Don’t chase popularity or cheapness, a cat is not just a fluffy animal in the house, it is your responsibility from the first days to the very end. A properly selected diet from childhood is the key to a beautiful appearance and good health. Agree, it is better to invest money in quality food than to receive exorbitant bills from the veterinarian due to cat health problems.
Wet economy options
Felix
Price from 19 rub. per bag.
Food from Purina. The composition contains 4% meat components, vegetable protein extracts, an unknown amount of fish, unknown sugars, thickeners, vitamins.
Felix kitten food
The ingredients correspond to the products of a very economical option. The food has a strong odor and dissipates quickly.
Gourmet
Price – from 25 rub. per pouch package, from 35 rub. per jar.
Canned food from Nestlé Purina is produced in pouches and small portioned tin cans.
The composition of the product is almost identical to Felix, but the price is an order of magnitude higher, especially for canned pates. The owners note that kittens love spiders, but most likely this is due to the flavorings.
Gourmet kitten food
Due to its weak composition, the food is not recommended for regular use.
All Cats
Price – from 16 rub. per bag.
Contains 20% minced chicken, 4% meat by-products, an unspecified amount (less than 4%) of fish by-products, vegetable proteins, flaxseed oil. At this ratio, the food is liquid and smells very strongly of fish, which suggests the use of flavorings.
All Cats kitten food
According to reviews from many owners, pets refuse to eat food.
Whiskas spiders
Price from 22 rub. per bag.
The ingredients on the bag are extremely difficult to read. Armed with a magnifying glass, you can make out that the food consists of 45% meat and offal (chicken min. 4%), the manufacturer has classified the rest of the proportions, indicating vegetable oil, cereals, antioxidants, taurine, vitamins, and minerals.
kitten food Whiskas spiders
Feedback from cat owners about these spiders is mostly negative.
Sheba
Pouch price – from 38 rubles.
Wet food for kittens Sheba, from Mars. Manufacturers produce entire collections of Sheba flavors with attractive names, positioning their foods as premium.
But the composition of the spiders is no different from the bags of economy options. The same base of offal, unclear ratio of grains and flavoring additives.
Sheba kitten food
Veterinarians and professional breeders prohibit feeding kittens with economy category food.
Dry food
Josera Kitten Minette
The product is difficult to find for sale on the Russian market; a large volume is brought to order - 10 kg from 3100 rubles.
Josera Minette dry food is produced by the German company Josera GmbH & Co. The manufacturer positions it as a super premium product, but in terms of ingredients it is closer to premium.
The main composition is 33% duck and turkey flour, beef flour, duck fat, rice and corn, chicken protein, turkey liver. Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals.
The composition is not bad, more than a third consisting of animal proteins. The confusing thing is that corn is a cheap source of carbohydrates and not recommended for cats. But, in general, the food can be recommended as the main diet.
kitten food Josera Kitten Minette
Royal Canin
Price from 276 rub. for 400 g.
Line of food from. For kittens, Royal Canin is represented by the Kitten series, which includes:
- Royal Canin British Shorthair – food for the British, 4 – 12 months;
- Royal Canin Maine Coon – for Maine Coon kittens, 3 – 15 months;
- Royal Canin Persian – for small Persians, 4 – 12 months;
- Royal Canin Sterilized – for spayed and neutered babies;
- Royal Canin Mother & Babycat – for kittens of all breeds from 1 to 4 months.
The composition of the feed looks much richer than in economy class feed. Animal proteins (poultry), plant proteins, rice, wheat, fiber, many nutritional supplements. The percentage of ingredients is not indicated.
Royal Canin kitten food
Royal Canin is actively advertised, so it is overpriced. Breeders believe that recently the quality of this brand produced in Russia has dropped significantly.
Eukanuba
Price – 290 rub. for 400 g.
Again a product of Mars Corporation. During the production of food abroad, it belonged to the premium class, now it is a good premium option.
You will be interested in: Rating of the TOP 10 best automatic feeders for cats and dogs: which one to choose, reviews, price, characteristics
The composition contains 86% of proteins of animal origin, from cereals - wheat, rice, barley. Added fish oil, dried egg, a large amount of mineral and vitamin supplements.
Eukanuba kitten food
This is a popular brand in Russia, so the price is not lower than some super premium food. Consumer reviews are mostly positive; veterinarians are not against regular feeding of this food.
Hill's
Price – 280 rub. for 400 g.
A very popular brand of premium food from Hill`sPetNutrition.
The Kitten line is a special food for kittens with chicken, tuna, chicken and vegetables. The composition contains corn, which is allergenic to cats, poultry meal, fish oil, and a basic set of minerals and vitamins.
