Be a good pet parent and nourish your bouncing fur baby with the best dry cat food for kittens. Your kitty is growing fast – on average it can gain a pound in weight each month. The benefit of feeding them with dry food for kittens is that it contains a higher percentage of protein and calories than adult cat food - which kittens on-the-grow need. In addition, your kitty's teeth will be kept healthy as the kibble helps to remove plaque. It's really important to ensure you are buying kitten food not least because the kibble is smaller than adult dry cat food.
Additionally, you may find dry food better suits your household as it's easier to measure out into portions and has a longer shelf life compared to wet cat food. Several of the products in this guide can be ordered from Amazon, where there's an option to subscribe and save. This is really useful if you want regular deliveries of cat food, and you can save money by buying dry kitten food in bulk.
Best dry cat food for kittens at a glance:
The correct food will give your kitten the best start in life. Consequently, you can look forward to seeing your fluffball develop a glossy coat, shiny eyes, strong bones and a healthy immune system. If digestion is an issue for your junior cat, it may be due to underlying food intolerances. We've included some hypoallergenic options in this roundup, in addition, we advise seeking the guidance of a vet.
The best dry cat food for kittens
Best overall kitten dry cat food
www.sainsburys.co.uk
Purina ONE Kitten Dry Cat Food Chicken and Wholegrain is designed for kittens aged one to 12 months and is kind to little tummies. This kitten kibble is an appetising chicken flavour 'complete' dry diet, meaning no other meals or supplements are required. Additionally, there are lots more flavours in the range to move on to when your kitten becomes a cat. Purina ONE dry cat food is available in a range of quantities which is great for buying in bulk.
Customer review: "These aren't cheap, but the quality is excellent. There's no horrible smell with either Gourmet or Purina. The cats are very satisfied and there's no waste as the food is high quality and not full of fillers. My cats are very healthy with bags of energy and sparkly eyes."
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Complete food
Cons
- None
| Ingredients | Chicken, dried poultry protein, wholegrain wheat, maize gluten meal, wheat gluten meal, animal fat, soya meal, maize starch, dried chicory root, maize, minerals, digest (with added heat-treated Lactobacillus Delbrueckii and Fermentum powder), yeast, fish oil |
ON SALE
Best dry kitten food for allergies
If your kitten shows signs of itchy skin and has vomiting or diarrhoea, it may be a sign of a food allergy. Purina's PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food contains select proteins that have been hydrolysed, meaning they are unlikely to provoke an allergic reaction.
Customer review: "Within a very short period of time our cat's dermatitis started to subside and her stomach settled. Eventually, her fur grew back in absolutely beautiful condition. The kibbles are designed to be easily digested - they are small and light - and they actually smell quite appetising, so you won't have to worry about your house smelling like a pet shop."
Pros
- Very effective results for kittens and cats with sensitive stomachs, allergies and other digestive health issues
Cons
- Do seek the guidance of a vet for your pet's health issues – this food is not a miracle treatment
| Ingredients | Rice starch, hydrolysed soya protein, soybean oil, minerals, cellulose, hydrolysed digest, animal fat, fish oil, carbohydrate source, protein sources |
Best premium dry food for kittens
www.tippaws.com
Tippaws Turkey and Chicken Dry Cat Food For Kittens contains 70 per cent turkey and chicken with taurine, cranberry, yucca and prebiotics to support a growing cat's health and development. The kibble is designed to fit kitten-size mouths and is available in 1.5kg or 5kg bags. Tippaws donate to cat rescue charities every time you buy.
Customer review: "I have two very happy and full kittens."
Pros
- High quality ingredients that kittens will go crazy for
- Complete food
Cons
- None
| Ingredients | Turkey, Chicken, Potato, Peas, Chickpea, Lentils, Hydrolysed Liver Gravy, Omega-3 Supplement, Cellulose, Minerals, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS, 480 mg/kg), Mannanoligosaccharides (MOS, 120 mg/kg), Dried Cranberry, Yucca Extract (180 mg/kg) |
Best kitten dry cat food for value
www.petsathome.com
Whiskas Dry Cat Food for Kittens is available in chicken flavour, with tasty pockets filled with milk. A 2kg bag should provide at least 40 servings and the zip lock bag should ensure the kibble stays fresh. Furthermore, Whiskas has thought about mouthfeel and designed the kibble to be a mix of shapes and textures, including a pellet that has a delicious soft centre. There are also milky treats and poultry-flavoured wet food for kittens in the range.
Customer review: "Can't vouch for the taste but the cat seems to like it. Comparatively cheap but so long as she likes it that suits us both."
Pros
- Variety of flavours and textures, the food pillow provide an interesting mouthfeel
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that their pets have sensitive tummies and are not able to digest these
| Ingredients | Cereals, meat and animal derivatives, oils and fats, vegetable protein extracts, minerals, milk and milk derivatives, and derivatives of vegetable origin |
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Best luxury kitten dry cat food
Lily's Kitchen Kitten Recipe is a complete natural cat food that claims to have a whopping 75 per cent chicken and fish as its main ingredients. It's also double the price of any other dry cat food for kittens on the market. This brand aims to provide wholesome food for the newest member of your family. Treat your kitten to real ingredients that have been vet and pet nutritionist-approved.
Customer review: "Really good quality and healthy food, that both my kittens love. They look so healthy, and I feel reassured that they are eating properly and healthily. Would really recommend it."
