Juvenile kitties require an excellent balance of proteins and fats to help build and develop their tissues and organs and hasten the development of their brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These structures are crucial as they play a role in developing their reflexes, something that all cats are expected if they want to survive.

More importantly, kittens need high-calorie food from animal protein-rich, not carbohydrate, sources. Good nutrition starts from kittenhood, just as optimum nutrition starts from babyhood in humans. For this reason, we embarked on a quest to find out the ten best kitten foods for your cat, so you’ll be more empowered to look after their optimum growth and development. After all, you are their parent now.

A Quick Overview of 10 Best Kitten Foods

Editor's PickProduct NamePriceRating
Best OverallWellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free Buy on Amazon4.6
Runner UpInstinct Kitten Grain-Free OriginalBuy on Amazon3.6
Best SplurgeWellness CORE Classic Pate Kitten FoodBuy on Amazon4.5
Best CannedBlue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Entrée Pate Wet FoodBuy on Amazon4.5
Best GourmetFancy Feast Kitten Tender Ocean WhitefishBuy on Amazon4.7
Best for Vision DevelopmentPurina Pro Plan Focus Kitten FoodBuy on Amazon4.5
Best For Sensitive StomachHill's Science Diet Indoor Kitten FoodBuy on Amazon4.7
Best DryWellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten FormulaBuy on Amazon4.3
Budget PickPurina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat FoodBuy on Amazon4.7
Best High ProteinBlue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Kitten FoodBuy on Amazon4.8
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

1 Best Overall: Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free

Best Overall: Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free
Key features:
  • Brand: Wellness
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Natural Flavor
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken
  • Calories: 97 kcal/can
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

You will love the Wellness Natural’s Complete Health Kitten Formula’s excellent combination of chicken meat, liver, and broth blended into one appetizing pate that your juvenile feline will love. Considered as the best cat food for kittens, the Kitten Formula of Wellness Complete provides exceptional levels of moisture plus the right amounts of proteins and fats.

Its low-magnesium preparation should help ensure your kitties’ optimum immune and urinary system functioning while the additional taurine can help provide for better eyesight as well as cardiovascular apparatus. It comes in grain free formulation so you don’t have to worry about upsetting your feline’s tummy. The Wellness Natural Complete Health Kitten Formula is the best wet kitten food for supporting its rapid growth and development. Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula is one of 5 recipes included in our review of the Wellness Cat Food.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Guar Gum, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.

What others say about it:
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My kittens LOVE this food. I saw it was recommended by All About Cats, so I got this and the wellness core. They don’t really like wellness core, and most other brands. But this one is a hit! They always enjoy it and lick their plates clean. Highly recommend!

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2 Runner Up: Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Original

Runner Up: Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Original
Key features:
  • Brand: Instinct
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Beef Liver, Chicken Broth, Salmon, Eggs
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken, Beef & Salmon
  • Calories: 103 kcal/3 oz can
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

Containing an amazing blend of top-rate animal proteins like chicken, salmon, eggs, and beef liver, the Nature’s Variety Instinct kitten wet food is predicated on the belief that young felines need a diet that is as close to their original ancestral diet as possible. It is for this reason that Nature’s Variety deemed it important to prepare a certain type of kitty food that will closely resemble what felines feed in the wild.

That is why there’s an excellent combination of poultry, meat, and fish to give your juvenile cat one of the best sources of essential amino acid-complete proteins. This is important for its optimum development and growth. The essential fatty acids are near-perfect ratio, ensuring optimum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as optimum nervous system functioning. The delicious loaf texture of the Nature’s Variety is sure to improve the appetite of your young feline. 

Take a look at our review of Nature’s Variety Instinct Cat Food.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Beef Liver, Chicken Broth, Salmon (Source of DHA), Eggs, Montmorillonite Clay, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3, Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley

What others say about it:
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Only Wet Food My Kittens Will Eat

This is the only wet food my 2 Maine Coon kittens will eat. I’ve tried switching them to other brands but they refuse to eat anything else. They were first fed this food when they were weaned and are now 8 months old. They are very healthy and are thriving in all ways. Our old ginger boy (15 yrs old) also loves this food and is finally putting on weight after being too skinny for a few years as he used to throw up a lot due to IBD.

