Kittens and cats are obligate carnivores because they rely on animal-based proteins to provide essential nutrients, including amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that animals cannot synthesize, so they must obtain them through their diets. Taurine is one of 11 essential amino acids felines must get from their diet, and their only source of taurine is animal-based proteins. "If cats don't eat enough meat, they won't get enough taurine," says Kornreich. Along with other essential vitamins and minerals, taurine promotes normal heart function, vision, immune function, and digestion in cats.

Yes, kitten food is vital for the growth and overall health of your kitten. It is recommended to keep feeding your kitten on kitten food until 1 year of age. Is kitten food good for older cats?

The right food keeps your kitten pleased and helps them grow. Our guide to the best kitten food will give them the best start in life

We use the term ‘budget’ advisably here, as good quality kitten food isn’t cheap. But it is vitally important to give your bundle of fluff the best start in life and not skimp on quality food. Hill’s Science Plan is slightly cheaper than other wet foods, particularly as the brand recommends that you only feed a pouch a day and supplement with their dry food to make up a kitten’s daily recommended amount. As you’ll no doubt imagine, this food is expensive but can be priceless if your kitten is struggling with digestive issues or finding themselves unable to transition from milk to solids.

Kittens are born without teeth but grow a full set of baby (deciduous) teeth between 3 to 6 weeks of age. By 3 to 6 months, those baby teeth fall out and are replaced with adult teeth. Kittens have all the same types of teeth as humans do, just sharper for their carnivorous diet. Our experts give high marks to wet kitten food. However, it can be on the pricier side when compared to budget-friendly kibble. While Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a board-certified cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, can't recommend specific brands, he says that high-quality affordable wet kitten food is on the shelves. Brands may use less expensive ingredients to keep costs down, but that doesn't mean they've sacrificed quality. Wet kitten food is the most natural way to keep your little one hydrated while meeting their nutritional needs. These foods contain 75% to 78% moisture whereas dry foods contain 10% to 12% moisture. "Cats prefer to get their water from their food," says Zoran. Like all of the best cat food, canned options must meet nutrition requirements set by the AAFCO for the growth (kitten) stage or all life stages, including a minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat on a "dry matter" or moisture-free basis. To select the best kitten foods for this guide, we consulted a veterinary nutritionist and a director of feline health.Dr. Deb Zoranis a board-certified small animal internist and professor of small animal clinical sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Zoran helped us understand kitten nutrition and the attributes of a quality food. She also shared her personal feeding preferences, which may not represent specific endorsements shared by Texas A&M University. As kittens need plenty of protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins for healthy development, we also consider the nutritional content of each food we test. Every recommendation on this list will provide your kitten with what it needs for healthy development whether it’s dry kibble or wet pouches. PRO PLAN LIVECLEAR Sterilised Adult offers an outstanding complete and great-tasting nutrition for the long-term health of your cat as it helps maintain their urinary health and ideal body weight as well as helps promote healthy kidneys. Our main reviewer volunteers for a cat rescue charity, meaning that at certain times of year there are litters of kittens available to test kitten food. We gave each brand of food to a selection of kittens who had been weaned from their mother and were ready to try solid food. We’ll answer all these questions in our buying guide below, or if you already know how to feed your kitten, you can skip straight down to view our best kitten food recommendations.

Make sure your kitten always has access to water but ensure your water dish is no more than two inches high while the kitten is small to keep them safe when drinking. Chunks-in-gravy kitten food is a mix of tender bites of protein and nutritious liquid. Biting into soft chunks is no problem for a kitten with teeth, but smooth pâté might be better suited for their very first bites. We’re big fans of Purina’s cat food, which seems to appeal to a wide range of palettes. The Pro Plan Nutrisavour Kitten food has been developed with good ingredients to make sure your kitten gets the correct balance of nutrients to help them grow and develop their vital functions. This balanced blend also helps to keep your kitten at their ideal weight, which is particularly important during the early stages. It also contains DHA from fish oil for brain and eye development, alongside minerals for strong bones and teeth. With no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, this dry food is salmon flavoured and highly appealing to small kittens. We also like the fact that it’s grain-free, so suitable for more delicate tummies, as well as wheat, beef, pork and dairy-free, so it shouldn’t exacerbate any allergies. Our kittens enjoyed the taste of these biscuits, but if your kitten is fussy about flavours, Jollyes also make a turkey flavour – but it’s worth noting that this isn’t grain-free, unfortunately. Dr. Bruce Kornreich is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. While Cornell University does not endorse specific brands, Kornreich helped us understand what makes a high-quality kitten food and what to avoid.

Kittens are full of energy and play, accompanied by epic snoozing sessions! The best kitten food will contain the correct nutrients, minerals and vitamins, ensuring that your pets grow up healthy and strong. At this critical stage, you should give your kittens food made from quality ingredients to aid their development and growth. Don’t overload the bowl with too much food at once, as it may overwhelm a kitten and put them off eating. 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. Cats are obligate carnivores because they require animal proteins for essential nutrients. Therefore, animal protein should always be the first ingredient in a cat food. While 30% is the minimum amount of protein required for growth, Zoran says a diet abundant in fat and protein can benefit a kitten's developing gastrointestinal tract and high-energy demands. Reach for foods with a crude protein of 40% on a dry matter basis. Kitten food won’t do much harm to your older cat, however, it is worth noting that it is much higher in calories than that of adult cat food. Kitten food also contains much more nutrients and proteins which are all added to the food for optimal growth and development. Is kitten food different from cat food?