Can kittens have Whiskas wet food

Whiskas Cat Food for Playful Kittens

Having an adorable mouser at home is indeed a privilege and joy, but watching a kitten mature from a tiny bundle of fur to an elegant and charming cat is truly a sight to behold! And although bringing home a newborn kitten is fun, it comes with several new responsibilities to take care of. So, this article discusses some of the most important ways to take care of your newborn kitten.

1. While it is not ideal to separate a newborn kitten from its mother, you must be adequately prepared if you are about to adopt a newborn kitty.
2. Newborn kittens require a soft nest made of absorbent materials to soak up any afterbirth. In addition, it is also important to provide your tiny fur baby with a source of warmth to keep it cozy. Incubators designed for kittens can be really effective in this regard.
3. Although kittens are entirely dependent on their mother's milk for nutrition, you can also consider feeding them special kitten formula using a dropper if the mama cat is unable to nurse them after birth. A mixture of evaporated milk, beaten egg yolk and karo syrup is also an excellent alternative for a kitten's newborn milk.
4. In addition to feeding, caring for kittens also involves burping them, helping them relieve themselves, and even deworming them when they are 1 week old.

How much should I feed my kitten?

In the first few months following birth, kittens show an amazing transformation from being tiny furballs to elegant furry felines. In this period of rapid physical growth and cognitive development, it is not surprising that kittens require a tailored nutritional requirement with adequate caloric intake to support their growth.

In addition, a kitten's diet has substantial influence over its social development and temperament. So, it is extremely important to offer them a balanced diet with the right balance of nutrients during the growing months.

Although in their infancy kittens are entirely dependent on their mothers' milk as the primary source of nutrition and moisture, it is not long before kittens start teething and can be gradually transitioned to solid foods and water. In fact, feline fur babies as young as 6 weeks of age begin their weaning period and must be accordingly introduced to solid Whiskas cat food, home-cooked meals and delicious treats.

While commercially available wet and Whiskas dry cat foods are the best alternatives to home-cooked meals, it is important to know how much Whiskas cat food should be offered to a kitten.

Wet Cat Food

Whiskas wet food is easily the most preferred choice when it comes to feeding kittens. Not only is Whiskas wet food rich in nutrients like animal protein and fats, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, but it also contains sufficient amounts of moisture to keep your furbaby well-hydrated all day long.

Initially, kittens over the age of 6 weeks can be fed Whiskas wet food in small amounts, and the quantity can be gradually increased to 4 to 7 servings as they gradually grow up.

Dry Cat Food

Most working cat parents are unable to stay back home regularly to cook nutritious meals for their adorable ball of fluff. So, Whiskas dry cat food is the next best alternative when it comes to feeding kittens. Kittens between the age of 6 to 12 weeks can be fed almost 1/3rd of a cup of dry cat food every day, and older kittens can be given almost 1 entire cup of Whiskas dry cat food.

Important Kitten Nutrition

A balanced diet with sufficient calories and nutrition is extremely vital for kittens in their growing period since they need specific nutrients to support their growth.

Before we move on to discussing how we can choose a high-quality Whiskas kitten food to support your feline munchkin, here is some beneficial information on the nutrients cats need for their transformation into adulthood.

Usually, mama cats are responsible for seeing their kittens through the weaning period when they start teething. Once weaned, growing kittens can be gradually transitioned to high-quality Whiskas kitten food that is rich in essential nutrients as follows:

Protein

Kittens, like cats, are obligated carnivores whose natural diet majorly consists of animal derivatives like protein, fats and fatty acids. Digestible protein in Whiskas wet cat food serves as the building blocks for kittens in their growing period.

Additionally, kittens are dependent on animal protein as a vital source of amino acids, such as arginine, lysine and methionine that support rapid physical development.

Fats and fatty acids

Animal fat and fatty acids are also essential for maintaining rapid growth, and keeping up eye and fur health.

Taurine and choline

An everyday intake of taurine and choline is required by adult cats as well as kittens to maintain all vital bodily functions and cognitive growth.

DHA

Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA is present in fatty fish, such as salmon, and is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that benefits kittens with improvement in brain functions and vision.

Vitamins and minerals

Although kittens require various vitamins and minerals in limited quantities, they are still essential for complete physical growth and muscle mass. In fact, kittens require a significantly higher intake of Vitamin A, and minerals like copper, magnesium and iodine than adult cats to support their rapid transformation.

Calcium and phosphorus

Growing kittens require a limited, yet necessary amount of calcium and phosphorus in their diet to help with their bone and teeth development.

How to Select a High-Quality Kitten Food?