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3 Best Splurge: Wellness CORE Classic Pate Kitten Food

Best Splurge: Wellness CORE Classic Pate Kitten Food
Key features:
  • Brand: Wellness
  • First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Chicken Meal
  • Primary Proteins: Turkey & Chicken
  • Calories: 108 kcal/can
  • Flavor: Turkey & Chicken Liver
  • Life Stage: Kitten

Your young feline will love this kitten formula that features an exceptional blend of the best tasting protein rich ingredients you could possibly imagine. The Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Canned Kitten Food in an amazingly rich turkey and chicken liver pate preparation provides kittens with a protein-focused diet that is sourced from a combination of poultry and fish. More than two-thirds of its proteins are sourced from premium quality ingredients.

The fish ingredient is what supplies the Wellness CORE its brain-boosting DHA. Other essential micronutrients have been added in the formulation of this kitten wet food and are sourced from a variety of food items including healthy botanicals like yucca and rosemary. All of these ingredients combine to help make sure that your little Garfield grows to become one of the healthiest cats in the hood.

Ingredients:

Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Herring, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Menhaden Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Guar Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dried Kelp, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.

What others say about it:
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I’ve always had cats but this is the first time with kittens!! I knew from my cat experience that starting Amelia and Buster off with the best that I could now would pay off later in their lives. Well the dividends are already coming in: strong appetites, small, firm regular stools with no funny smells, no medical issues at all, wonderful teeth, and the softest coat I’ve ever felt! And its a joy to see them come running when I say, “Kitties, dinner time!”

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4 Best Canned: Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Entrée Kitten Pate

Best Canned: Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Entrée Kitten Pate
Key features:
  • Brand: Blue Buffalo
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken
  • Calories: 102 Kcals/can
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

Adding brown rice, carrots, and sweet potatoes into a primary blend that is made of chicken meat, liver, and broth plus fish and egg may not sound appetizing to you. However, give your kitty the Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Kitten Wet Cat Food and you’ll understand just how palatable this preparation really is. Only wholesome natural ingredients were used in this Blue Buffalo preparation.

Flaked chicken are slow-cooked in special gravy that is so savory you’re actually giving your young felines a real gourmet treat. The chicken pieces are tender and succulent, treating your feline to a diet like no other. Blue Buffalo strongly believes in providing cat nutrition that is as close to the original wild diet as possible. That is why it provided an excellent mix of real ingredients bathed in a sumptuous sauce. Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Entrée Pate is one of 9 cat food recipes included in our review of Blue Buffalo Cat Food.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Brown Rice, Guar Gum Sweet Potatoes, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Salt, Carrageenan, Cassia Gum, Magnesium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols.

What others say about it:
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Appeals to my kitten

My fussy 8-month-old kitten still likes his wet canned kitten food. Unfortunately, the brand he initially ate was unavailable, so we switched. Blue Tastefuls seems to be the best alternative we’ve tried. I like all of the healthy ingredients. He likes the taste. Winner!

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5 Best Gourmet: Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Ocean Whitefish

Best Gourmet: Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Ocean Whitefish
Key features:
  • Brand: Fancy Feast
  • First 5 ingredients: Ocean Whitefish, Liver, Meat By-Products, Chicken, Fish Broth
  • Primary Proteins: Whitefish, Chicken
  • Calories: 85 kcal/can
  • Flavor: Ocean Whitefish
  • Life Stage: Kitten

Every variant of Purina’s Fancy Feast preparation is made only of the highest quality proteins one can expect from a leading manufacturer of doggie and kitten formula. Take for example their Tender Ocean Whitefish Feast. This kitty food boasts ocean whitefish, tuna, fish broth, fish liver, and meat byproducts to give your kitty cat one of the best protein-rich cat food in the world.

