Finding the best wet kitten food to help your fur baby grow into a healthy and strong adult cat is top of the to-do list. After what seems like an eternity of waiting, your new kitten is finally coming home. You've sorted a comfy bed, soft blankets, scratching post, chosen some cat toys, picked out a litter tray and you're now counting down the hours until you can hold your new ball of fluff in your arms for a little cuddle. The best kitten food will entice them into their new home and give them a nice little treat.
Best wet kitten food at a glance:
Even though kittens seem small and delicate, in the first six months, 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.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the options available, look no further because we have found the best wet kitten food on the market to suit you and your new pet's needs. Samantha Prior, Cat Advisor at Woodgreen Pets Charity, explains that the most important thing to consider when giving your new kitten the very best start in life is that cats and kittens are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat to survive. She says, "They require good levels of high-quality protein and a mix of vitamins and minerals. A food that’s lower in carbohydrates is often preferable. They’re also unable to make their own taurine (an amino acid that kittens need for healthy growth and development), so it’s essential they get this from their food. All of these are found in a ‘Complete’ cat food but will vary in amounts."
Even though kittens will be able to make a quick transition to adult food, you may want to consider some of the best wet kitten food options below. Samantha adds that giving your kitten the options of wet and dry kitten foodwill help to see which they enjoy the most. She adds, "A common mistake is overfeeding a kitten - this is so easily done as some kittens will continue to eat, even when they’re full! Reading the food guidelines and feeding your feline friend small meals throughout the day can help to keep this in check."
Best wet kitten food
Best complete wet kitten food
Royal Canin/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
As our vet Samantha mentioned, looking out for kitten food labelled 'complete diet' is the best choice when shopping for kitten food. It’s important that any food that owners buy contains the right amount of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. An incredibly popular and trustworthy brand available in many vets, Royal Canin is all about meeting your cat's needs, 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, this food makes sure your kitten gets everything they need whilst they undergo a period of significant physical and behavioural changes.
Customers who have bought Royal Canin kitten food love how their bundles of fluff chomp down the food and are confident that they are getting everything they need. However, it is a more pricey option than other brands and might not be available in supermarkets.
Pros
- Vet approved
- High quality and packed full of vitamins
Cons
- Designed for 2nd stage kittens so not suitable for those aged under four months
| Quantity: | 12 x 85g |
| Flavours: | Meat (loaf, gravy and jelly texture) |
| Ingredients: | Meat and animal derivatives, vegetable protein extracts, derivatives of vegetable origin, cereals, minerals, oils and fats, yeasts, various sugars |
- Enriched with omega-3 fatty acids
- Soft texture for baby teeth
- Immune system support
Best affordable wet kitten food
Whiskas/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Feed your kitten a 100 per cent complete and balanced meal, with no artificial flavours or colours, thanks to Whiskas Kitten Pouches Poultry Feasts in Jelly. Trusted by thousands around the country as one of the best cat foods for kittens, Whiskas kitten food promotes healthy growth for your furry friend. Suitable for cats aged 2 to 12 months, it supports the development of strong bones. Pet owners who have chosen to feed this to their kittens say that they absolutely devour the food, adding that the bowls are licked clean every single time.
Available in most supermarkets and online, Whiskas kitten food is easy to buy if you ever find yourself short.
Pros
- Good value
- Variety
Cons
- Some reviews say that the food looks bland
| Quantity: | 85g (12 pack) |
| Flavours: | Chicken, Duck, Poultry and Turkey |
| Ingredients: | Chicken Meat and Animal Derivatives (37%, including 4% Chicken in the Chunk*), Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars, *Chunk typically 43% of product |
| Duck Meat and Animal Derivatives (37%, including 4% Duck in the Chunk*), Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars, *Chunk typically 43% of product | |
| Poultry Meat and Animal Derivatives (37%, including 4% Poultry in the Chunk*), Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars, *Chunk typically 43% of product | |
| Turkey Meat and Animal Derivatives (37%, including 4% Turkey in the Chunk*), Cereals, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Various Sugars, *Chunk typically 43% of product |
- Readily available
- Suitable from two months old
- 100 per cent complete
Best luxury wet kitten food
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Treat your kitten to a premium diet from Lily's Kitchen, founded in 2009. The brand 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 and is grain-free. It's proper food for growing kittens. So, if you want to splash out on your bundle of fur, look no further. Customers who have chosen this food say that their little kittens gulp them down, and as well as being full of quality ingredients, their coats have become so glossy. The only downside is that one tray a day may be enough as they are quite rich, so may need to also feed them some dry food.
