Best Hard Food For Kittens

We Looked For Brands With Excellent Reputations

Remember that youre relying on the cat food company to provide your cat the nutrition they need to stay healthy and vibrant potentially for the rest of their life.

You need a company and a brand that you can trust. While it doesnt tell us everything about the brand, a companys recall history provides key insights into its ethics, safety standards, and the quality of its products.

If a company faces voluntary, or worsemandatoryrecalls every five years, purchasing from that company could subject your cat to three or more potentially harmful slip-ups during their lifetime.

A communicative, transparent company isnt afraid to share information with their customers. We gauged the quality of cat food companies by contacting their customer support lines and evaluating their customer service. We gave preference to companies that responded promptly and were willing to provide key information.

Additionally, we paid attention to what other customers were saying about the brand. Through social media, blogging, reviews on retail platforms, and sites like Consumer Reports, consumers can easily share their complaints or praises with the world.

We read these reviews and used them to assess the customer experience.

Heres What We Looked For In The Best Kitten Food

When we asked about his recommendations for the best kitten food, Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH emphasized that its very important to choose a food formulated for kittens because they require different nutrients for growth. Kittens require more calories per day than adult cats. These calories go into growth as well as the higher level of activity kittens have. Kittens generally have double the calorie needs per day compared to an adult cat. Kitten foods also have a different ratio of minerals compared to adult foods to assist with their bone growth.

In addition to looking for foods that were properly formulated for kittens, we sought products with certain key qualities, including high protein and fat content, appropriate levels of DHA, and more.

This is in line with veterinarian Dr. Chyrle Bonks recommendations. She explained that youll want to make sure any kitten food is fortified with DHA for healthy brain development, adding that kitten food should also be higher in protein and fat than the adult version in order to fuel their growing bodies, and choose one with smaller-sized kibble so that they can easily get their tiny mouths around it.

At A Glance: Top 11 Best Healthy Dry Cat Foods To Buy

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• Dr. Elizabeth Youens, DVM

In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.

We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by All About Cats without direct input or influence from the companies involved.

Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that youre only putting the best in your cats bowl.

To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the view lab report link in the product review.

Based on that research, were bringing you an updated list of the best cat food brands and products in the industry. The following foods earn their place with outstanding ingredient quality, nutritional merits, and safety records.

Because it defies stereotypes with its low starch content, lack of legumes, and generous doses of species-appropriate protein, weve selected Dr. Elseys cleanprotein kibble as the best dry cat food on the market.

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What Cat Food Is Best For My Cat

Which type or brand of cat food is ideal for your cat depends on its age, lifestyle and overall health. If you’re unsure which food to choose, it’s best to consult a veterinarian who can give you brand recommendations and help you organize a diet plan.

Understanding your cats nutritional needs

Since cats are carnivores, their diets should include high-quality protein, paired with healthy fats and only a small amount of carbohydrates. Most of the nutrients your cat needs for optimal health should come from animal sources, like chicken or fish.

Animal-based proteins are easier to digest and guarantee your cat won’t lack essential nutrients like taurine, an essential amino acid not available in plants. Humans and dogs can produce taurine on their own, but cats can’t, and so they must get it from meat. A lack of taurine can lead to digestive, heart, and immune system issues, for example.

Cats may digest certain plant-based ingredients, but these shouldn’t make up most of their diet. For example, peas and sweet potatoes are often included in cat foods as vitamin and fiber supplements.

It’s important to take your cat to regular vet checkups as some illnesses may change their nutritional requirements. Cats with kidney disease, for example, require less protein. Obesity is another health ailment that requires diet adjustments. Your vet can recommend an ideal food type and weight control regimen.

What to watch out for when shopping for cat food

Dry Cat Food Fat Substance

Fats, preferably animal fats, are essential ingredients in your kittens diet. These fats are among the primary sources of energy for felines, as they help absorb certain vitamins and minerals. Essential omega fatty acids aid in a healthy coat and skin. The dry food that you choose should ideally have a fat content of 15%-20%.

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We Paid Attention To Protein Quality

We chose diets that emphasized animal-sourced protein rather than protein from plants. Meat contains all the amino acids that cats need, while plant protein doesnt. And while we dont have all the details on the bioavailability of every protein source, it appears that most plant proteins are less digestible than their high-quality animal protein counterparts.