The ingredients are finely ground and then finished into one smooth mixture to provide your cat a pate-like consistency. It may not be as saucy as the Healthy Gourmet Kitten, but it sure is super palatable, young cats have been known to devoir an entire can in a single sitting. The formulation is designed to meet the exacting nutritional demands of today’s feline pets so they grow to become healthier.

You may also like our Fancy Feast Cat Food Review.

Ingredients:

Ocean Whitefish, Liver, Meat By-Products, Chicken, Fish Broth, Milk, Egg Product, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Tricalcium Phosphate, Added Color, Guar Gum, Minerals [Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide], Salt, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement], Taurine.

What others say about it:
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I found a stray kitten and wasn’t sure if it was old enough to be away from it’s mom so I tried to feed him this and he loves it. Every time I feed him he attacks it like he’s a piranha. He’s already put on a little weight in the last 2 weeks that I’ve been feeding this to him.

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6 Best for Vision Development: Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Food

Best for Vision Development: Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Food
Key features:
  • Brand: Purina Pro Plan
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Liver, Fish, Meat By-Products, Water Sufficient for Processing
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken
  • Calories: 103 kcal/can
  • Flavor: Chicken & Liver Entree
  • Life Stage: Kitten

The Chicken and Liver Entrée of Purina’s Pro Plan Focus Kitten Classic Canned Cat Food is just one of many variants of the company’s Focus line. It’s filled with great-tasting chicken, fish, and liver, providing your youthful tabby with a variety of exceptional protein sources while ensuring the optimum absorption of essential nutrients as well as essential amino acids.

This kitten wet food is especially designed to cater to the high protein requirements of very young pussycats so that they will have a much brighter future ahead of them. Quite literally, their future outlook definitely looks bright with the addition of taurine in their blend. Plus, the enrichment of the kitty food with phosphorus and calcium simply means your kitty is going to grow up like a pouncing tiger in no time. 

For more information on the brand, check out our Purina Pro Plan Cat Food Review.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Liver, Fish, Meat By-Products, Water Sufficient for Processing, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Calcium Phosphate, Rice, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Added Color, Salt, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide.

What others say about it:
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My kitten loves this food

My 9-month-old kitten loves this cat food. It’s one of his two favorites. It is one of the 3 choices in the Purina Pro Plan variety pack, but he didn’t like the Ocean Whitefish in the variety pack so I now order the Chicken and Liver separately. He put on good weight since birth, so I would think the food is healthy for him. The consistency of the pate is also good. Nice and soft and easy for him to eat.

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7 Best For Sensitive Stomach: Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Kitten Food

Best For Sensitive Stomach: Hill's Science Diet Indoor Kitten Food
Key features:
  • Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Oats
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken, Egg & Barley
  • Calories: 544 kcal/cup
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

You don’t have to look any further if you’re looking for the best kitten food as the young kitty formulation of Hill’s Science Diet, the Indoor Cat Food, is a surprisingly popular juvenile kitty food trusted by many pet owners. Following the same clinical recipe that has made Hill’s Science a trusted name in pet nutrition, the Indoor Kitten is specifically formulated to provide young cats with the most balanced nutrition necessary for their indoor lifestyle.

It’s formulated with DHA for nervous system development and Vitamins C and E for immune system support. The protein content, while lesser than competitors, are easily digestible, allowing these to be used immediately by the young feline. There are no artificial ingredients, too, making this nutritious and delicious meal truly safe for all growing kittens.

Read in-depth Hill’s Cat Food Review.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Oats, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Wheat, Egg Product, Chicken Liver Flavor, L-Lysine, Flaxseed, Calcium Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Fish Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Iodized Salt, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Green Peas, Magnesium Oxide, Apples, Cranberries, Carrots, Beta-Carotene, Broccoli.

