Even though kittens are small, delicate, and just the cutest things in the world, it is so important to find the best kitten food possible in order for them to grow into healthy and strong adult cats. Even though kittens will be fed milk by their mum until they are at least three to four weeks old, colostrum, found in the mum's milk, contains antibodies that will protect the kittens from disease. If any of your kittens do not receive colostrum or are not being fed from mum, call your vet.
After being weaned off milk, there are two options when it comes to food for your little bundle of fluff: wet and dry kitten food and it is completely up to you to decide which is better for your new addition. You could even try both. If you're rescuing or buying a new kitten, they will probably have transitioned to kitten food already and you should speak to the breeder or rescue centre to see what they have already been eating.
Best kitten food at a glance:
• Best dry kitten food: James Wellbeloved Kitten Turkey Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food, 1.5kg – View on Viovet
• Best wet kitten food: AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health Wet Kitten Food, 12 x 85g - View on Pets At Home
• Best kitten food for fussy kittens: Pro Plan Nutrisavour Wet Kitten Food Turkey, 10 x 85g – View on Viovet
In the first six months of their lives, your little one will have reached about 75 per cent of their adult size and be able to eat adult cat food - so it's vital that they learn healthy eating habits from eight to ten weeks old right into adulthood.
In this guide, we've rounded up the best kitten food on the market right now for each one of your kitten's needs. We'll also answer all the questions you have when it comes to making the decision, including things to look out for, tips if your kitten is being fussy, the difference between wet kitten food and dry kitten food and for and how long you should be feeding kitten food for.
Best kitten food
Best dry kitten food
James Wellbeloved/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
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. Dry kitten food is an excellent way of removing plaque from teeth and can become a lifelong dietary choice.
Customer review: "My kitten had diarrhoea and the vets couldn’t find a reason for it after a month. We tried this biscuit as a last chance, now our little one is completely fine. She only has this biscuit now as her complete food, highly recommended."
Pros
- Hypoallergenic with carefully selected natural ingredients
- Improves quality of stools
- Good quality packaging
- Great option for picky eaters
Cons
- Only one flavour
- Strong smell
| Ingredients: | Turkey meal (27%), white rice, turkey fat (15%), brown rice, potato protein, pea protein, maize gluten, turkey gravy (3.9%), tomato pomace, dried meat-free stock, potassium chloride, chicory extract (0.25%), fish oil, calcium carbonate, carrot, sodium chloride, cranberry extract (0.05%), yucca extract (0.02%), rosemary extract (0.006%), green tea extract (0.002%). |
Best wet kitten food
AVA/Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
AVA wet kitten food is Veterinary Approved and a perfect choice for those wanting to feed their kitten quality natural food. As well as being easily digestible, the food contains no added grains and wheat plus all you need to promote overall well-being, including a gorgeous shiny coat and brain function development.
Customer review: "I am happy with the purchase as my 5-month kitten likes this food. He had a running stool when on a dried kitten door or mixed diet. I switched to AVA wet food and chicken breast and his poo is normal now. I am taking away one star as the packaging is not recyclable."
Pros
- Full of immune-boosting ingredients
- Good for fussy cats
- Helps with weaning process
- Vets recommend
Cons
- Only one flavour
| Ingredients: | Chicken, Tuna, Pea Protein, Sunflower Oil, Yeast Extract, Cellulose Fibre, Minerals, Fish Oil, Tapioca Starch, Yeast, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Extract, Glucosamine, Dried Blueberry, Cranberry Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Chondroitin |
Best kitten food for fussy kittens
Purina/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
If your little kitten is turning its nose up at the food you have been given them, turning to wet food with water content may be easier for them to nibble on. This Pro Plan Nutrisavour Wet Kitten Food contains tender turkey chunks in gravy and has the ideal balance of nutrition and taste for your kitten. It is precisely balanced to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to help support ideal body weight, immunity and healthy growth in kittens. It contains DHA from fish oil for healthy brain and eye development and balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth.
