Purina Pro Plan Kitten Favorites
Best variety kitten food
Many kitten food brands these days tend to stick to one or two products that they identify as the best things you should be feeding your little meow machine. This is a great approach that allows a consumer to know, pretty much, exactly what theyre getting but for the little ones, it can get a bit samey. Purinas Prop Plan Kitten Favorites variety pack has 3 flavors to choose from. Variety is the spice of life after all.
The three flavors, Chicken & Liver, Ocean Whitefish & Tuna, and Salmon & Oceanfish are made with real poultry and fish as the number one ingredient. They add taurine for eyesight and DHA for brain development, as well as a blend of vitamins and nutrients to develop a healthy immune system.
There is a slight difference in protein and fat between the chicken and fish flavors with the Chicken & Liver having slightly less protein and slightly more fat but all within what works for healthy kitten growth.
However, some people have had trouble with larger meat chunks in the pate, meaning their kittens struggle or give up. Not all kittens have a problem with larger chunks, but if yours do, this might be one to wait until theyre a little bigger.
The Best Cat Food On The Market: Our Top Picks
At the top of the list is Smalls Cat Food. Its hard to beat this wet foods combination of outstanding protein content, emphasis on animal-sourced ingredients, and exclusion of additives that might harm your cat over time.
Though it satisfies our requirements for the best wet cat food, this product isnt perfect for everyone. Our product roundup includes options for cats and people of all kinds.
Youll find raw foods, products well-suited to cats with sensitive stomachs, and options that will help your cat lose weight.
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain
Another grain-free dry food worth considering is Nulos chicken and cod recipe.
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Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Whole Peas
Nutritional Profile
In addition to an all-meat line up across the first four ingredients , we like the attention that Nulo pays to the shape of their kibble pieces. Each piece is manufactured in a small disc shape with a softer texture, making it easier for kittens to bite and chew.
What the owners are saying?
I love this food because the pieces are tiny! My girl doesnt chew so she was swallowing large pieces of other brands whole.
I wanted to love it but when I gave my kitty, Einstein, the choice between this and Dr. Elseys dry food, he would only eat Dr. Elseys.
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Petmate 26124 Kitty Cap
$ as of January 5, 2022 5:38 pm
Features
- Keep Your Pets Wet Food Fresh, When You Have Extra To Store Away
- Patented Designs Fits Multiple Sizes Of Round Cat, And Dog Food Cans
- Tight Lock Cap Seals In Odors, And Keeps Food Fresh
- Ear Tabs Allow For Easy Removal
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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.
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When Should I Transition My Kitten To Adult Cat Food
Once you’ve thrown your sweet cat her first birthday party, you can make the transition from kitten to adult food. Just give her a little extra attention to make sure she’s responding well.
Things to look for include energy levels, signs of gastrointestinal distress , and weight changes .
It’s best to talk to the kitty doc with questions!
Dry Vs Wet Kitten Food For Kittens
We touched on this a bit above in our kitten vs. cat section, but it does well to discuss a bit more thoroughly here.
Especially if your kitten is very young, you will need to start out with wet first, especially if you got her when she was still only 4-8 weeks old. This is partially due to her tiny teeth and mouth. But good canned kitten food has other benefits as well.
In general, wet feline food tends to be purer and less processed. This is naturally a healthier option. Wet will also help keep her hydrated. This is an extremely important benefit, as not all cats are good drinkers.
As your baby gets older, you can begin introducing dry pet food, and transition her fully if you choose. Admittedly, though, wet pet food is the most ideal and usually the best food choice. However, it is more expensive and less convenient, so many make the switch to dry foods.
As long as you keep in mind what we talked about regarding nutrition and kitten vs. adult food above, you can find plenty of dry kibble that will serve your kitty well.
If you are looking for some quick ways to identify healthy choices, an easy thing to keep an eye out for is the AAFCO on the label. If the label states that it at least meets the requirements, or better yet, that it offers complete and balanced nutrition based on AAFCO trials, you are in pretty good shape.
Finally, an important note to make here the other key thing you need to provide to ensure a happy and healthy kittie-cat is plenty of fresh water.