What others say about it:
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Our two six week old rescue kittens love this food and are thriving. Since we also use this brand of pet food for our older housecat, our feral cat, and our dog, we decided to stay with Science Diet for the kittens, and it seems to be working out well. Would definitely recommend it.

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8 Best Dry: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Formula

Best Dry: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Formula
Key features:
  • Brand: Wellness
  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas
  • Primary Proteins: Turkey, Chicken & Peas
  • Calories: 497 kcal/cup
  • Flavor: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Deboned Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

Protein-rich is what the CORE series of kitten dry food of Wellness Natural wants it to be known for. And with a protein content of at least 45%, we can honestly say that Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food is right on the money. This is very important since kittens require exceptionally greater amounts of proteins than adult cats do. This is needed for tissue building and the formation of a variety of substances in the feline body.

The Wellness CORE best cat food for younger kitties is also calorie-dense, giving your kitty the much-needed energy it needs to run and play. What’s even amazing is that these calories are primarily derived from proteins and fats and just a few ones from carbs.  This formulation also comes with 90 million CFUs of various Lactobacilli and Enterococci species, making the kitty gut a lot healthier.

Ingredients:

Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Natural Chicken Flavor, Cranberries, Chicory Root Extract, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (added to preserve freshness), Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

What others say about it:
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100% Approved Webster & Bean

My kittens were on the standard Wellness food but started to not finish their meals so I switched up with this version and they love it.

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9 Budget Pick: Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food

Budget Pick: Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
Key features:
  • Brand: Purina ONE
  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Rice Flour, Soybean Meal
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken, Beef & Peas
  • Calories: 462 kcal/cup
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

The most energy-dense kitten dry food in this list, Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Premium Dry Cat Food features a great blend of proteins and fats as well as micronutrients that are crucial to the optimum growth and development of young kitty cats. It comes in a rather crunchy texture which doubles as a dental chew, fully capable of cleaning your feline’s teeth and preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Every cup of the Healthy Kitten Formula is equivalent to 46 grams of lean protein which is primarily composed of real chicken. It does come with chicken byproduct meal but this should not really be a concern since Purina can be relied upon to utilize only the safest internal organs of chicken to include in the byproduct meal. It also comes with fish meal to provide your juvenile cat with the right levels of EPA and DHA for smoother, finer fur. It does come with cereal grains, however. Nevertheless, it provides exceptionally well-balanced nutrition for your kitten. Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food is one of 5 recipes included in our review of the Purina One product line.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Rice Flour, Soybean Meal, Beef Fat Naturally Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Soy Protein Concentrate, Liver Flavor, Soy Protein Isolate, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Caramel Color, Fish Oil, Dried Carrots, Dried Peas, Choline Chloride, Taurine, MINERALS [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K)], L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, DL-Methionine. V415917

What others say about it:
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All my pets, both dogs and cats, have done very well on the Purina ONE brand of pet foods. So when my cats had kittens, this was the formula I wanted them on. The kittens are five weeks old and doing very well. The kibble size is perfect for their little mouths, and they’re digesting it well. I’ve told each of my kitten buyers that I strongly recommend keeping them on this brand until they’re a year old before transitioning them to the adult formula of their choice (though I recommend they continue on with Purina ONE).

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10 Best High Protein: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Kitten Food

Best High Protein: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Kitten Food
Key features:
  • Brand: Blue Buffalo
  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Menhaden Fish Meal
  • Primary Proteins: Chicken, Egg
  • Calories: 457kcal/cup
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Life Stage: Kitten

Deboned chicken is what constitutes the principal ingredient of the BLUE Wilderness Kitten High Protein Grain Free Dry Cat Food. This kitten dry food is rich in proteins that are sourced from a variety of premium quality sources like chicken, turkey, and fish. Flaxseed is also included to provide your cat with ALA while the fish oil is what provides kitties with DHA and EPA.