Pros
- A source of high-quality protein, fats, vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that it smells and there has been a change in the recipe
| Ingredients | Fresh chicken, chicken liver, freshly prepared seasonal white fish. Potato, egg, chicken gravy, flaxseed, salmon oil, prebiotics, Italian cheese, seaweed, carrots, cranberries, bilberries, parsley, and fenugreek seeds |
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Best hypoallergenic kitten dry cat food
James Wellbeloved is made from a carefully selected range of natural ingredients with no added artificial colours or flavours. This smaller kibble is designed for kitties with sensitivities, offering tailored nutrition with single-source animal protein. It has some unusual ingredients too: chicory extract as a prebiotic for gut health and yucca to reduce the odour of poo. This 1.5kg bag is turkey flavoured, there is also a fish option and a lighter version for adult cats that need to go on a diet.
Customer review: "This doesn't contain any wheat, dairy or eggs and the fish meal comes from sustainable sources. It also contains chicory extract which is a prebiotic and omega fatty acid that keeps her coat lovely and glossy and of course the kibbles are great at keeping tartar build-up at bay."
Pros
- Hypoallergenic with carefully selected natural ingredients
Cons
- None
| Ingredients | Turkey meal, white rice, turkey fat, brown rice, potato protein, pea protein, maize gluten, turkey gravy, tomato pomace, dried meat-free stock, potassium chloride, chicory extract, fish oil, calcium carbonate, carrot, sodium chloride, cranberry extract, yucca extract, rosemary extract, green tea extract |
Multibuy offer available
Best kitten dry cat food for health
www.petsathome.com
Iams dry cat food is supplemented with vitamins and minerals which is underpinned by over 70 years of research, development and innovation. The main ingredient is chicken, a natural source of taurine, which is essential for maintaining healthy eyesight in cats. This 2kg bag of kibble is packed with 91 per cent animal protein (out of total protein) which is essential for our rapidly growing little carnivores.
Customer review: "My two cats absolutely loved these biscuits. One of them usually isn't a big fan of dry food however, she absolutely adored these. I have noticed they feel fuller for longer and are generally happy girls."
Pros
- Tailored blend of minerals for optimum health
- Wheat free
- No artificial colours, flavours or GMOs
Cons
- Some kittens do not like the smell
| Ingredients: | Dried chicken and turkey, maize, pork fat, fresh chicken, rice, dried beet pulp, chicken gravy, dried whole egg, fish meal, fructooligosaccharides, fish oil, potassium chloride, brewer's dried yeast. Added vitamins and minerals |
Best ethically-produced kitten dry cat food
Scrumbles Complete Dry Kitten Food has omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, live bacteria and cranberries to promote urinary tract health. The main ingredient is an impressive 77 per cent chicken. Conscious of delivering all the essential nutrients and hypoallergenic, this dry kitten kibble packs all the gut-friendly power of some of the more vetinerary-endorsed products. In addition, Scrumbles' packaging is 100 per cent recyclable and its products are made in the UK and Ireland.
Customer review: "Until I tried this brand, I had three cats on three different types of biscuits. One needs a high protein content to stop his belly rumbling all day long, the other has a delicate stomach, and the third is just plain fussy. These were absolutely wolfed down and so far, I’ve had no issues with them."
Pros
- Ethical values
- Hypoallergenic
- High-quality ingredients
Cons
- None
| Ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver, Rice, Dried Alfalfa, Salmon Oil, Minerals, Vitamins, Dried Cranberry, Dried Carrot, Extract of Yucca Schidigera, Crude Fibre, Inorganic Matter, Omega-3, Omega-6, Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium |
Take A Break Pets' Verdict
For baby cats, full of energy and mischief, we choose Iams dry kitten food. It's a mid-price product in our selection and yet packs all the essential ingredients and scientific rigour compared to the more expensive competitors. In particular, there's a high percentage of meat in the main ingredients, notably chicken. Taurine, which is found in chicken, is essential for maintaining healthy vision in cats. This is a 'complete' food, with vitamins and minerals that Iams claim support the seven signs of vitality. That is healthy brain development, growth, eyes, skin and coat, digestion, teeth, and a strong immune system.
Iams has over 70 years in the pet food industry and is a trusted brand. Most importantly, this product has received wholly positive reviews from the kittens and their pet parents. Resoundingly, the kittens enjoy the taste of the kibble as well as thriving with all the health benefits. Iams for Vitality Dry Kitten Food with Fresh Chicken is fur-tastic.
FAQs
Should kittens have wet or dry food?
Your kitten will be weaned at around four to six weeks, and they'll be hungry to try solids. Offer your pet small amounts of moistened kibble as a way of introducing them to dry food. It's worth remembering that cats are obligate carnivores - meaning meat is essential in their diet - this can be derived from wet or dry cat food. If your kitten shows no signs of food intolerance, they will benefit from having both wet and dry food. Alongside the dental and nutritional benefits of dry food, wet kitten food will give your growing cat more varied flavours, textures and nutrients. Please do buy dry cat food that's designed for kittens, as their mouths are too small for adult kibble.
What kitten food is best for diarrhoea?
If your kitten has a poorly tummy, it's worth trying them on hypoallergenic dry cat food for kittens, such as PRO PLAN Veterinary Diet from Purina. This kibble has hydrolysed proteins, pure carbohydrates and added vitamins and fatty acids that are much more digestible for cats with allergies.
How much should I feed my kitten?
Between four and eight weeks into their lives, your kitten will transition to eating solid food. Be guided by the serving size on the food packaging, but naturally the serving size increases as their body size increases. Small and regular feeds are recommended to maintain their energy levels and prevent overeating. As a guide, here's a sample feeding chart from Purina.
Over time you'll notice your fur baby's eating habits and preferences. If they're grazers, it makes sense to have a bowl of dry food available all the time or in an automatic feeder. Wet cat food will smell if it's left out for a while. Your kittens may even prefer a dry cat food diet. That's fine, as long as you're giving them a 'complete' form of kibble, which has quality protein and essential nutrients. Always make sure fresh water is available in a bowl or fountain that's separate from their food, as cats strongly dislike tainted water.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.