Hill's kitten food
Owners note that it takes quite a long time for pets to get used to this food. The undoubted advantages include a wide range and availability in any pet store.
Purina ProPlan
Price – from 210 rub. for 400 g.
A product of the American company Purina, produced in Russia, France, Italy. It is declared as a premium class, but the composition let us down: chicken, poultry protein, wheat and rice, corn gluten.
Minerals, aromatic additives, vitamins, antioxidants. The entire composition is indicated without the slightest hint of specifics - how many, from what parts, which ones.
kitten food Purina ProPlan
Because of these nuances, you need to introduce ProPlan into your kitten’s diet carefully, carefully monitoring the food reaction.
Flatazor
Price – 356 rub. for 400 g.
The food is produced by the French company Sopral SA. It is rarely found on sale, the price is an order of magnitude higher than that of similar Russian-made products.
The declared ingredients are animal proteins (35%), cereals, poultry fat, many sources of fiber and a rich content of minerals and vitamins.
Flatazor kitten food
According to reviews, all owners are satisfied with the food, and veterinarians also recommend it.
Matisse
Average price 278 rub. for 400 g.
Manufacturer: Serbian company Farmina Pet Food. The composition already contains specifics: chicken meat - 36%, rice - 20%, fish - 6%, eggs - 4%. Rich vitamin and mineral supplement. Corn is present, which is not good for cats.
Matisse kitten food
This line of food is always available in pet stores, but in this price category you can choose products with a higher quality composition. Overall though, this is a good premium option.
Features by breed
Each cat breed has its own feeding characteristics. Let's look at the nutrition of the most popular purebred kittens - British, fold and hairless breeds. If you are the happy owner of such a pet, you should study their needs in more detail.
British
Kids of this breed grow rapidly and gain weight, and have a stocky build. From birth, British cats and Chinchillas need high-calorie food; their diet should contain about 65% meat and 25% vegetables.
Warning! Vitamin supplements for the British are selected to take into account the increased need for calcium. Products of natural origin Canina and Gimpet have proven themselves well.
The natural blue color of the pet changes with frequent consumption of carrots, liver or kelp. This fact must be taken into account when cats participate in exhibitions and competitions.
Scottish Fold
Scottish Fold
Fold-eared babies up to 3 months of age eat at least 6 times a day. This active baby quickly gets full and begins to feel hungry again. Some breeders note that the more nutritious a pet’s diet, the better their coat looks.
There is an interesting sign: if the Scots are fed cow's milk, then their adjacent ears will “stand up” due to high doses of calcium and the kitten will lose its attractiveness. Of course, this is nonsense. Folding is a genetic feature and has nothing to do with feeding. And the birth of a kitten in a litter with erect ears is simply natural selection.
Representatives of the breed have a congenital tendency to allergies, arthrosis and urolithiasis. When choosing a diet, focus on high-quality food without flavorings or preservatives.
Bald
Owners of Don Sphynxes, Canadian Sphynxes, Bambinos, Dwelfs, Ukrainian Levkoys and other hairless breeds know that their pets have a healthy appetite and are absolutely undemanding when it comes to food. Their weak point is a sensitive digestive system and a tendency to obesity. It is this combination of “a constant feeling of hunger - excess weight” that determines the principles of nutrition for the Sphinxes. You must:
- Ensure a strict feeding schedule without unsupervised access to the bowl.
- Dosage the amount of feed in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Feed your pet for a certain amount of time, taking the bowl away after it expires.
Due to the lack of fur, Sphinxes spend a lot of energy. Their diet should be high in calories and varied. Pets have delicate skin, which requires zinc, B vitamins and polyunsaturated acids to keep it in good condition.
Wet food
Premium pouches and pates are not particularly different from economical options. There is a little more meat content here, but it is still not enough for a complete diet for kittens.
Royal Canin
Price per pouch – from 56 rubles.
As with this brand’s line of dry food, there are many varieties. For British Shorthairs, Maine Coons, Little Persians, standard food for kittens up to 12 months.
Royal Canin kitten food
The composition contains many vague components and little specific data.
Hill's Science Plan Kitten
Price – 70 rub. per pouch
Canned food is produced by the Hills concern (Netherlands and Czech Republic). Contains 27% meat, corn meal (which is very undesirable for the cat family), fish oil, taurine, some vitamins and minerals.
kitten food Hill's Science Plan Kitten
Wet food of average quality, low in meat and high in ingredients of unknown origin. Not recommended for regular feeding.
How to teach a one-month-old kitten separated from its mother to eat on its own
Cow's milk
By the third week of life, a healthy kitten develops a healthy interest in food, because nutrition is one of the basic instincts for the survival of an individual.
All that is required of you is to unobtrusively encourage your pet to become independent, while monitoring its safety.
