Everything you need to know about feeding your kitten.
You have a new little cat and he is of course adorable. But do you know that you have to make sure you provide it with a balanced and suitable diet? When should you feed him, and how much to feed him each time? What information should you look for on food labels? Here we answer all these questions and many more, to help you make the best possible choices and best feed the adorable little ball of fur that has just arrived in your home.
Understand the basics
Cats have certain specificities regarding what they can and cannot eat. Below you will find the main information on feeding kittens.
Drinking water easily accessible: your kitten must have constant access to clean drinking water. Clean and refill its water bowl once or twice a day, to add water if necessary and keep it fresh. Your kitten will need to drink more water if she eats mostly dry food (see below). Do not give cow's milk to your kitten, it may have difficulty digesting it.
A meat-based diet: your kitten is not a vegetarian! Cats need meat to survive.
Diet for kittens, not for cats: Since kittens have slightly different nutritional needs than adult cats, it is generally recommended to give them foods specially formulated for them (rather than cat food) until they become adults.
No human food: the food we are used to eating does not contain the nutritional mix suitable for cats. Indeed, some foods consumed by humans can be a real poison for cats (chocolate, foie gras, nuts...).
Finding the perfect diet: what to look for on the label?
Try to find a high quality, perfectly balanced and nutritious kitten food. But what exactly are your kitten's nutritional needs? In fact, all cats need food rich in protein, amino acids (taurine and arginine), lipids and fatty acids (arachidonic acid) and vitamins. However, kittens have higher requirements for proteins, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Food specially formulated for kittens should contain a good balance of these nutrients.
When reading the label of cat or kitten food, here are some things to check:
Source of protein. The protein source should appear first. Look for a specific protein source, such as chicken, salmon, lamb etc., rather than a generic "meat" source.
Another source of taurine. Red meat and poultry are good sources of taurine. But certain organs can also be listed, such as liver or chicken heart, which are a very rich source of taurine.
Source of fat. Look for a clearly identified fat source, such as chicken fat, sunflower oil, or other oils.
Carbohydrates, such as cereals. Kittens don't need grains — like corn or wheat — in their diet, and some of them may have trouble digesting them. However, these ingredients are often used as fillers in cat food and particularly in dry food. You may therefore want to look for foods with little or no grain for your kitten.
How often should I feed my kitten and how much should I give her?
Each kitten is unique and the amount of food needed depends on several factors, including age and activity level. These tips are obviously to be adapted according to the recommendations of your veterinarian which will be adapted to your kitten.
However, it is generally advisable to feed very young kittens (three to six months old) three or four times a day, and reduce this frequency to twice a day when they are over six months old. If you have any doubts, your veterinarian will be able to guide you on the food to bring to your kitten.
As for how much food you should give your kitten at each meal, each packet of kitten food should have instructions. Use these as a starting point and divide the recommended daily amount by the number of meals per day. Remember that if you give your kitten other treats, you need to reduce her diet somewhat in order to manage her overall calorie intake.
It is recommended to give regular habits to your kitten. Choose meal times that can work for you most of the time, and if possible, try to stick to them.
Dry or wet foods
Both wet (canned) and dry foods have benefits. Canned food is about 80% water and therefore allows your kitten to stay fully hydrated. Dry food, on the other hand, is more convenient and can stay in the food bowl longer.
On the other hand, small kittens can absorb moist food more easily. You can therefore give canned or pouch food to your young kitten, whose little teeth are growing, so that he has all the nutrients he needs.
Home-cooked or purchased meals
Home-preparing your kitten's food can have some advantages as long as you decide exactly what she eats and ensure that you only put high quality ingredients in her bowl.
But finding the right balance of foods and food groups (protein, fat, amino acids, etc.) is tricky, and that's what cat food manufacturers have been working towards for years. . That's why we recommend buying quality commercial cat food (especially for a young kitten) to give your kitten all the nutrients it needs.
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