Customer review: "Our kitten is now six months old and this wet food is consistently his favourite, he never leaves anything behind unlike some other brands that he won't even touch!"
Pros
- Great for fussy eaters
- Full of nutrients
- Good texture
Cons
- Small percentage of meat
| Ingredients: | Meat and animal derivatives (of which turkey 4%), vegetable protein extracts, fish and fish derivatives, oils and fats, minerals, derivatives of vegetable origin, various sugars. |
Bet natural kitten food
Applaws/Amazon
If you're after a natural food for your kittens, Applaws wet kitten food is made up of 50 per cent chicken breast and it is recommended to feed with any dry food for a complete and balanced diet.
Customer review: "Applaws Natural Wet Kitten Food, Tuna in Jelly Tin is a fantastic choice for cat owners who want the best for their furry friends. Made with natural ingredients and free from any harmful additives, this cat food is not only healthy but also delicious. My kitten loves it and I feel confident knowing she is getting a nutritious meal. Highly recommend!"
Pros
- Full of protein
- High quality
- Pate texture good for small mouths
Cons
- Small portions
- Supplementary food rather than complete
| Ingredients: | Chicken 50%, Egg 5%, Tuna liver 3%, Fish oil 0.1%, sunflower oil 1.5%, rice 1%, cooking water 39.4%. |
Best kitten food for sensitive tummies
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Some rich and bitter foods may be too much for your kittens' tummy and it is really common for them to turn their nose up at some food you give them. Lily's Kitchen Chicken and White Fish Kitten Dry Food is full of nutrients your kitten needs. There are also no grains, meat meals or nasties, which makes it naturally healthy for your kitten and easier on the tummy.
Customer review: "Good quality dry food which my kitten loves eating. She is doing really well on Lily's Kitchen kitten food and looks very healthy. It is a very good diet for fussy kittens too."
Pros
- High-quality protein, fats, vitamins and minerals
- Improves stools
- High meat content
Cons
- Needs more flavour variety
| Ingredients: | Fresh Chicken (50%), Potatoes, Chicken Liver (15%), Seasonal White Fish (10%), Potato Protein, Egg, Chicken Gravy, Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Prebiotics (Mannan Oligosaccharides 1.1g/kg, Fructooligosaccharides 0.7g/kg), Italian Cheese, Seaweed, Carrots, Cranberries (0.02%), Bilberries (0.02%), Parsley (0.02%), Fenugreek Seeds (0.01%). |
Best value kitten food
Whiskas/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Feed your kitten a 100 per cent complete and balanced meal, with no artificial flavours or colours with Whiskas Kitten Food Poultry in jelly. Trusted by thousands around the country as the best cat food for kittens, Whiskas kitten food promotes healthy growth for your furry friend. Suitable for cats aged 2 to 12 months. Supports the development of strong bones.
Customer review: "Two kittens who are spoilt rotten simply love the Whiskas kitten food in gravy, so much so they tend to stick their faces straight in it. Their bowls are cleared and licked clean every time this is served. It does not upset tummies or make them windy so that's a bonus too."
Pros
- Good value
- Variety of flavours
- Meaty chunks
- Not as strong smell as other cat food brands
Cons
- Some reviews say that the food looks bland
| Ingredients: | Chicken Meat and Animal Derivatives, Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars |
| <meta charset="utf-8">Duck Meat and Animal Derivatives, Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars | |
| <meta charset="utf-8">Poultry Meat and Animal Derivatives, Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars | |
| <meta charset="utf-8">Turkey Meat and Animal Derivatives, Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars |
Best pâté for kittens
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Treat your kitten to a premium diet from Lily's Kitchen, founded in 2009, the brand has pioneered high-quality cat food using fresh ingredients for tasty nutrition. Lily's Kitchen Smooth Paté Selection Complete Kitten Food is made from nutritious and delicious quality ingredients. It's proper food for growing kittens. So, if you want to splash out on your bundle of fur, look no further.