As responsible cat parents, we are always looking out for a balanced diet for our growing kitties. So, when it comes to selecting high-quality Whiskas kitten food, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Choose a high-caloric meal such as the Whiskas wet cat food for your growing kitten, since they have a higher caloric requirement to support an energetic lifestyle, playtime kittens and rapid physical growth.
2. If you are introducing Whiskas dry cat food to your kitten for the first time, you may opt for a delicious mixture of canned Whiskas cat food and dry kibbles.
3. Pay close attention to the Whiskas kitten food of your choice. High-quality Whiskas kitten foods prepared from fresh ingredients contain all essential nutrients without any added chemical preservatives.

How much to feed a kitten?

A kitten's dietary requirements depend on their age, breed, lifestyle. Although growing kittens require a higher caloric intake than adult cats, it is important to ensure that your kitten is not overfed, as it might cause feline obesity.

A kitten over the age of 6 weeks might require rd to th cup of dry or Whiskas wet cat food every day, which can be gradually increased as they grow.

Why do cats play with their Food?

These wonderful furry felines never fail to keep us entertained by their silly antics and playing with food is one of them. But do you know that playing with food is actually an instinctive response in cats that stems from their predatory nature?

1. Most cats choose to poke and prod at their food instead of tucking in immediately, leaving you to wonder why my cat plays with his food? Odd as this may sound, this is actually a strong hunting instinct in cats, considering in the wild, cats rely on their predatory nature to hunt down prey for food.
2. Playing with their food is an instinctive response in cats that allows them to figure out that their potential prey is healthy and fit for consumption.
3. Cats and playful kittens are opportunistic hunters, and insist on playing with the prey to tire out the prey, making them less likely to retaliate or escape.
4. Additionally, playing with food allows cats and playful kittens to stimulate their senses. Housecats often tend to play with their food as a natural urge to relieve their boredom, and even stimulate their predatory nature.

How to cut down on the food play?

Although watching a cat play with its Whiskas cat food is extremely amusing to watch, playing with food can often result in wastage of food and even lead to messes that need to be cleaned up. Furthermore, playing with food can also increase the risks of contamination, exposing your feline munchkin to the risk of intestinal disorders.

As a result, most cat parents actively look out for ways to prevent cats from playing with food. If you are a cat parent looking for a quick fix to the issue of my cat plays with his food, here are some effective points to let them know it is not playtime kittens:

1. Wetting the Whiskas cat food in water or broth can be an efficient way of discouraging cats from swatting at their food. Cats rarely wish to get their fur wet, and adding more moisture in the Whiskas wet cat food can help cut down on the food play.
2. If you want to cut down on the food play without discouraging your playful kittens behaviour, you can also consider getting interactive puzzle bowls that can keep your fuzzy furball entertained.

Feed Your Cat The Right Serving Size

It is important to make sure your kitty receives meals that are well-balanced and provides the right amounts of calories without making them gain too much weight. The amount of food a Whiskas kitten can be safely fed is usually decided by its breed and age, as well as its lifestyle. Read on to find out how much food can be given to newborn kittens in their growing stage.

1. As playtime kittens turns 5 to 6 weeks of age, it starts teething, and must be weaned to transition from drinking mother's milk to eating solid cat food.
2. Once your kitten has successfully shifted to eating solid food, it must be given a lot of nutrients that help enhance their physical and cognitive development. In fact, growing kittens must be given high-caloric meals such as Whiskas wet food more frequently than adult cats to support their growth.
3. Once your kitten has turned 6 weeks of age, it must be fed high-quality Whiskas kitten food at least once every 5 to 6 hours. Older kittens over the age of 4 to 6 months also require high-caloric meals and can be fed up to a cup of dry Whiskas kitten food.

Age	Weight	Weight
6 weeks	300 gms to 680 gms	to cup
7 weeks to 5 months	680 gms to 2.6 kgs	to 1 cup
Over 6 months	2.6 kgs to 5.4 kgs	to 1 cups

FAQs

How do I know if my cat likes his food?

Cats are enthusiastic foodies, and usually love the food they are offered by their favourite humans. However, signs such as licking the food bowl clean, or licking paws after eating indicate that your furry feline has really enjoyed the meal of Whiskas wet food.

Why does my cat want me watch him eat his food?

Although cats are introverted and shy by their nature, they are also affectionate and sociable. Wanting their favourite humans to watch them eat food is a part of social or affection feeding, where your kitty genuinely enjoys your company while eating.

Do cats play with live food?

Are you wondering why my cat plays with his food? Cats often play with food to hone their hunting instinct and in making sure that their prey is healthy and fit for consumption. Playing also tires out the prey, making them too exhausted to retaliate.

How do you tell if your cat is bored of their food?

Housecats often relieve their boredom by playing with their food, especially if they are bored with it. Pet cats and kittens rarely have to hunt their food and end up swatting or poking at their food to stimulate their senses.

Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food? Vet-Approved Timeline & Transition

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

If you have a multi-cat home, you may encounter your new kitten lapping up some of your adult cats food, or perhaps you accidentally picked up adult cat food instead of kitten food and only realized once the bowl was emptied. But can Kittens eat adult cat food? The nutritional needs of a kitten are different from an adult cat, so its important to have a diet to support their needs. While a small amount of adult cat food wont do any harm, you shouldnt feed your kitten adult cat food regularly.

Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food?

The simple answer is no; kittens shouldnt eat adult cat food. Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats, so they need appropriate food to support their needs.

The First 4 Weeks

For the first four weeks of life, kittens obtain everything they need from their mothers milk, and at about 4 weeks, they will begin to wean, and solids can slowly be introduced. Wet food is often preferred since they may struggle with dry food initially. In 2 months, your kitten should be fully weaned on solid food.

At 6 Months

During the first 6 months of life, kittens experience their fastest growth period. Until they are 4 months old, their brains, muscles, bones, tendons, and connective tissues develop rapidly.In fact, kittens can gain up to 50 times more body weight in their first year of life. That is why feeding a kitten foodcontinuously is recommended until their growth slows down.

The 2^nd Phase

The second kitten phase, which lasts from four months to around a year, begins once kittens have completed the hyper-accelerated growth. Again, your kitten needs to eata kitten formula for their growing needs at this stage to make sure they are less susceptible to illnesses.

What Is the Difference Between Adult Cat Food and Kitten Food?

When kittens are still young, they require up to 30% of protein on a dry matter basis,¹ and kitten food will provide the correct amount of protein for them. Adult cats only require 25%26 % protein on a dry matter basis. These are the minimum amounts of protein that experts recommend, but many cat and kitten foods available now have a considerably higher protein content.

Fat is another essential nutrient for growing kittens due to its energy capacity. Fat is also utilized to absorb and store fat-soluble vitamins, such as preformed vitamin A, and is an important component of flavor and palatability.

Young, fast-growing kittens require far more energy than adult cats to support their growth, and fat provides 2.5 times more energy than protein and carbohydrates. Kitten food will also contain appropriate levels of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are essential for retinal and brain function.

What Happens ifYourKitten EatsAdultCat Food?

If your kitten eats a small amount of adult food, there is no need to worry. However, you shouldnt feed your kitten adult food regularly. Therefore, always keep a sizable supply of kitten food available and try to keep your kitten away from your older cats bowl. Try to maintain consistency with their brand as well. There are a few brands that offer an all-ages food but most commercial cat foods are life-stage based.

If your kitten continuously eats adult cat food, they can gain weight and experience stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.

When Can Kittens Eat Adult Food?

Generally, kittens shouldnt eat adult cat food until they reach 90% of their adult weight. This will usually happen at around 1012 months. The exception can be made with larger breeds, like Maine Coons which will eat kitten food for longer.

They should have kitten food until they reach the age of 18 months to 2 years because they dont mature until then. It is always best to consult with your veterinarian before changing your kittens food or transitioning them to adult food.

How to Transition From Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food

Transitioning your cat to adult food at around 12 months is ideal, but it is highly recommended to check in with your vet before doing so. It is best to transition over 710 days to slowly introduce the food without upsetting your cats stomach. You can start with a small amount of adult cat food added to a large portion of kitten food and gradually change the ratio until it is only adult cat food. Here is an example of how you can make the transition from kitten food to adult food:

• Day 12: adult cat food with kitten food
• Days 34: adult cat food with kitten food
• Days 57: adult cat food with kitten food
• Days 810: Adult cat food only

Ensure you monitor your cats health and behavior to determine if they are enjoying the new brand and that the transition is not causing stomach issues.

How to Choose a Cat Food to Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy

Quality food is essential when it comes to the health and well-being of your kitten, and the kitten food you select should provide enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals in the ideal proportions.

Choosing cat food might be confusing if youre anew cat parent, but here are some tips for choosing the best kitten food:

• Choose a brand that is formulated specifically for kittens.
• Choose a food that contains real meat. It should be the first ingredient on the list and be a quality protein such as chicken or beef.
• Look for kitten food with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) logo. It tells you whether the foodis complete and balancedfor the stage of your life your pet is in.
• Provide your kitten with a mixture of kibble and wet food.

Conclusion

While a small amount of adult cat food wont harm your kitten, your kitty shouldnt eat adult food regularly. A kitten has specific dietary needs due to its rapid developmental phase, and kitten food includes all the proper nutrients in the right proportions. You can start transitioning your kitten to adult food at around 12 months, but you should consult your veterinarian first for brand recommendations.

Featured Image Credit: MaraZe, Shutterstock