Choosing The Right Food For Your Adult Cat
With so many options out there, it can be pretty complicated knowing which ones to try and which ones to avoid.
Its important to find the best cat food that offers your feline the same high-quality nutrition as their kitten food used to. For happy and healthy adult cats, you should consider the following things:
- Have high-quality ingredients been used to make the food?
- Does it provide a complete and balanced diet with appropriate levels of protein, fat, fibre, vitamins, and minerals?
- Has the brand met or exceeded the regulatory standards?
No matter what the packaging says, your cat will in fact be the best indicator as to whether a particular type of food is purr-fect for them. Be sure to look out for:
- Bright eyes and clean teeth
- Small, firm, stools
Newborn Kitten Age: 0
During this stage, most kittens rely on their mothers milk as their only source of nutrition. If their mother is present, you wont need to feed kittens at alltheyll know how to feed themselves! That said, if youve rescued an orphaned kitten, youll need to bottle feed him. Kittens require a kitten milk replacer, which replicates the nutrition found in mother cats milk. Do not feed a kitten cows milkit doesnt have the right nutritional balance to nourish a newborn kitten.
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What Makes A Food Suitable For Kittens
Kittens are constantly growing and require a diet that is formulated to meet their nutritional needs and supports proper growth and development. This includes appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals, amino acids, protein, fat, and more. Other nutritional elements significant to a kittens diet include antioxidants to support a strong immune system, higher protein and calorie content for energy, and DHA, an omega fatty acid, for healthy vision and brain development.
When choosing a food for your kitten, look for the following on the label:
- Complete and balanced
- All Life Stages
These statements indicate that the diet is suitable for kittens according to AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.
When feeding your kitten, be sure to check feeding guidelines on the bag and consult with your veterinarian to make sure your kitten is getting enough food. Kittens can benefit from eating 3-4 smaller meals per day.
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When Can Kittens Eat Dry Food Only
Most vets recommend a dry and wet food diet, as cats tend to under-consume water, and wet food can help keep them hydrated. Speak to your vet to ensure a dry food-only diet is appropriate for your kitty. If that’s the case, kittens can start to have the best dry cat food at around three to four weeks, but they are fully weaned from their mother’s milk by six to eight weeks and can eat just kitten food.
Why Do Kittens Require A Special Diet
It is not proper to feed a kitten any form of food until she is ready to start weaning. When kittens are around a month old, theyre normally ready to be weaned, though its usually up to the mama cat to decide. All a newborn kitten needs are milk from the mother to keep healthy and become strong. Optionally, a formula from a kitten milk replacer can be used instead of milk in the case of an absent queen.
Adult cat food is not necessary nor beneficial at this time.
When pet owners look at all the food options, they may worry which ones their cat is allowed to eat. Kittens, on the other hand, require a completely different diet than adult cats. Young kittens have a lot of energy and need a diet that can keep up with them jumping and playing all day.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, kittens have two to three times the energy of an adult cat. The protein in their diet accounts for up to 30% of their total energy. Overall, this indicates that kitten food will require much more protein than adult cat food.
However, this isnt the only variation in the diet. During their first year of life, kittens are prone to growing larger and at a faster rate.
Growing at this rate will necessitate more nutrition, protein, and vitamins than an adult cat requires. Kittens require a different diet than adult cats because of the way they grow and metabolize their food.
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Is It Normal For Cats To Beg For Food
It can be normal for cats to beg for food. In fact, cats can beg for food whether theyre particularly hungry or not, just out of habit. However, before you dismiss or ignore your cats begging for food, check out the reasons why they might be acting hungrier than normal since there are a few medical reasons.
When To Stop Feeding Kitten Food
The age at which a kitten reaches adulthood can vary by breed and other factors. Typically, kittens will be fully grown by age 1 and you should stop feeding kitten food and switch to an adult diet then. Its important to stop feeding kitten-specific food when the time is right and transition to an adult diet so your cat does not become overweight.
When switching from kitten to adult cat food, do so as a gradual transition over 7-10 days as changing your cats food too quickly can cause stomach upset. Always introduce the new food by slowly mixing it with the current diet.
Days 1-3: 75% kitten food | 25% adult foodDays 4-6: 50% kitten food | 50% adult foodDays 7-9: 25% kitten food | 75% adult foodDay 10: 100% adult food
Many kitten foods are nutritionally formulated to meet the needs of both kittens and adult cats so always refer to the label for the AAFCO nutritional statement!
