As you welcome a new kitten to your home, you may be feeling excited for the journey ahead. However, you may also have a lot of questions—like “What is the best food for kittens?” or “Is it better to feed kittens wet or dry food?”.
Asking yourself these questions early on puts you on the right track to providing excellent nutrition for your kitten’s crucial first year of development.
In this complete guide by Sploot Veterinary Care, we talk about helpful tips on feeding your kitten and give examples of some of the best kitten food in the market.
Overview:
- Kittens need AAFCO-approved kitten wet food and/or dry food until 12 months of age.
- Kittens can be fed either water-softened kibble or kitten wet food at 3-5 weeks. Dry kibble and/or kitten wet food can be given at around 6 weeks of age.
- Because cats are generally at risk of dehydration and urinary issues, wet food or hydration supplements may be beneficial.
What is The Best Food for Kittens?
The best food for kittens is an AAFCO-approved kitten food, recommended by your veterinarian. The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) sets the standard for optimal pet nutrition, based on decades of scientific studies.
Using the recommended portions of high-quality AAFCO-approved kitten food helps ensure that your kitten is provided with all the nutrients they need. However, vets may also recommend additional kitten supplements if needed.
Note: Schedule a kitten exam to determine the best kitten food for your pet. Kitten exams are more than a full physical exam—they are also a chance to get personalized advice regarding nutritional challenges, kitten socialization, cat vaccination schedules, and other aspects of their health.
Is It Better to Feed Kittens Wet or Dry Food?
Kittens can be fed dry food, wet food, or a combination of both. Here are the advantages of each, along with some helpful tips:
Dry Kitten Food Only
Feeding your kitten dry food only has the following benefits:
- Ease of storage (no refrigeration required)
- Easy to clean up after feeding or if spilled
- Generally more cost-effective
- Can be easily softened with moisture for kittens 6 weeks and younger
Main disadvantages: Dry kitten food is not appealing to all kittens. In addition, sticking to dry food only may increase the risk of dehydration in cats even further. Vets may recommend cat supplements for hydration for dry-food-only diets to help prevent urinary conditions that are common in both female and male cats.
Wet Kitten Food Only
Feeding your kitten wet food only has the following benefits:
- Generally more palatable, great for kittens that are picky eaters
- Softer than kibble—no need to add water for kittens less than 6 weeks of age
- Provides added hydration, especially beneficial for cats
Main disadvantages: Wet kitten food is generally more costly than dry kitten food. This kind of pet food would also need to be refrigerated after opening the can to prevent spoiling.
Combination of Dry & Wet Kitten Food [Mixed Feeding]
Another option is to combine dry and wet kitten food, also known as ‘mixed feeding’. This provides the benefits of both types of kitten food. Though combining can be beneficial, alternating between dry and wet kitten food is generally NOT recommended as kittens may become confused by such changes.
Note: We recommend consulting a vet to find a balance between dry food and canned wet food that best provides your kitten with their daily nutritional needs.
Is Cat Food For All Life Stages Good?
Sploot veterinarian, Dr. Sylvia Berns states that all-lifestage food is not typically recommended for kittens. She explains: “The nutritional needs for fat, calories, vitamins, and other nutrients vary across different life stages. For this reason, we typically recommend kitten-specific diets, as they are designed to support optimal growth and development in kittens.”
Best Kitten Wet Food (Canned Kitten Food)
1. Royal Canin® Feline Health Nutrition™ — Stage 2 & 3
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- One of the best kitten wet food targeted for different developmental stages, AAFCO-approved kitten food
Royal Canin® Feline Health Nutrition™ offers wet kitten food tailored to a kitten’s stage of development. On the packaging, these are indicated as STAGE 2 and STAGE 3 (4 -12 months old).
Royal Canin® Mother and Babycat (STAGE 2) is for kittens 3 weeks to 4 months old. This balanced formula contains easy-to-digest proteins, DHA for brain development, antioxidants for cellular health and immune support, and prebiotics to strengthen the kitten’s gut. In addition, its soft consistency makes it easy to eat for a young kitten’s small jaw.
Meanwhile, Royal Canin® Kitten Loaf in Sauce is one of their STAGE 3 kitten foods, formulated for kittens 4 months and older. This formulation supports the increasing energy needs of kittens as they grow older—while also continuing to boost their immune system and support bone-and-muscle growth. Lastly, its savory flavor and appealing texture make it extra appealing for older kittens.
2. Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Sensitive Stomach & Skin — Salmon & Vegetable Stew
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- One of the best kitten wet food for sensitive stomachs and gas, for kittens from weaning and up,, AAFCO-approved kitten food
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Sensitive Stomach & Skin is recommended for kittens—weaning up to 12 months old. Its unique formulation provides a great balance of nutrients and digestible ingredients that help prevent digestive issues.
This canned kitten food also contains high-quality protein for muscle growth, DHA for brain development, and vitamin E and Omega 6 for healthy skin and coat. Last but not least, the flavor and aroma of salmon is naturally appealing to most kittens, ensuring that bowls are empty and stomachs are filled.
3. Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Healthy Cuisine — Roasted Chicken & Rice Medley
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- One of the best kitten wet food for overall health, for kittens from weaning and up,, AAFCO-approved kitten food
Hill’s Science Diet® Kitten Healthy Cuisine is a premium wet food specially formulated to support the growth and development of kittens—weaning up to 12 months old. It contains DHA for brain development, vitamins C & E to support the immune system, high-quality protein for muscle growth, and prebiotic fibres to support your kitten’s gut health.
This canned kitten food delivers a delicious, tender texture and savory flavor of chicken that kittens love, all while providing essential nutrition for their growth and development.
B. Best Dry Kitten Food
4. Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Sensitive Stomach — Skin Salmon & Brown Rice
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- One of the best dry kitten food for sensitive stomachs and gas, for kittens from weaning and up, AAFCO-approved kitten food
Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Sensitive Stomach is specially formulated to support the unique nutritional needs of kittens with delicate digestive systems. It is recommended for kittens from weaning up to 12 months of age.
Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Sensitive Stomach contains easily digestible ingredients that is gentle on the stomach. This canned kitten food is enriched with DHA for healthy brain development, vitamin E and Omega 6 for skin and fur nourishment, and high-quality protein for muscular health.
This kitten food also boasts a naturally appealing aroma of salmon and delicious taste to ensure that kittens enjoy mealtime.
5. Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Indoor Feline
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- One of the best dry kitten food for indoor kittens, for kittens from weaning and up, AAFCO-approved kitten food
If you’re looking for kitten food that is formulated for your to-be indoor cat, Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Indoor Feline is an excellent choice. It is suitable for kittens from weaning through 12 months of age.
Hill's Science Diet® Kitten Indoor Feline offers a precisely balanced nutrition that supports the growth of kittens with an indoor lifestyle. It contains DHA for a healthy brain, vitamin E and Omega 6 to nourish the skin and fur, and high-quality protein to support muscle development.
Lastly, this dry kitten food has a delicious chicken flavor and the optimum kibble size to ensure the best dining experience for your feline friend.
6. Royal Canin® Feline Breed Nutrition™ — Kitten
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- One of the best dry kitten food for pure-breed kittens, for kittens from weaning and up, AAFCO-approved kitten food
Looking for kitten food that will cater to your pure-breed kitten’s needs? Look no further than Royal Canin® Feline Breed Nutrition™. This line of dry kitten foods by Royal Canin is formulated for the health sensitivities, growth requirements, and coat length for various cat breeds like Persian, Maine Coon, and more.
In addition, these dry kitten foods take into account the breed’s jaw anatomy, ensuring that the kibble is the optimum size and shape for the breed.
Final Reminders on Choosing the Best Kitten Food & Vet Care
The above lists of the best dry kitten food and best kitten wet food are great starting points in finding the best kitten food for your fur baby. However, we always recommend consulting a vet about your kitten’s nutritional needs and other health concerns.
A vet can help you select the best kitten food (or a mixture of kitten foods) that will provide the right balance of nutrients for your kitten’s needs—while also helping you navigate possible challenges like malnutrition, food sensitivities, or allergies in cats.
If you haven’t brought your kitten to the vet yet, schedule a kitten exam today! Kitten exams help you lay the foundations for great health—with a full physical examination and guidance on cat vaccination schedules, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and other important kitten care tips.
Get Complete Kitten Care at Sploot Vets
Sploot Veterinary Care offers all-in-one vet care for your kitten. Whether you need routine care for your kitten or you’d like to consult our vets regarding other health concerns, we’re always here to help!
In addition, our Fear Free certified medical team, we will help your kitten develop a positive association with vet visits—which is crucial during their early developmental stages.
Experience next-level vet care in our convenient clinic locations. Our modern veterinary clinics are open for extended hours, 365 days a year (including holidays!) You can easily schedule an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app.