Additionally, animal by-products may contain a slurry of minimally-digestible animal parts, including connective tissue, intestines, and skin. While by-products arent necessarily worse than clearly-named cuts of meat, they introduce a degree of uncertainty about protein quality.

Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, veterinary writer for ExcitedCats, advises that cat owners check the ingredients list on the label and be sure that the food you choose uses real, whole meat as at least the first ingredient, preferably first two to three. Whole meat is more easily digestible and provides all of the necessary protein for a cat.

Get Your Kitten Off To The Best Start For Their Long And Happy Life With You

Congratulations are in order! Youve welcomed a new tiny friend into your home, and were here to help you get that bundle of fur to grow up into a healthy and strong cat.

Now they wont be tiny for long, thats for sure, within 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. Give them the nutrition and protein they need to support them through their growing stages, with the best kitten food available in the UK.

Support your pet with the best nutritious and enriching kitten food diet available and give them the best start to life with you.

Related:The best wet cat food for even the pickiest of pets

Knowing what to feed your kitten can be a struggle, especially if theyre your first. Well go through the benefits of dry and wet cat food, as well as our top picks, so you can spend more time with your furry friend, instead of worrying about their diet.

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The Best Dry Food For Kittens

When youre choosing kibble for your kitten, check the label to make sure its formulated for kittens. Look for wording that indicates the food meets the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials Profiles for growth or for all life stages.AAFCO members regulate pet food at the federal and state level.

Keep in mind that while giant bags of food may be a bargain, dry kitten food should be consumed within two months of opening the package. Store your kittens dry food in a cool, dry location away from sunlight to prevent spoiling. Keep the original bag or container tightly closed.

Our list below includes popular, high-quality dry foods from basic and premium brands, so theres something to fit every kitten parents budget. And all of these kitten foods have received rave reviews from buyers.

Best For Kittens: Orijen Biologically Appropriate Cat Food

Amazon

Weight: 11.9 pounds| Form: Dry | Flavor: Cat & Kitchen | Life Stage: All

• 85 to 90 percent animal-derived ingredients

If you’ve got a kitten at home, we recommend Orijen Biologically Appropriate Cat Food . It’s formulated with fresh, whole ingredients like free-range chicken, cage-free eggs, and wild-caught fish, providing your developing kitten with the nutrients they need to grow. Also, you won’t find any grains in the ingredients list, which some owners prefer to avoid. All components of the recipe are selected with your feline’s biological needs in mind.

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Best Dry Cat Food For A Lustrous Coat

The best dry food for cats has more to offer than just nutrition some help with a little kitty glamour, like a more lustrous coat. Did you know your cats coat is composed mainly of protein? If a cats diet lacks adequate, high-quality animal protein, their coat may be more predisposed to falling out or being dry, weak, and brittle, says Dr. Bernal. She suggests Wellness CORE RawRev. The recipe contains one of the highest protein amounts sourced from animal-based ingredients and optimal amounts of omega 6 and 3 fatty acids. This combination ensures that a cats coat both looks and feels great. The purring you hear while hes grooming may not be contentmentheres why cats really purr. And make sure you know which common foods are toxic to cats before you feed them.

Via Chewy.com

If Your Cat Has A Small Appetite

A trick to attract pets to food is to soak the kibbles with warm water. As the fats warm, a delicious aroma is given out.

It is this wonderful aroma that attracts the pets to the food. Warm food temperatures also attract cats. Since they are hunters by nature, this imitates prey, which is usually warm when caught.

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Should You Feed A Dry Or Wet Kitten Food

Cat experts and veterinary sources generally say that very young kittens need to have at least some canned food as part of their diet. Young kittens have tiny teeth and they cant chew hard, dry food very well. Without some canned food in their diet they wont get enough calories and nutrition to grow the way they should.

Cat experts today recommend that cats and kittens should eat a good canned food for several reasons:

• Canned foods have more meat protein, which cats need.
• Canned foods have more moisture, which is also important for cats because they are prone to developing urinary tract problems if they dont get enough moisture in their diet.
• Canned foods have fewer carbohydrates. Foods high in carbohydrates have been associated with weight gain and diabetes in cats in recent years.

