It's important that kittens are fed a well-balanced, nutritious diet that's specially designed for growing cats.

Kittens have different nutrient requirements from adult cats, and kitten or junior foods are formulated to provide all the essential nutrients for normal growth and bone development.

A kitten is considered to be an adult at 1 year old and will then need to switch to a complete and balanced adult cat food.

How Often to Feed Kittens

Kittens need their rapid growth and development supported by a nutrient-dense diet that provides twice the energy of an adult cat diet.

The food can be wet or dry, as long as it has a high animal-based protein content. Kittens have small tummies, so they will need to be fed small meals 3 or 4 times a day.

Overfeeding growing kittens and cats can lead to severe and permanent damage to their bones and joints. The aim should always be for steady, controlled growth. An overfed young cat may remain overweight, with bone and joint problems later in life.

When to Transition to Adult Cat Food

Kittens go through a rapid growth which lasts until they're around 6 months old. As they reach 6-12 months old, their nutrient requirements change. Their rate of growth slows, and they can eat fewer but larger meals.

When your bundle of fluff is 10 to 12 months of age, they can make the switch from kitten to adult food, which is less nutrient-dense and calorie-dense. This applies to most breeds apart from those that reach maturity later.

Larger cat breeds may not reach maturity until they’re 18 months to 2 years of age. So, for breeds like the Maine Coon, kitten food is still fine until they’re at least 18 months old.

How to  Transition to Adult Cat Food

The best kitten food is higher in calories and more nutrient-rich than adult cat food, with a higher protein and fat content. This means you'll need to change the number of meals and portion sizes as well as making the transition from kitten to adult food.

The feeding guide on your pet food manufacturer's packaging will provide information on how much to feed your kitten to ensure they're getting enough vitamins and minerals while supporting healthy kitten weight gain.

A sudden change in diet can cause tummy upsets, so it's best to make any changes gradually. To keep their digestive systems happy, gradually introduce new foods by mixing them into their current diet.

Day-by-Day Guide on Switching Your Kitten to Adult Food

When you're moving your kitten to adult cat food, it's best to start by mixing one quarter of the new food to their usual diet, gradually transition by increasing the amount over 7-10 days:

• Days 1-2: 75% old food, 25% new food
• Days 3-4: 50% kitten food, 50% new adult food
• Days 5-7: 25% kitten food, 75% new adult food
• Days 8-10: 100% new adult food

Making the transition slowly will also increase the chances that the new food will be accepted. Cats can be fussy about what they eat, so you may have to try different foods before you find one they like.

What About Wet and Dry Food for Cats?

If you've been using dry kitten food, try wet food instead. Wet kitten food contains a higher water content, which they may enjoy more. Or you may have to try another brand. Always check that the food matches your cat's lifestage.

Feeding Your Cat for Healthy Weight Gain

Cats generally are free-feeders – they'll only eat what they need. They also prefer to eat small meals and often. So if there's an amount of food left in their bowl, don't worry. Make sure their weight and body condition scores are monitored regularly to check they're at the optimum weight for their age and breed.

As your cat gets older they're usually less likely to run around and use up a lot of energy, so they can become overweight if overfed. If they've put on too much weight, you may need to cut down on their portion sizes.

How to Know if Your Cat or Kitten is a Healthy Weight?

To make sure your kitten is growing at a healthy rate, they should be weighed and have their body condition scored regularly. Their growth can be recorded on a chart to check that they're putting on weight at the correct rate. Too rapid a growth rate should be avoided to prevent bone and joint problems later in life.

Avoid overfeeding, and always feed a food from a reputable manufacturer that is appropriate for your cat's age and breed to help prevent weight gain. Your vet can help you select the best food for cats and kittens, and instruct you on what a healthy cat's weight is.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis

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