Stella & Chewys offers a variety of raw and kibble diets that are formulated to meet your kittens needs. Learn more about choosing a diet for your kitten.
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Set Up A Feeding Station
This is a great solution for kittens and cats that are a bit on the shy side when it comes to eating, especially for strays that might need to feel completely safe in order to eat. If youre a creative person you could build a feeding station from wood, or other materials youre comfortable using.
You could also use your kittens carrier as a place where they can eat without the attention of the older cat, and of course, they wont be able to steal food that isnt formulated for their needs. Enclosed litterboxes can also work great, where instead of a litterbox, you can place their food and water bowl.
Of course, youll still have to make sure that your kitten is eating their own food, but with training based on positive reinforcement, you can make this feeding station their favorite place! Which in turn could help them love kitten food more than they love adult food!
How To Stop My Kitten Form Stealing The Older Cats Food
Raising a kitten when you already have an older cat comes with a set of challenges and one of them is the feeding process. This might not concern those few lucky cat owners whose cats stick to their own food bowls, but if your cats are anything like mine then your kitten will need extra attention during mealtimes!
This kitty for example doesnt seem to have much energy for stealing!
But if yours does then I think its time we take a look at the few steps that can help keep all parties happy and well-fed!
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How Much Should You Feed Your Kittens
As with any pet, their feeding needs develop with their age and owners should be mindful not to overfeed, or underfeed, their young kittens.
“Very young kittens have big growth needs but smaller stomachs, so they can be fed three-four times a day. ” Keiger said.
Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, DVM, Bond Vet’s Medical Director agreed, telling Newsweek: “Good quality kitten foods should have a feeding guide on the packaging, based on age and weight of the kitten. The amount listed would be the total amount of food they need per day. However, this should be divided into at least two meals per day “
Owners should also bare in mind that every young cat has a unique requirement based on their “individual metabolism, the type of food they are eating, their activity level, and their growth rate.”
“Veterinarians usually don’t restrict food intake for young kittens. Free feeding is typically okay so long as they don’t eat too much at once or start to become overweight “, Fadl said.
Helpful Tips For Switching Your Cat’s Food
Switching cat foods can be challenging but it doesnt have to be. Cats should gradually transition to a new cat food. Follow these tips to help ensure success.
- Begin the transition by mixing both the current food with her new cat food together. Gradually decrease the amount of the current cat food while increasing the amount of new cat food. Continue to do this over a 7-day period. Transitioning slowly can result in fewer digestive issues and better acceptance of the new cat food.
- Remember to be patient. For finicky, older, or cats with health conditions, the transition time could take 10 days or slightly longer.
- Note: In some cases, such as acute gastrointestinal issues, your veterinarian may not recommend a transition and want you to immediately start feeding the new cat food.
To help you with the switch and cat food transition, refer to the 7-Day Transition Schedule below or watch this video.
Special times to transition your cats food
- Kittens should switch to an adult cat food at 12 months of age to ensure they are receiving proper nutrient levels for adult cats.
- For cats who are 7 years or older, they too should change to a mature adult or senior cat food that ensures that they are receiving the appropriate level of nutrients for that older lifestage.
- Pregnant or nursing cats need energy-dense foods with increased calcium content. Be sure to transition them during this special time to a kitten food.
New cat food feeding tips:
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The Importance Of Switching From Kitten Food To Cat Food
Kitten food is designed to support rapid growth and development. In comparison to adult cat food, kitten food generally has:
- More calories, protein, and fat
- Adequate levels of docosahexaenoic acid , an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for brain and vision development
- Increased amounts of some vitamins and minerals
- Optimal calcium to phosphorus ratios
Weight gain is the biggest danger associated with continuing to feed kitten food to an adult cat. While a chonky cat might sound cute, a healthy weight is going to help your cat live a happier, healthier life! The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that almost 60 percent of pet cats are overweight or obese, which puts them at increased risk for many health problems including diabetes, arthritis, and hepatic lipidosis .
When Should I Switch From Kitten Food To Adult
At about 12 months old, its usually time to switch to an adult or maintenance formula cat food. This goes for most breeds, except for the Maine Coon, which does not fully mature until 18 months. When a kitten is fully grown, she no longer needs the extra calories and nutrients found in kitten food, and a maintenance formula is recommended to maintain overall nutritional health. If your feline friend has reached 12 months of age, then its time to start thinking of switching her to an adult diet. However, as with any change in a cats diet, its important to remember to gradually transition your kitten from her usual diet to an adult diet over a period of several days.
