Owning a cat is not just all about cuteness and cuddles. It involves responsibilities so much like that of having your own child.
That means you will make important decisions like the bed they sleep in and the food they eat. Where to sleep is easy, they can find a spot cozy and warm enough for them. But, proper nutrition?
You need to provide that. With so many in the market, it can be overwhelming to pick the best cat food for your kitten.
Best Cat Food for a Kitten
1. Blue Buffalo Natural Kitten Dry Food
Our Independent Rating
Pros
- Contains real meat
- Rich in omega fatty acids
- Includes fresh fruits and vegetables
- Nutritionally whole and balanced
- Supplemental fiber and probiotics
Cons
- Ingredients have an inclusion of grains which some kittens are sensitive to
- Contains pea protein
- Contains brewer’s rice that some kittens may be allergic from
Specially made for kittens, Healthy Growth Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo is formulated to aid the kitten’s health foundation by including only the finest natural ingredients such as:
1) Protein-rich deboned chicken
2) Whole grains and vegetables
You will love this dry cat food for the reason that it is made with more than a few sources of the finest animal protein. Packed with essential fatty acids, this holistic kitten food supports your kitten’s development and progress with excellent nutrition and natural ingredients.
Dry cat food is more economical and beneficial to buy since you can purchase them in bulk. It has a longer shelf-life than wet food. Kittens chewing on dry food also provides dental benefits, too.
Healthy Growth Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo contains high protein content, moderate fat content, and low carb content. Its main ingredients, real chicken and menhaden fish meal offer concentrated sources of added protein.
Its solution provides the perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid which are perfect for skin and coat support. The supplemental fiber and probiotics ensure healthy digestion and absorption.
Aside from real chicken, Healthy Growth Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo also comprises fresh fruits and vegetables.
These make them natural sources for key nutrients with vitamins as well as chelated minerals for the ideal dietary balance. Overall, Blue Buffalo’s formulation provides 36% protein, 20% fat, and 3.5% fiber.
2. Hill’s Science Diet
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Our Independent Rating
Pros
- Excellent, veterinarian-recommended formulation
- Has functional ingredients to aid in overall health
- Specially formulated for indoor cats
- Has no artificial ingredients (colors, flavors, preservatives)
- Comes in 2 economical sizes
Cons
- Pellets are too small that causes kittens to miss chewing it through making them vomit after swallowing
- Contains corn and grain that may be an allergen for some kittens
- The new formula is not too appealing for kittens who usually consume them
One of the most recommended brands by veterinarians, Science Diet ensures your kitten is in safe hands in every bag of cat food they produce.
Formulated by a team of vets, food scientists, and Ph.D. level nutritionists, Indoor Kitten Chicken Recipe by Hill’s Science Diet is carefully prepared with nutritious elements such as:
1) DHA from fish oil for that nourished brain and eye development
2) Superior protein for achieving lean muscles
3) Balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth
Hill Science Diet incorporates in every meal DHA which is important for both the kitten’s brain and eye development.
It is high in antioxidants and vitamins that are clinically and scientifically proven to promote a healthy immune system. This added protection is perfect for the kitten’s first year of life when they are the most vulnerable.
Easy to digest and put to use are its superior animal protein, plenty of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
It is formulated with no artificial flavors, preservatives or coloring. Kittens will surely love its taste and aroma that come straight from chicken meat.
Indoor Kitten Chicken Recipe by Hill’s Science Diet’s vitamin C & E doesn’t just take care of your kitten’s immune system, they also act as the dry cat food’s natural preservative.
Its high level of nutrition makes it suitable not just for kittens but for pregnant and nursing adult cats, too.
3. Iams Proactive Health Healthy Dry Cat Food
Our Independent Rating
Pros
- Protein-rich kitten food complete with real chicken
- Has added nutrients for healthy progress
- Tiny kibble size intended for kittens
- Comes in 3 economical sizes
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Poor packaging, some have reported having dead bugs inside
- May have hair shedding effect on kittens
- Its star shape causes kittens to choke as they get lodged in the throat
Iams focused their formulation on nourishing kittens according to their stages of development and growth. With their suggested amounts of feeding per day, it provides just the right amount of healthy and nutritious benefits to kittens.
There is so much to love about this budget-friendly dry cat food. Just because it is cheap doesn’t mean it falls short of what your kittens need. Proactive Health Dry Cat Food by Iams is formulated with kitten’s brain development in mind.
With that said, you are assured it is protein-rich and packed with Omega-3 and DHA.
These all come from ingredients like a real chicken with no added fillers at all. Its inclusion of Vitamin E is helpful for improving your litter’s immune system. All meat-eating animals need essential amino acids that this formulation has a lot of.
Healthy digestion is important for kittens, therefore this dry cat food’s formulation includes unique fibre blend packed with prebiotics and beet pulp.
These components highly support your kitten’s knack to absorb nutrients.
Iams is not just another brand. They have been in the production of quality cat foods since 1946 and have spent decades researching and perfecting formulas for your furballs without you breaking the bank.