The primary reason most people feed a dry cat or kitten food is for convenience. Dry foods can be nutritious but they are still not recommended as highly for cats and kittens as canned/wet foods. So, if possible, we recommend feeding your kitten primarily a wet food.

Best Dry Food For Overweight Cats

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention survey, a whopping 60 percent of American cats are overweight or obese. Too much of even the best dry foods for cats could be contributing to those overstuffed fluffy bellies they may be loveable, but its just not healthy to be chunky. Excess weight can cause serious health issues like diabetes. Dr.VanDuzer recommends Royal Canin Feline Weight Care. Most cats love to eat so the reduced fat and special blend of L-carnitine and fiber help to make your cat feel more full with a reduced volume of food. And adding some fun physical activity could help her shed some weightheres how to train your cat to walk on a leash.

Via Chewy.com

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How We Chose The Top Kitten Foods

Weve vetted hundreds of products to help you select the top premium pet products for your furry family member.

Before recommending any pet products, weve analyzed and reviewed them based on the following factors:

• Customer reviews: We read at least 100 customer reviews for every product in our lineup, considering pain points and advantages cited by pet parents.
• Ratings: Each product we recommend has a high amount of verified customer ratings on sites such as Chewy and Google and earned high average ratings.
• Brand research: We conducted research into each brand to assess its reputation in the pet industry.
• Features: We compare products based on their key features, customization options, and other factors related to performance.

Our data points and review content are regularly updated to account for shifts in customer consensus, product availability, and overall quality.

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Is Milk Good For Kittens

This may come as a surprise, but cow’s milk actually isn’t good for kittens and you should avoid giving your little girl any dairy products, including milk, yogurt, and cheese.

But don’t cats like milk? Yes, this is completely possiblemany kitties enjoy the taste of warm milk or a bite of cheddar now and then. But just because something tastes good doesn’t necessarily mean it does the body good!

Just look at the kinds of foods humans love to gobble up: processed junk, candy, soda, etc. That stuff is yummy, but can make us very ill! Same goes for many foods and their impact on feline health.

Here’s a little more info to help you get why milk isn’t good for kittens:

Just like their human parents, kittens and cats aren’t able to fully digest proteins and enzymes found in milk. To be clear, we’re talking about COW’s milk here, or any type of dairy you can get at the store. We are NOT talking about feline mother’s milk, which kittens love to drink and is good for them!

Store bought dairy products can give your kitten intestinal problems like diarrhea, upset stomach, gas, and vomiting, so avoid feeding them to her. No, it’s not toxic, but it won’t make her feel good. Once your kitty is 8 weeks old or older, she doesn’t even really need her mother’s milk anymore. At this point, you can transition her to a diet exclusively for kittens.

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We Looked For Dry Cat Food Sold By Reputable Companies

When researching potential inclusions, we looked up every brands recall history and disqualified those with a history of frequent recalls, deception, or secrecy.

Additionally, we studied each brands customer reputation. We referred to Consumer Affairs and product listings to learn more about customers experiences. We also got first-hand experience with the brands customer service by contacting the companies directly. A two-minute phone call can tell you a lot about a cat food company. We gave preference to brands that offered prompt, transparent service.

It Meets Aafco Standards

The Association of American Feed Control Officials is an organization that sets nutrition standards for pet food.

For your cats food to be considered complete and balanced, these standards need to be met. So when youre looking for dry cat food, keep your eyes peeled for a disclaimer on the label that says the food meets AAFCO standards.

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Best Overall Cat Food

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Faqs About Dry Cat Food

Whats the difference between freeze-dried raw food and regular dry cat food?

How much dry food should my cat eat?The packaging should have feeding suggestions based on your cats weight range. Most cats can meet their daily dietary requirements from two meals a day. Because of individual health factors, itd be a good idea to get guidance from your veterinarian.

How long can I keep dry cat food?Since dry kibble doesnt have to be refrigerated, it can be safely left out all day. As for storage, you can keep dry cat food for months if its in a tightly closed plastic container and put somewhere cool and dry.

Whats better: wet or dry cat food?It really depends on your cats individual preferences however, since kibble doesnt have the moisture content wet food has, you should make sure your cat has access to plenty of water. You could even add water to dry cat food for extra hydration and to make it easier to chew.

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