The Blue Wilderness also comes with healthy grains as well as beneficial botanicals like turmeric and rosemary. Also included are nutritious fruits like blueberries, apples, blackberries, cranberries, and pomegranates. The Wilderness Kitten also feature 5 strains of various beneficial bacteria that help in promoting optimum digestive health so that all of the nutrients present in your kitty formula will be absorbed and utilized by individual cells and tissues. 

Ingredients:

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Peas, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid and ARA-Arachidonic Acid), Pea Fiber, Calcium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Potassium Sulfate, DL-Methionine, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Salt, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potassium Chloride, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

What others say about it:
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Great food for my diarrhea-prone kittens!

Both my kitties have gastrointestinal issues and I had trouble finding food for them to eat since most of the other brands (even pricey prescription gastro kitten food from RC) gave them diarrhea. I am happy to say that their stools are now solid, brown, and don’t stink up the whole room. I definitely believe that this food helped them get rid of it along with some of the supplements I gave them. Their fur is soo soft and shiny and one of the runts I adopted is no longer underweight and at a good weight for his age. I will definitely be repurchasing 🙂

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Best Kitten Foods: Buyer’s Guide & FAQs

If you’ve been wondering what kind of food to buy for the kitten in your home, then you’ve come to the right place. In this section, we’ll be looking at the things you have to keep in mind when buying kitten food. We’ll also attempt to explore your options when it comes to choosing between wet and dry kitten food. And since this is all about your kitten’s nutrition, we might as well take a look at the kinds of food that you should never give to your juvenile feline friend.

dry kitten food

What to Consider When Buying Kitten Food?

It is worth remembering that kitten food has a very different formula to adult cat food owing to their difference in dietary requirements. Most kitten food brands will focus on ingredients that will best support a healthy immune system and proper development during the early stages of their life. So providing the best kitten food for your growing kitten is the best way to ensure they are developing as they should. The following elements should always be considered why looking for the best kitten food brand for your feline friend:

Caloric Content

Kittens generally need a higher caloric content than older cats. This is because kittens are highly energetic creatures that burn a lot of energy throughout the day, running, jumping, and tumbling to their hearts’ content. It takes a lot of calories to fuel such an active life and have enough energy left over to grow properly. Typically a kitten will need 50% of the calories it consumes to fuel its daily activities, with the remaining 50% being used just to grow.

So when shopping for dry kitten food or even wet kitten food, you should always look at the caloric content per serving. If you’re unsure how many calories your kitten should be consuming, be sure to ask your vet for advice to ensure they’re getting the right amount.

Protein Content

Protein is used to help your kitten’s muscles recover and strengthen after a busy day. It also helps to boost their metabolism and burn fat more quickly, as well as promoting healthy blood pressure, stronger bones, even blood pressure, and more constant energy levels. Protein can be found in meat, meat by-products, and meat meals, as well as in plant-based ingredients such as peas. However, plant-based proteins generally lack essential amino acids needed for the physiological function of a kitten and should be avoided as the primary source of protein.

High-quality protein and high protein food is an absolute must for complete and balanced nutrition for kittens, especially as very young kittens transition into much more active little felines. It also caters to kittens’ natural food instincts as a predator species. A good way to know whether a food has prioritized protein is to check the first five ingredients and see how many of them are protein-based. Ideally, as least three of these ingredients should be proteins.

Low Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates can serve as excellent sources for certain vitamins and minerals essential in your kitten’s food. The best kitten food will have a delicate balance of high-quality protein sources and carefully selected carbohydrates. However, some carbs are simply fillers that don’t provide much nutritional value for your feline friend, such as potatoes.

The protein aspect of any kitten food will not provide all the nutrients needed for your kitten’s healthy growth, and so certain carbohydrates derived from fruits and vegetables can be an excellent addition. Introducing vitamins such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A along with many more. A good way to estimate whether a food has low carbohydrates is to go for one with a high percentage of protein. Furthermore, be sure to look for good carbs high in the formula.

Anything Else?