Pros
- Easy to eat and has a high meat content
- Quality ingredients
Cons
- Limited flavours for kittens so they could get a little bored
| Quantity: | 85g (8 pack) |
| Flavours: | Chicken, Chicken and Cod with Salmon |
| Ingredients: | Chicken, Trout, Pork, Beef, Minerals, Salmon Oil, Algae |
| Chicken, Cod, Salmon, Pork, Minerals, Salmon Oil, Algae |
- Natural ingredients
- Made with proper meat, offal and fish
- No added sugar
- Grain free
Best grain-free wet kitten food
Blink!/Pets At Home www.petsathome.com
Blink! makes all its meals in the UK using natural ingredients and lots of premium quality meat and fish fillets. Blink! Wet Kitten Food Chicken and Fish Premium Fillets in Jelly contains no grains, salt or sugar and is full of natural ingredients and nutrients that your kitten needs for strong bones, a healthy immune system, and bright eyes. If you're after a food that is good quality, this option is 100 per cent meat and broth with no derivatives, so you'll find your kitten will absolutely love it. The reviews say it all.
Pros
- Easy to digest
- Suitable for kittens aged two months onwards
Cons
- One reviewer felt the recipe was too rich for her kitty
| Quantity: | 85g (8 pack) |
| Flavours: | Chicken, Chicken and Turkey, Tuna and Tuna and Salmon |
| Ingredients: | British Chicken Fillets, Chicken Broth, Salmon Oil, Vitamins and Minerals |
| British Chicken Fillets, British Turkey Fillets, Chicken Broth, Salmon Oil, Vitamins and Minerals | |
| Flaked Tuna Fillets, Fish Broth, Salmon Oil, Vitamins and Minerals | |
| Flaked Tuna Fillets, Flaked Salmon Fillets, Broth, Salmon Oil, Vitamins and Minerals |
- No grains, salt or sugar
- Locally sourced and made in the UK
- Complete recipes
Best wet kitten food recommended by vets
AVA/Pets At Home www.petsathome.com
AVA Optimum Health 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, as well as all you need to promote overall well-being, including a gorgeous shiny coat and brain function development. AVA Kitten food is also the only food on this list that is suitable for kittens 1-month-old until 12 months.
One happy customer said, "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
- Vets recommended
Cons
- Just one flavour so kitties may get bored easily
| Quantity: | 85g (12 pack) |
| Flavours: | Chicken |
| 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 |
- Hypoallergenic and grain free
- Suitable for kittens 1-12 months
Best all-round wet kitten food
Pro Plan/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Made of tender turkey chunks in delicious gravy, Pro Plan Nutrisavour Wet Kitten Food Turkey not only provides high-quality immunity but also helps support kidney health. The food also contains DHA from fish oil for healthy brain and eye development and balanced minerals for strong bones and teeth.
The food has 17 five-star reviews on Viovet's website, with customers loving that it is good value for money and contains loads of natural ingredients that help with their kitten's gut health in the most important months. However, some reviews say that the food can be tricky to get hold of sometimes, especially as you need to start by feeding 1 to 4 pouches per day.
