What is the best dry kitten food

The 10 Best Kitten Foods of 2024

Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

Just like your kitten, the best kitten food packs plenty of energy in a small package. Its calorie-dense, rich in protein, and loaded with omega-3s to support brain and eye development. But not every food marketed for kittens is worthy of your babys bowl.

Our top recommendation is Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pt. This canned food has everything your kitten needs without excessive carbs, colors, and other additives. It receives positive customer reviews and comes from a trusted company.

Keep reading to learn more about your kittens nutritional requirements and how we chose the best kitten foods on the market.

At a Glance: Best Kitten Foods of 2024

In the comparison table below, weve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. Youll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Premium Pick

9.8

Picked by 31 people today!

• Easy-to-chew combination of shreds and mousse
• Rich in animal-sourced protein
• Enriched with DHA for brain development

Best for All Ages

9.2

Picked by 31 people today!

• Smooth pt texture is easy for kittens to eat
• High in moisture to support hydration
• Good source of protein

Best Dry

9.0

Picked by 31 people today!

• Composed of 81% animal ingredients, including animal fat
• Calorie-dense to support healthy kitten growth
• Contains animal-based omega-3s for eye and brain development

Why Trust Cats.com

Before selecting products for testing, I performed in-depth research to identify kittens core nutritional needs and determine what makes kitten food different from food for adult cats. After reading hundreds of customer reviews and speaking with market insiders, I selected products for hands-on testing.

All products on this list were purchased at full retail price and tested with the help of my two cats, Wessie and Forest. While they provided their opinions on how the food tasted as well as its general appeal, I made observations on things like texture, consistency, appearance, aroma, and packing.

Throughout the research and testing process, I also consulted veterinary experts to get their opinions on what makes a great kitten food.

Our Veterinary Advisors

Top Picks Explained

While our top recommendations have recently been updated, we still love the kitten foods Mallory mentions in this video.

The Best Healthy Kitten Food Reviewed: Our Top 10 Recommendations

Your growing kitten needs a protein-packed diet that supplies the energy and nutrients they need to support healthy development. Our top pick is Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Pt. Its a meat-based formula packed with animal-based ingredients, including turkey, chicken liver, chicken meat, and chicken meal. However, it may not be the ideal choice for your unique kitten.

Weve assembled a list of recommendations categorized by food type, price, and age range to help you find the perfect fit. Our rankings are determined by an array of factors but its ultimately your kittens opinion that matters.

What To Look for When Shopping for Kitten Food

A nutritionally complete diet is crucial during a kittens first 12 months of life. During these months, youre building the foundation for a lifetime of good health. A diet that is nutritionally incomplete or unbalanced could set your kitten up for serious health problems down the road.

If youre committed to purchasing commercially available food, read the label to determine whether or not its appropriate for kittens. If the food is labeled complete and balanced for growth and reproduction OR all life stages, its been formulated according to the AAFCOs nutrient profiles for kitten health.

Here are a few additional qualities to look for when shopping for kitten food:

Concentrated Source of Protein

Cats of all ages need a lot of protein. Compared to middle-aged adults, however, kittens are more sensitive to both the quantity and quality of that protein. While adult cats need at least 6.5 grams of protein per 100 calories according to the AAFCOs nutrient profiles, kittens need 7.5 grams or more.

Rich in Calories

Kittens need more calories per pound of body weight than the average adult cat to support their rapid growth. A calorie-dense diet for kittens should contain a balance of protein and fat to ensure that most of their growth goes into healthy muscle.

Dr. Lizzie Youens clarifies that kitten food doesnt only support physical growth, noting that its not only physical growth we need to fuel, but also their immune system, nervous system, brain, and other vital functions. They need high-quality nutrients in an easily digestible form.

Species-Appropriate Formulation

As obligate carnivores, kittens require the amino acids found in animal tissue. Animal-sourced protein provides all the amino acids cats and kittens need to thrive while plant-based proteins only contain some of the essential amino acids.

An ideal diet for cats and kittens is primarily animal-based with minimal carbohydrate content. Its also rich in moisture which supports healthy digestion as well as your kittens hydration. Canned, wet, and other moisture-rich foods help prevent urinary tract issues and promote good overall health.

Free From Potentially Harmful Ingredients

Artificial flavors, coloring agents, and synthetic preservatives have no place in your kittens diet. They dont add to your kittens nutrition and they have the potential to contribute to negative health effects which could carry through the rest of your kittens life.

Easy To Chew

When theyre very young and still have baby teeth, your kitten will likely find it easiest to eat soft, wet food. This could be a cooked homemade, fresh, or canned food.

After the first six months, introduce more challenging morsels. Food that requires chewing will challenge your kittens jaws and can promote good dental health. With most cats suffering from periodontal disease by the time they reach middle age, establishing good dental hygiene in kittenhood is one of the most impactful health investments you can make.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When Should You Start Feeding Kitten Food?

Kittens start transitioning off of their mothers milk and onto solid food at around four weeks of age. The weaning process is both voluntary and forced. Kittens might get curious about sharing their mothers food and when they go back to suckle, shell begin to push them away.