Generally speaking, these three elements cover the key points you should look for when shopping for kitten food. However, as time goes by you will see if your kitten has any allergies or sensitivities you may need to avoid. In which case a grain-free kitten food may be your better option in order to minimize the risk of a reaction and ease digestion. Furthermore, you may find their allergy lies with a specific protein or carbohydrate. It can be difficult to pinpoint a food allergy, but once you know, it makes life far easy for both you and your kitten.

What Type of Food Does My Kitten Need: Wet or Dry?

There are benefits to both wet and dry food when it comes to kitten development. Some kitten parents even choose to mix and match the two kitten foods. But which is better? Understanding the pros and cons of each type of food helps you to figure out what will suit your kitty best.

Wet Kitten Food

Canned food for kittens is not only delicious but does have many beneficial properties worth noting. First and foremost, wet foods insert additional moisture in your kitten’s diet owing to the high water content, making it especially easy to digest, something that a young developing digestive system will thank you for when making the switch from their mother’s milk to solid foods. Not only that but wet kitten foods are specifically designed to suit young kittens whose teeth are still growing in – meaning it is easy to chew.

The downside to wet kitten foods, however, is that wet cat food is lower on nutrients per kilogram than dry foods. The use of gravy to provide the high moisture content means nutritional elements such as vegetables and proteins are more spaced out. So generally speaking it takes a significant amount more of wet kitten food to provide the same amount of nutritional value as dry food. The best wet kitten food will have a good balance of nutrition to moisture. This can be worked out by going for wet kitten food with a lower moisture percentage, meaning more room has been left to be filled with nutritional ingredients.

Dry Kitten Food

Dry kitten foods have the opposite benefits to wet kitten food in that dry food provides a plethora of nutrition in the form of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but it had a very low moisture content. Typically dry food will have around 10% in comparison to the 75+% moisture content of wet food. So as you can imagine, that leaves around 90% of the content to be filled with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This means your developing kitty is getting everything they need to support healthy brain development, muscle recovery, and growth as well as strengthen their immune system. Especially seeing as they will be getting a much denser supply of protein, which for meat-eating animals is an essential element of any diet.

But even as a rich source of nutrition, dry kitten food has its downsides. The low moisture content means your kitten will likely drink more in order to keep hydrated. This also means you need to ensure their water bowl is full at all times so that they can properly digest their food. Even with high-quality ingredients, a young kitten needs as much support as possible when it comes to digestion. Transitioning to solid food can be tricky at the best of times, so it may even be worth adding toppers to your cat’s diet to help make it more palatable (if your kitten is fussy) and digestible. The best dry kitten food will have protein as the first 3 ingredients on the list to prove they mean business.

So Which is Better?

The decision to go with wet or dry food lies entirely with you. You will know your kitten better than anyone, as well as having your own opinions on what you would like to choose. If you’re working with a budget it’s worth noting that wet food is more expensive than dry food as it is the preferred choice for both texture and taste. But where wet kitten food provides moisture but not as many nutrients, dry kitten food is stuffed full of nutrients but lacks moisture. It’s your call.

Check out our reviews of Cat Water Fountains and Water Bowls for Cats.

Can I Feed My Kitten Adult Cat Food?

Experts agree that kittens should only be given a diet that is specifically designed to meet their calorie and protein requirements. As we have already mentioned in the preceding sections, kittens require a lot of these macronutrients to help build tissues so that these will reach mature levels. Once they reach maturity, there really is no need to build additional tissues. What is needed, however, are nutrients that will help maintain the integrity of these tissues as well as repair any damage or injury to such tissues. In effect:

  • Kitten food is geared for building tissues
  • Adult cat food is focused on maintaining body tissues and repairing them if damaged

Given these differences, it is pretty obvious that you cannot feed your kitten with adult food, and you may use a feeder for this. Well, technically you can, but it doesn’t mean that you should. The calorie and nutrient requirements for both life stages are simply different.