Start with milk. After dipping your finger, give the kitten the opportunity to sniff and lick it, then gently push the baby's face towards the bowl.
Perhaps he will sneeze or even get his front paws into the milk, this is absolutely normal, because he is still learning. But don't let him see food as entertainment. Accustom your baby to a culture of nutrition from childhood and in adulthood you will get a cat with a balanced character and adequate actions.
After a few days, the kitten will eat on its own, and you can gradually introduce the first complementary foods. First, these should be dishes of a delicate consistency - thin porridge, raw meat pate with broth. Grind harder pieces of food with a blender.
Dry food is the most difficult food for a pet. It is moistened with liquid until the baby begins to eat confidently and accurately.
Super premium food
The best quality balanced diet for a kitten is super premium food.
The composition should contain only natural ingredients: meat, fish, eggs. The use of corn, wheat, animal proteins, dyes and preservatives is prohibited.
The products are expensive and can only be purchased in large specialized stores or veterinary pharmacies. Since this line of food is not advertised, the names are unknown to the general consumer. Top 5 super premium brands:
1st Choice
The average price for 350 g is 280 rubles.
Product of the Canadian company PLB International Inc. For kittens, they produce the Healthy start variety, intended for the first feeding from 2 months.
Ingredients: fresh chicken (17%), chicken flour (17%), chicken and salmon fats, rice, extensive vitamin and mineral complex. Only natural preservatives are used.
The food is available in any pet store and is not overpriced. According to reviews, small portions are enough for kittens to be satisfied, which indicates the high nutritional value of this brand.
Summit
Price – 821 rub. for 1.8 kg.
Canadian brand of Petcurean Pet Nutrition. There is only one species, suitable for domestic cats and kittens.
Contains 3 types of meat - lamb, salmon and chicken. Contains prebiotics and probiotics, natural preservatives, dyes and a rich vitamin and mineral complex. No by-products, corn, or growth hormones are used in production.
Good food with decent composition. Available in many specialty stores.
Dukes Farm
Price 375 rub. for 300 g.
Produced in the UK by GA Pet Food Partners on behalf of the Russian zoo chain Beethoven.
The composition is really good: fresh duck meat - 26%, duck meat flour - 24.5%, rice, fresh salmon, seaweed, cranberries.
Owners recommend this dry food as the best for kittens. Sold only in the Beethoven chain of pet stores.
Leonardo
Price – 380 rub. for 400 g.
Produced in Germany by Bewital petfood GmbH & Co.KG.
You will be interested in: Rating of the TOP 10 best automatic feeders for cats and dogs: which one to choose, reviews, price, characteristics
Contains fresh poultry (30%), dried poultry protein (27%), rice, zooplankton, chia seeds. Corn is present in small quantities.
The food is easily digestible, rich in useful additives, but rare and at a high price. Reviews are mostly positive.
Brit Care
The price of the food is affordable - 235 rubles. for 400 g.
A product of the Czech company VAFO PRAHA with a high content of natural meat.
Contains 40% chicken meat, rice bran and balanced natural nutritional supplements.
Despite the declared super-premium category, the composition still contains small amounts of corn.
Holistic food
This is one of the varieties of super premium food, consisting of 100% natural products. Translated, Holistic means “whole.” Holistics are products of a new generation, high class and in a serious price category.
Acana
Price – 370 rub. for 340 g.
Canadian food of the highest class. The Wild Prairie option is suitable for kittens. Akana contains 75% natural chicken and turkey. There are no grain components, vegetable proteins, or artificial ingredients.
The food is recommended for continuous use. Widely distributed in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies.
Grandorf
Price for 2 kg – 1500 rub.
Grandorf dry food is produced by the Belgian company United Petfood Producers NV. For kittens they offer the “Lamb with Rice” option.
Based on lamb, fresh chicken and brown rice. Contains fiber, beneficial additives and natural antioxidants.
The food is difficult to find in stores; it is in the middle price category among holistic consumers.
Go Natural
Price – from 1176 rub. for 1.3 kg
Manufactured by the Canadian company Petcurean Pet Nutrition.
It is based on high-quality meat ingredients and offal. Does not contain grains. As with all holistic products, the manufacturer uses only natural preservatives.
The food is available at many pet stores. Reviews from owners are mostly good; everyone notes the economical consumption of the product.
The Go line represents a rich assortment of different types of dry food for kittens and cats.
Carnilove
Price – 385 rub. for 400 g.
Czech food from the company VAFO PRAHA sro The manufacturer honestly indicates the composition with the percentage (flour from meat, poultry and fish). The product is grain-free and enriched with a worthy vitamin and mineral complex.
The composition contains cranberries, apples, rosemary. One brand is suitable for kittens - “Healthy Growth”.