Pros
- Made with protein-rich tender turkey chunks
- The ideal balance of nutrition and taste
Cons
- Could have a higher meat content
| Quantity: | 85g (10 pack) |
| Flavours: | Turkey in gravy |
| Ingredients: | Meat and animal derivatives, vegetable protein extracts, fish and fish derivatives, oils and fats, minerals, derivatives of vegetable origin, various sugars |
- Natural ingredients
- Made with protein-rich tender turkey chunks
- Specially designed nutrient profile
Best wet kitten food to feed with dry
Best wet kitten food to feed with dry
Applaws/Amazon Applaws tins are created with natural ingredients and are specifically designed for kittens. It is recommended that this food is mixed with dry food for a complete and balanced diet. Applaws Kitten Multipack Chicken and Fish Selection in Broth contains meat, fish and rice with a vegetable gelling agent. It's best served in conjunction with a complete dry food so your kitty is getting a full range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Pros
- Flakes are gentle on baby teeth
- Natural source of high-quality Omega 3 and Omega 6
Cons
- Smaller portions compared to other wet kitten foods on our list
| Quantity: | 70g (6 pack) |
| Flavours: | Tuna fillet, Tuna filler with Salmon, Tuna fillet with Seaweed |
| Ingredients: | Chicken, Rice, Vegetable Gelling Agent |
| Tuna Fillet, Rice Flour, Vegetable Gelling Agent | |
| Sardine: Sardine, Rice, Vegetable Gelling Agent |
- Sustainable and recyclable packaging
- 60 Percent Fish and Chicken
- Over a thousand reviews
FAQs
What can you feed a kitten?
Giving them the nutrition and protein they need to support them through their growing stages is probably the highest thing on the list of what to buy for a kitten. That's why looking for the best kitten food available in the UK should be the top priority before bringing your new bundle of fluff home.
Unless your kitten has a medical condition that requires a specific diet, whether you feed them dry or wet kitten food is up to you, and of course, your new kitten gets a say. We’ll cover the benefits of both to help you decide what’s best for your new furry friend.
Let's focus on the benefits of wet kitten food:
Wet kitten food:
• Stronger and more appealing aroma for your kitten – they may prefer the smell and texture.
• Increased water intake for your kitten.
• Single-serve pouches can be very convenient and easy to serve.
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. And if you want to make feeding your kitten a whole lot more convenient, you may like to consider a cat food subscription, where a diet is tailor-made for your pet and delivered to your door.
What human food can kittens eat?
Cats are predominantly meat eaters, and they get all their nutrients from their own food, but there are certain human foods you can give them as an occasional treat. Alongside wet cat food and dry cat food, your kitten or young cat can enjoy little bits of the following foods.
Meat
Beef, chicken, turkey, liver and lamb are all ok for your cat to eat. It is important that you take great care when serving to make sure the meat’s cooked through – never give cats raw meat – and remove all skin and bones before feeding your cat.
Fish
Cats are known to love fish, and they can eat most types. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your cat's overall health and may also be beneficial for those with arthritis and kidney disease. As with meats, make sure the fish is properly cooked, and all the bones are removed, and never ever give your cat raw fish.
Eggs
Cats can enjoy a small portion of cooked eggs (scrambled or boiled), which are full of amino acids and protein, so they make a healthy treat. Never feed them raw eggs.
Vegetables
Cats and veg don't really get on, but if your moggy loves a bit of carrot, don't worry because they offer lots of vitamins, fibre and water. A few safe vegetables cats can eat are cucumber, steamed broccoli, carrots, asparagus and peas.
What should kitten owners avoid when it comes to kitten food?
We asked Samantha Prior, Cat Advisor at Woodgreen Pets Charity, if there was anything to avoid when it comes to researching and buying kitten food and she said, "Avoid food containing colourants or that use lots of preservatives that aren’t natural. Cats and kittens are unable to process lactose so giving them any milk should also be avoided. If you’d like to give them something similar, look for specific cat milk that you’ll find available in various pet shops and supermarkets.
"However, this should only be given as a treat and not as a replacement for fresh water. It’s often better to avoid feeding kittens any human food, but that said, if you want to give them a small treat from time to time, then small pieces of cooked chicken are often a firm favourite."
This article contains expert advice from Samantha Prior at Woodgreen Pets Charity in Godmanchester rehoming centre, one of the largest in Europe.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and 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.