What to Avoid Feeding Your Kitten

There are quite a few human foods that are not suitable for kitten consumption. As a result, you should do everything you can to keep this food out of your kitten’s reach – especially when they become little explorers and start going in search of things they shouldn’t have. These foods include:

Vegetables

With vegetables, there are several that are considered highly toxic for both cats and dogs. And for that reason they must be kept out of reach at all times:

  • Onions: Onions contain Allium, a highly toxic substance that can cause red blood cells to rupture resulting in diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
  • Leek & Chive: Leeks and chives also contain Allium and should not be eaten by your kitten.
  • Garlic: Garlic is another member of the Allium family and can cause serious sickness in unsuspecting kittens if consumed.

Fruit

Fruit is not only high in natural sugars but there are certain fruits that contain toxins and acids that can cause an upset stomach or worse. Knowing what to look out for could potentially save your cat’s life:

  • Grapes and Raisins: Grapes are immensely toxic to cats and can cause grape toxicity which results in death in severe cases.
  • Cherries: Cherries are a severe choking hazard and should be avoided.
  • Unripe Tomatoes: Unripe tomatoes as well as the green parts of tomatoes can cause severe sickness and digestive distress.
  • Avocados: The pit and skin both contains persin which can result in cramps, sickness, and diarrhea. Additionally, the flesh is excessively and needlessly fatty for a kitten.
  • Lemons and Limes: These are both extremely acidic fruits that are a common cause of gastrointestinal complications.

Proteins

With proteins, it is not so much a problem of whether your cat can digest them, but rather the concern regarding bacteria that can be found in certain proteins. Some have harmful bacteria build in, whereas others can develop harmful bacteria extremely quickly:

  • Raw Fish: Raw fish is known to go bad extremely quickly and can carry some extremely harmful bacteria. If you give your cat raw fish they should eat it immediately. If it is left, throw it away.
  • Raw Eggs: Raw eggs carry the risk of salmonella which can cause serious gastrointestinal issues.

Other

As well as the typical foodstuffs such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins you might expect a cat to eat, there are also human foods you should be careful to keep out of the way. Cats will eat anything they can get their paws on, so watch out for these:

  • Chewing Gum: Contains xylitol, which can cause liver failure, vomiting, and lethargy.
  • Dairy: Dairy can be difficult for cats to process and cause digestive problems.
  • Coffee: Caffeine is extremely dangerous to cats, potentially causing diarrhea, tremors, vomiting, seizures, even death.
  • Chocolate: Chocolate often contains caffeine as well as containing cocoa powder which can be highly toxic to cats.
  • Nuts: Including; almonds, macadamia, walnuts, and pecans. All are highly toxic and will cause major digestive upset.
  • Salt: Like caffeine, salt is potentially lethal to cats in large amounts and should generally be avoided.

Sources:

  1. Feeding Your Cat, Best Friends Animal Society
  2. Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, 7 Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Growing Kitten Eating Right, Pet Health Network

Frequently Asked Questions:

Each kitten food brand will have a recommended serving amount for your kitten. This is ordinarily based on their weight, so as to ensure the appropriate amount of food for your kitten’s weight class and prevent them from overeating and gaining unnecessary weight that can be difficult to shift.

When they are especially small it would be best to feed them three smaller meals throughout the day. This is because kittens burn a lot more energy than their fully grown counterparts and need to recharge more frequently. This isn’t just energy they burn whilst running around, but generally energy that is used for day-to-day growth and development.

Ideally, no. This is generally because kitten food contains the appropriate caloric density, and nutrition to maintain a growing kitty. Food for adult cats can be lacking in certain nutrients and vitamins such as calcium and magnesium that are intended to support bone growth as well as brain development. They also tend to be lower in protein, which is essential for your kitten’s muscles to recover after an active day.

Eloise Hands

Eloise is the owner of a Malamute/Akita cross, a first-time mum, and an animal enthusiast from England. She comes from a family which has never gone a day without a pet (or 3!), and over the years has learned all the best tips and tricks to raising a difficult pet. A knowledge that she has put to good use, to help others navigate the limitless world of pet care.

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