Its a gradual process that usually takes a few weeks. By the time kittens are seven weeks old, they should be fully weaned and eating a solid food diet.

How Often Should You Feed Your Kitten?

Kittens are happiest and healthiest when served three or four small meals each day.

Is It Okay to Feed Your Kitten A Variety of Foods or Should They Stick to One Food Only?

To ensure that your cat doesnt become finicky, its a good idea to introduce varied textures and flavors during kittenhood.

Some people, including veterinarians, believe in feeding one food for the entirety of a cats life. Not only does relying exclusively on a single protein source set your cat up for food intolerances later in life, but a limited diet also tells your cat that its okay to be finicky.

If you allow your kitten to eat nothing but chicken-based pt for the first 12 months of their life, theyll likely be reluctant to try new foods when theyre 12 years old.

When Should You Stop Feeding Kitten Food?

When we talked to Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM about this, she shared that she typically recommends that cats switch to an adult diet at 1 year of age, but this varies depending on when the cat reaches physical maturity. Around that time, you can gradually switch your cat off of their kitten food and onto a diet formulated for adult cats. Your veterinarian can advise you on when to transition from kitten food to adult food.

Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food?

Adult cats can eat kitten food, but its not necessarily a good long-term choice. Compared toproducts intended for adult cats, kitten food may have more calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other micronutrients that support skeletal development. For an adult cat, those minerals may be excessive.

Remember that kitten food is packed with calories to fuel babyhood growth. For this reason, it may be a good choice if you need to help your adult cat gain weight. If your cat isnt underweight, however, eating kitten food could lead to obesity.

The best kitten foods of 2024, with advice from veterinarians

What to look for in kitten food

When shopping for the best kitten foods, the following criteria are essential to consider.

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: The most basic measure of a nutritionally complete cat food is the presence of an AAFCO statement on the label. The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that defines the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. Food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens.

Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis consists of the percentages of protein, fat, and essential nutrients in a food. Food for kittens should have a minimum of 30% protein, 9% fat, and the presence of essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.

To compare the nutrients in wet food to those in dry food, convert the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food to a dry matter basis. To find the dry matter basis, use these directions from the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, call the food manufacturer, or ask your veterinarian for help.

Ingredients list: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Because cats are obligate carnivores, proteins in the form of whole meat or meat meal should come first on the ingredients list.

Expert formulations: For this guide, we prioritized brands that have a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with WSAVA guidelines and our experts' guidance. We also looked for brands active in research or those that collaborate with universities and colleges.

Manufacturing standards: Consider a manufacturer's quality control measures and the types of facilities they use. Pet food companies should provide this information on their website or upon request.

Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories (kcal). According to Merck Veterinary Manual, a kitten should be offered multiple meals daily and permitted to eat food as wanted to support their rapid growth since their energy needs are much higher. As your kitten approaches 9 to 12 months of age, talk to your veterinarian about their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric needs.

Product recommendations from veterinarians: Your veterinarian can help you select the ideal food for you kitten.

The best dry cat foods of 2024, reviewed with advice from vets

What to look for in dry cat foods

When shopping for the best dry cat food for your kitten, adult, or senior cat, you'll want to consider the following criteria:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: The most basic measure of nutritionally complete cat food is an AAFCO statement on the label. AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that defines the standard nutritional requirements for pet food and animal feed. Food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for kittens, while food with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages is guaranteed to be complete and balanced for adult cats.

Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis consists of the percentages of protein, fat, and other important nutrients in a food. Food for kittens should have a minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat, and food for adult cats should have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat. Food for cats of any age should also contain other essential nutrients, including amino acids like taurine, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.

To compare the nutrients in wet food to those in dry food, convert the percentages of fat, protein, and fiber in wet food to a "dry matter basis." You can use these directions from the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, call the food manufacturer, or ask your vet for help.

Key ingredients: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Because cats are obligate carnivores, proteins in the form of whole meat or meat meal should come first on the ingredients list.

Expert formulations: For this guide, we prioritized brands with a dedicated nutrition expert on staff, which aligns with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines and our experts' guidance. We also opted for brands active in research on small animal nutrition, as well as brands that collaborate with universities and colleges.

Manufacturing standards: When selecting a cat food brand, consider a manufacturer's quality control measures and the types of facilities they use. For instance, manufacturers that own their plants have more control over the ingredients in the recipe and the food your cat consumes. Just keep in mind that it's not enough for a brand to say they conduct quality control. Pet food companies should also provide information about their quality control practices on their website or upon request.

Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories (kcals). Your cat will have different calorie needs, depending on their age and activity level. Kittens grow quickly in their first year, and all that growth requires plenty of energy. Therefore, kittens should eat multiple meals per day without calorie restrictions. As your kitten approaches 9 to 12 months of age, talk to your vet about their ideal body condition, weight, and caloric needs.

Once cats reach their adult years, the amount of food they should eat depends on their weight, energy level, breed, and overall health. Your vet can offer more detailed and personalized guidance about how many calories your cat requires per day.