Karnilav appeared on sale recently, but has already collected a lot of positive reviews. Considered the best food for British and Scottish kittens.
Farmina N&D
Average price – 380 rubles. for 300 g.
Produced by Farmina Pet Food in Italy, Serbia and Brazil. For kittens, the manufacturer offers grain-free dry food with chicken and pomegranate. Contains chicken fillet, herring, eggs, fatty acids.
The product can be found on the shelves of many pet stores. The owners say that the kids eat Farmina with pleasure and feel good at the same time.
Is it possible to use human baby food?
The mention of newborn kittens always brings a smile. These babies seem just like babies - why not save on cat food and buy regular infant formula? Is this allowed? Let's try to figure it out.
Your pet is an individual with its own characteristics of health, character, and level of activity. The nutritional needs of kittens and newborns differ significantly, although there are often cases when baby food becomes the saving grace in artificial feeding of a kitten.
Infant formula can be used in three cases:
- For feeding kittens – sucklings left without their mother ahead of time. In this case, the powder is adjusted with water to the desired consistency in a ratio of 1:1.5.
- If you have an allergic reaction to cat food or congenital diseases in your pet.
- As a dietary supplement.
Canned meat or vegetable purees should not contain salt, pepper, starch or onions. These components will not be digested in the kitten's body. A one-month-old baby can be offered Agusha baby puree - an inexpensive and high-quality option for feeding small children.
Convenient feeding option
Rating of the best dry food for kittens
| Name | Class | Compound | Average cost and weight of packaging | Advantages | Flaws | Grade |
| Acana | holistic | Chicken, turkey | 370 rub. per package 340 gr. | Very high quality components, economical consumption. | High price | 5,0 |
| 1st Choice | superpremium | Chicken, rice. | 738 rub. per package 903 g. | Convenient packaging, economical consumption, good price. | Not a very large percentage of meat components | 4,8 |
| NOW Natural | holistic | Grain-free With salmon, turkey, duck. | 240 rub. per package 230 gr. | For sensitive digestion, healthy skin, shiny coat. | The granules are too small and the kittens swallow them. | 4,7 |
| Hill's Science Plan Kitten Healthy Development | premium | Chicken and turkey meal, corn. | 280 rub. per package 400 gr. | Affordable price. | Contains allergenic corn. | 4,5 |
| Royal Canin | premium | Proteins of animal and plant origin, cereals, vitamin and mineral complex. | 276 rub. per package 400 gr. | Wide range for different breeds | Poor composition, overpriced | 4,3 |
Top best soft food for kittens
| Name | Class | Compound | Average cost and weight of packaging | Advantages | Flaws | Grade |
| Leonardo Finest Selection Kitten Poultry | superpremium | Minced meat, offal, fish oil | 110 rub. per bag 85 g. | Nutritious feed with natural thickeners | There is no percentage ratio between meat and offal. | 4,9 |
| Applaws | holistic | Tuna, fish broth | 90 rub. per jar 70 gr. | Delicious food, good composition. | Lots of broth in the package | 4,8 |
| Almo Nature | holistic | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, rice, cheese. | 90 rub. per bag 55 g. | Lots of meat, complete composition. | Large, but not dense enough pieces. More suitable for older kittens | 4,8 |
| Hill's Science | premium | Turkey, chicken, pork, corn | 70 rub. per jar 85 g. | Reasonably priced, good percentage of turkey. | Contains allergenic corn. | 4,5 |
| Royal Canin Mother&Babycat | premium | Meat and meat by-products, cereals, dairy products | 100 rub. per jar 200 gr. | Complete food. | Large inconvenient packaging, unknown cereals in the composition. | 4,4 |
Super premium and holistic dry food is the optimal basis for nutrition for a growing baby. It is advisable to use pouches and pates occasionally. Veterinarians strongly do not recommend frequently changing the brand of food!
Norms
Below is a table with a detailed description of food products and the frequency of their consumption by a kitten aged 1 - 1.5 months.
| Product type | Frequency of use |
| Lean meat | daily |
| Fish without bones | 1 – 2 times a week |
| Boiled chicken | 3 – 4 times throughout the week |
| By-products | no more than 3 times a week, liver – 1 time a week |
| Egg yolk | no more than 2 times every 7 days |
| Greens (lettuce, spinach) – mixed with cottage cheese | up to 2 times a week |
| Dairy | every day |
| Vegetable oil (a few drops) | in a day |
| Milk porridge | daily |
| Non-acidic cottage cheese | 3 – 4 times a week |
| Vegetables | several times during the week |
| Fermented milk products | every day, cheese - no more than once a week |
| Cereal porridge | several times over 7 days |
| Fresh drinking water | must be available at all times |
