Cat Food - Proper Chow for Your Kitten

Kittens will need a kitten food to ensure that they are receiving all of the nutrients they need to grow. Providing your new kitten with proper cat food is crucial to raising your pet. It is not just a matter of dropping some cat food into your pet's bowl and then leaving to go on with your day. There is more to feeding your kitten then this.

Commercially prepared kitten food comes in three varieties - canned (or wet) kitten food, dry kitten food and semi moist kitten food. Many owners feed a combination of canned food and dry food.

In general cats need only four main nutrients. They require a meat based protein, taurine, water and various vitamins and minerals. Kitten food includes all of these just more to give the kitty the necessary energy to grow and be healthy and this is the main difference between cat and kitten food.

Canned Kitten Food

Canned kitten food is generally more expensive than the dry or semi moist variety. It is 50 to 78 percent water and can be fed alone or as a supplement to dry food. When buying canned cat food, avoid buying a brand that contains a lot of added preservatives (the canning process preserves the can's contents, so there is no need for preservatives), and avoid brands listing meat or animal by products as the main ingredients.

It is also a good idea to check the can for a freshness or expiration date. Canned kitten food has less preservatives and additives than dry or semi moist food, and it is the healthiest option for your cat or kitten. However, it cannot be left out in the dish all day. Dispose of uneaten kitten food after 20 minutes, and cover and refrigerate any unused portion.

Dry Kitten Food

When buying dry kitten food, make sure that the first ingredient is meat, not meat by products, cornmeal, or any other type of grain or meal. Check the bag or box for an expiration date. Although dry kitten food has a long life shelf, it will become stale if the bag is left open or if it is not used quickly. Store dry kitten food in an airtight plastic container, and do not buy more than your cat or kitten will eat in a month.
One benefit to feeding your young cat dry kitten food is that you can leave the food out all day (for free feeding) and it will not spoil.

Semi moist Kitten Food

Semi moist kitten food generally is not recommended as a main food for your young cat. High amounts of preservatives are added to it to keep it moist and increase its life shelf. It contains high amounts of chemicals, artificial flavorings, colorings, and sugar.
Some sensitive cats and kittens have had allergic reactions to the chemicals and other ingredients found in this type of food.

The Kitten Diet

The biggest debate amongst cat owners is whether or not they should use wet kitten food, canned kitten food or dry kitten food. The answer is both. Kittens need wet cat food because it contains water. Kittens may not drink enough on a regular basis and the wet food ensures they stay hydrated. The dry kitten food ensures they have something to eat whenever they are hungry.

The kitten’s diet should consist mostly of canned kitten food, as it is more nutritious. Keep track of whether the kitten is on track by weighing the cat on a regular basis. You also do not want to allow kittens to get into the habit of overeating or eating table scraps. Table scraps are high in fat and it also throws off their balanced diet that they receive through their regular food.

Kittens will need kitten food for their first year. At six weeks of age, the kittens should be receiving four small meals per day. At twelve weeks, young cats can have more food divided into three meals. At one, the kittens may be switched to adult food and fed twice daily. Cats are capable of knowing when they are full, so you can leave a bowl out of dry food throughout the day.

Pet owners should feed the mother cat a kitten food to ensure that she is receiving all the necessary nutrients that she needs for herself and her kittens. At week five, the kitten can begin to eat canned kitten food with its mother. The first ingredient on the package should be either chicken, beef or lamb.

Cat Food Shopping

It is very important to choose kitten food that is both nutritional and well-balanced. When looking at food labels, be sure to select for your kittens only ingredients that have protein listed within the first few items. You also must be aware of your cat's health condition. If your kittens suffer from any serious health matters, such as urinary tract infection or hairballs, then be sure to select foods that will help manage these medical issues.

How Much Should Your Kitten Eat

Young kittens are growing at an incredibly fast rate from the ages of eight weeks to approximately six months. Kittens will require a large amount of kitten food to start, which means that they will need to eat a number of times during the day. Kittens that are under six months of age do not have very large stomachs but require a lot of fuel. For this reason it is best to feed your kittens four small meals per day, and provide them with an unlimited supply of water all day long.

The growth rate of your kitten will dramatically start to slow down at around six months of age. At this time you may find your kitten becoming a bit less active. The amount of feedings necessary can also be cut back to around two to three meals per day. At this stage of kitten growth it is also important not to change their food from kitten food to adult cat food. Your cat is still in a growing stage. Your cat will be able to eat adult cat food when they reach a year old.