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Her Primary Kitten Food
Your kitten should be eating a good quality kitten food or a food labeled for all feline life stages. Even as you introduce her to other foods, this should be her primary food as too many changes can cause digestive upsets. Feel free to change flavors of food but remain within the same brand to maintain some consistency.
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When To Switch From Kitten Food To Cat Food
Most cats are considered kittens until around 12 months of age. Large breeds, like the Maine Coon, can take 18 months to 2 years to reach maturity, though.
During this period of growth and development, kittens need a complete and balanced kitten food. Once theyve reached adulthood , its time to transition to an adult cat food.
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Why You Shouldnt Always Feed Your Cat Fish
Most cats love fish. Adding some broth from a tuna can or picking your cats favorite fish treats is a good way to make your cat happy. But its easy for some cats to become completely fixated on fish if thats all they eat. And while fish can be part of a balanced diet, there are a few specific reasons why you shouldnt always feed fish.
Feeding your cat lots of human-grade wet tuna creates some significant health problems. First, its too high in unsaturated fats, which can cause a Vitamin E deficiency in your cat. Its also not nutritionally balanced, so your cat could end up with a serious thiamine deficiency. So, if you want to feed your cat tuna, use it as a treat and keep it to 10 percent of your cats overall caloric intake.
But what about commercial cat diets? Commercially-made cat diets supplement fish-based foods to make sure theyre safe to feed your cat regularly. But if your cat decides that its the only food theyll eat, it could be difficult if they need to eat a prescription food or becomes allergic to fish.
When to Talk to Your Veterinarian About Feline Food Transitions
Fasting can trigger fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic lipidosis, in cats. This potentially fatal condition can cause depression, muscle wasting, jaundice, drooling and other serious symptoms.
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When & How To Switch From Kitten Food To Adult Cat Food
Around your kittens first birthday , its time to switch to an adult cat food.
We recommend transitioning to adult food over a 7- to 10-day period to help avoid any digestive upset. Heres how:
- Days 1-2: Serve 3/4 of the normal amount of kitten food and add 1/4 of the new adult cat food.
- Days 3-4: Serve half kitten food and half adult cat food.
- Days 5-7: Serve 1/4 kitten food and 3/4 adult cat food.
- Days 8-10: Serve only the new adult cat food.
If your cat resists eating the new food, slow the transition and give her more time before you increase the amount of adult food. Consult with your veterinarian for additional tips on making the switch from kitten food to adult cat food.
For more tips and information on kitten nutrition from our experts, see our Pet Expertise page.
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Are There Foods I Should Avoid Giving My Kitten
Its OK to feed your kitten treats, as long as you follow the 10% calorie rule, Larsen says. This means that treats should make up less than 10% of your kittens total calorie intake. But this doesnt mean its a good idea to turn your leftover table scraps into treats for your kitten. Also, take precautions with the following foods:
- Raw meat or liver may contain parasites and harmful bacteria.
- Raw eggs may contain Salmonella and may decrease absorption of a B vitamin, leading to skin and hair coat problems.
- Raw fish may lead to a B vitamin deficiency, causing loss of appetite, seizures, and even death.
- Milk may cause diarrhea in weaned kittens and cats because they lose the enzyme needed to break down milk.
In addition, onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, tea, raisins, or grapes can be toxic to kittens and cats.
Which Food Should I Choose For My Kitten
You know how long to feed kitten food to your kitten, but which food should you feed them? With plenty of excellent kitten foods on the market, it isnt too difficult to find a quality option, but it can seem baffling at first, especially if this is your first cat.
When your kitten initially comes home, its best to feed them whichever food the breeder or shelter was feeding them, not only because its familiar but to avoid giving them an upset stomach. If you believe that this food is a decent quality, you might want to stick with it until your cat is 12 months old. Otherwise, its fine to switch after a few weeks. When switching cat food, its important to do so gradually over the course of around a week, replacing a small amount of the old food with new each day.
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When To Wean Kittens
Normally, the kitten weaning process begins at about four weeks of age. With mom, theyll start to try to eat her food, and shell push them away from her, says Benson. But if youre weaning a kitten that has been orphaned, you can start a little earlier, between three and four weeks.
When they start biting and chewing on the bottle, theyre ready, says Benson. At this point, you can start to introduce kitten food.