With their confidence in their products, they offer 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
With over 60 years of nutritional excellence, Iams continue to strive to provide only the best and the healthiest for your cats
4. Hill’s Science Diet Canned
Our Independent Rating
Pros
- Soft and smooth texture intended for kittens
- Balanced and proper nutrition to aid your kitten’s health
- Enhances immunity and supports your cat’s development
- Available in a variety of tasty flavors and different sizes (Roasted chicken and rice, Savory turkey, and tender chicken / 2.8 oz in 24s or 5.5 oz in 24s)
- Ideal for pregnant and nursing cats too
Cons
- Poor packaging, cans coming in with dents. Oxidation happens when tin cans get dent and it affects the quality of the food
- May not have gone through series of QC as some of the cans come dehydrated while others were like soup
Hill’s Science Diet tops the wet kitten food category not just because they are available in a variety of delicious flavours.
But the way they have been formulated to contain key nutrients and proteins helpful in boosting immunity and aiding your cat’s development.
In contrast with other AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approved cat foods that depend on laboratory testing to validate nutritional sufficiency, Kitten Recipes by Hill’s Science Diet has undergone feeding trials one after another.
Feeding trials are important in the pet food industry and are often considered to be the superior testing method.
This process had AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) substantiate Kitten Recipes by Hill’s Science Diet as complete and balanced nutrition for the developmental growth of kittens and maintenance of adult cats.
The most popular recipe in this line of Hill’s Science diet includes ingredients such as:
1) Chicken broth – for flavour and moisture
2) Real chicken – as the source of animal-based protein and essential omega-6 fatty acids
3) Pork liver – as the source of high-quality protein, fat, and essential vitamins and minerals
4) Carrots – as the source of other vitamins and minerals
7) Rice – as the gluten-free carbohydrate source
Collectively, they have a substantial impact on the overall quality of the product. Their formulation is excellent since meat based protein contains all of the essential amino acids vital for kittens.
Plus, the absence of artificial colors, preservatives, and anonymous meat ingredients add up to its exceptional production.
5. Purina Fancy Feast Kitten Canned Wet Cat Food
Our Independent Rating
Pros
- Formulated with real milk and natural proteins
- Low carbohydrate content
- Several flavors to choose from (Chicken and Salmon Feast, Chicken, Ocean Whitefish, Salmon, Tender Ocean Whitefish, Turkey, Turkey Feast)
- Thickened without carrageenan
- Rich in animal protein
Cons
- Consists of artificial ingredients
- Made with possibly low-quality animal by-products
If you are looking for a healthy kitten food that won’t cost you a lot, Kitten Classic Paté Tender Chicken Feast is one mouth-watering soft food comprised of real milk and wholesome natural proteins. This wet cat food is one of Purina’s essential recipes for kittens.
From its classic line, it features chicken as its primary protein source added with poultry broth and liver. The next ingredients are meat and artificial and natural flavors. The wet food is stabilized with guar gum.
Guar gum is a rather safe binding agent and stabilizer based on guar beans. The colored artificial colors contain sodium nitrite to stimulate color retention.
While Paté Tender Chicken Feast loses a few points for using artificial ingredients and potentially low-quality meats, they are still supplemented with synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to make it nutritionally complete.
Its good qualities include species-appropriate macronutrient distribution that compliments your cat’s carnivorous needs.
Plus, there is not any trace of carrageenan for thickening. Carrageenan is a potentially inflammatory and carcinogenic thickener that is common among cheap brands.
Purina has been one of the leaders in the pet food industry. They have been around for over 90 years, guided by the principle that pets and people are better together. These ideals make them keep a huge following of loyal customers from every generation.
Our Top Pick
For first-time cat owners, picking the right food for your cat can be overwhelming. With all of the cat food available in the market, it could be confusing and tricky which one to pick.
A simple visit to the vet can get you the answer you need. Although it can also help that you research and understand the care guide for kittens so you can make a good judgment of cat food to pick.
Read comments and reviews, these are substantial information as they come from people who have experienced using the product first hand.
But, the reviews we made won’t be complete if we don’t mention what we think is best for your kitten. So, to help you pick better, we have for you the best dry and wet kitten food.
The best dry food contains real meat and packed full of eggs, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits for complete and balanced nutrition.
This kitten food by Blue Buffalo is an excellent choice for your kittens since they are free from artificial products and contains no corns, wheat, or soy that are mostly causing allergies to cats.
The wet food that topped our list is one that doesn’t have “by-products,” “meat and bone meal,” added sugars, chemical preservatives and cornmeal fillers.
Cats are obligate carnivores and they cannot flourish on vegetarian diets. Therefore, what’s best for them can be found in Kitten Recipes by Hill’s Science Diet.
Its rich formula is perfect for kittens in their stage when they are developing eye and brain health.
Conclusion
Next to veterinary care, cat food is one of the most important expenses in feline ownership. It is your responsibility as a fur parent to provide a proper diet. One of the benefits of providing this is lesser trips to the vet.
The fundamental purpose of this write-up is to help you understand which best kitten food to pick.
The one that would be beneficial for the growing kittens while keeping your budget unharmed. However, if you feel the need to look out for other products that are not mentioned in this review, it would be best the have the following considerations in mind:
Cat’s Basic Dietary Needs
- Protein from named meat, fish, or poultry
- Taurine (amino acid)
- Some vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
- Water
Cat food labels should have indications of compliance with AAFCO’s requirements for a complete and balanced meal.
The protein source should also be named – “chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef,” instead of “meat.” The protein source should also be mentioned as the first listed ingredient.