Customer review: "Our kittens love these pates and wolf them down. I bought these as the vet said their skin was a bit dry and I needed to swap to a more expensive brand. They only have one tray a day as they are quite rich but already their coats are so glossy."
Pros
- Easy to eat and has a high meat content
- Quality ingredients
- Good for weaning
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that it smells and there has been a change in the recipe
| Ingredients: | Chicken, Trout, Pork, Beef, Minerals, Salmon Oil, Algae<br>Chicken, Cod, Salmon, Pork, Minerals, Salmon Oil, Algae |
Best vet approved kitten food
Royal Canin/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Royal Canin is all about meeting the needs of your cat, whether they're a kitten or a specific breed. Created by veterinary schools, universities and breeders Royal Canin Kitten in Jelly provides all the essential nutrients needed to sustain high energy requirements and support bone strengthening as well as good overall health maintenance. Suitable from 4-12 months old.
Customer review: "My kittens love this brand, I haven't any fault with it apart from the price, as I have 2 kittens and its £10.99 each it's costing me a lot of money per week but as they have been brought up on this brand I don't want to change, it's just a shame that I never receive any vouchers for discounts on this brand from pets at home as I buy it every week."
Pros
- Vet approved
- High quality and packed full of vitamins
- Small chunks
Cons
- Some reviews say it is small portions for the price
Best mother and kitten food
Royal Canin/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
If your cat is pregnant or has given birth recently, it’s important that both she and her kittens have the correct nutritional support to ensure continued health for the mother and the best start possible for the kittens. You should continue to feed kitten food to the mother until her kittens are weaned. This Royal Canin Mother and Babycat Adult and Kitten food makes sure everyone gets what they need.
Customer review: "I breed Old Style Siamese cats, and find the Mother and Babycat biscuits good for the Mother while she pregnant and feeding, and helpful when weaning the kittens. All the kittens seems to eat these biscuits. They are small and easy for them to manage."
Pros
- Small kibble
- Contains a patented complex of antioxidants
- Good for weaning
Cons
- Not great for sensitive stomachs
| Ingredients: | Dehydrated poultry protein, animal fats, maize flour, rice, vegetable protein isolate*, hydrolysed animal proteins, yeasts and parts thereof, fish oil, beet pulp, vegetable fibres, soya oil, minerals, fructo-oligo-saccharides (0,35%), hydrolysed yeast (source of manno-oligo-saccharides), yeasts extracts (source of betaglucans), marigold extract (source of lutein). Crude ash: 7.4%. Crude fibre: 1.9%. Crude oil fats: 25%. Moisture: %. Protein: 34%. |
How we chose the best kitten food
All of these kitten foods have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered ingredients, weight and value in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching kitten food to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
How to wean kittens:
With help from Cats Protection, the transition from your kitten getting milk from their mum to eating solid kitten food should be an easy one. They have put together some handy tips to make sure the transition is as easy as possible.
• Start with diluted kitten milk in a shallow bowl. Always follow the product's instructions carefully to ensure the correct amount and dilution is used and at the right temperature. Place a small amount on the kitten's mouth to encourage them to drink directly from the bowl. Offer this several times a day.
• Add a small amount of wet kitten food to the milk over time. Gradually increase the ratio of food to milk until the kitten is eating solid food.
• This process should happen gradually over a period of three to four weeks while the kittens continue to suckle their mum until they are feeding freely. Make sure you keep an eye on your kitten when they eat.
FAQs
How long should you feed kitten food?
As a general rule, 12 months of age is the rule when it comes to making to switch from kitten food to adult food, but make sure you do it slowly and it does depend on the breed of cat and how they have grown. An adult cat’s nutritional needs depend on factors including their size, breed, activity levels and whether they’ve been sterilised. It’s worth getting advice from your vet about switching to the right adult food at the right time for your cat.
What is the difference between kitten food and cat food?
For healthy growth, kitten food is more nutrient-packed and contains more calories, protein and fat than adult cat food. However, there are some foods that are formulated 'for all life stages', which means it's safe for both kittens and adult cats to eat.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.