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Iams Proactive Kitten Food
This superfood from Iams is great for kittens, pregnant kitties, and mother cats. Its made using natural ingredients and packed with all the nutrients needed for a kitten aged 1 12 months.
Not only are the kibble pellets made to please fussy eaters, but they also scrape against the teeth while being chewed. This helps with your kittens oral hygiene, cleaning teeth, and promoting gum health.
The Iams proactive kitten food also contains a carefully balanced amount of amino acid, vitamins, minerals, and fish oil. This helps the food aid in your kittens growth, strengthening of the immune system, and all-round health.
Shop USA: IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food
Why You’ll Love It: Made With Several Sources Of Premium Animal Protein And Packed With Essential Fatty Acids Blue Buffalo’s Holistic Kitten Food Will Support Your Kitten’s Growth And Development With High
Dry cat food is typically the most convenient and cost-effective option. Not only can you save money by buying in bulk, but dry food has a longer shelf-life than wet food and it provides some dental benefits as well.
When shopping for dry kitten food, you need to check for high protein content, moderate fat content, and low carb content. Our top pick for the best dry food for kittens is Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Recipe Dry Food.
It features real chicken as the first ingredient with chicken meal and menhaden fish meal as concentrated sources of supplemental protein. It provides the ideal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat support, with supplemental fiber and probiotics to ensure healthy digestion.
This recipe contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients with vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance. Overall, it provides 36% protein and 20% fat with 3.5% fiber.
The Blue Buffalo Healthy Growth Kitten Recipe Dry Food has been given an award and carries a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 450 reviews. It is also included in Best Reviews Guide’s list of top 10 picks for the best kitten food.
Cat owners love the quality ingredients and high digestibility, though there are some comments about the inclusion of grains including brewer’s rice, which some kittens are sensitive to.
Cons: Not a grain-free recipe , contains some plant protein , contains brewer’s rice
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Best Budget Pick: Crave Grain Free High Protein Dry Kitten Food
Best for Budget
Surprisingly affordable per bag and rich in protein to help kitten growth.$12.97
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Kitten Food might not be the cheapest food pound for pound, but costing $13 for a four-pound bag, its great for anyone who doesnt want to spend too much on kitten food in one go. It offers reasonable value for money, anyway, considering this is a high protein food packed full of whole chicken, chicken fat, chicken meal, and fish meal.
The grain free recipe is ideal for cats with gluten or grain allergies, but it doesnt necessarily make this food lower in carbohydrates, as it uses potatoes as a starchy filler. That said, many owners of kittens with digestive issues or sensitive stomachs have noted an improvement when eating this food, though this is only anecdotal evidence.
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Kitten Food Key Features:
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- 41% protein
Look For The Aafco Statement
Instead of sweating over the ingredient list, pay attention to the nutrients in your cat food, says Carey. Look for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials saying that the food is complete and balanced. Do you know what your cat means when they make these noises?
This nutritionally-dense fish-based grain-free cat food is AAFCO-approved and a great all-around option for most adult cats.
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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.
How Long Should Cats Eat Kitten Food
According to animal health experts and vets, cats are considered kittens until they reach one year old. This means kittens should be fed kitten food for at least this long to optimize their rapid growth and development.
Some larger breed cats, like Maine Coon cats, aren’t considered adult until they’re around 1.5 to 2 years old, so they may require kitten food for a longer period.
Also Check: How Much Food Should A Cat Eat Each Day
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Kitten Dry Cat Food
Another example of a formula that balances low cost with good ingredients is Nutro Wholesomes Essential range.
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Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat , Brewers Rice
Nutritional Profile
Unlike the Authority, this recipe manages to retain real chicken as the primary ingredient, however, it also contains a fair amount of meat meal to top up the protein content. Added calcium should help promote healthy, consistent growth as your kitten increases in size.
What the owners are saying?
This is my go-to kitten food once my foster kittens are done nursing on their Mama. The kibble is small enough so they can eat it without any problems and I love that there is no corn, soy, or wheat to cause any digestive problems.
Our picky kitten loves this food! We have tried to see if hell eat another brand that was more expensive but he hates the new one so we will be ordering more of this.
When My Cat Food Bowls Has Been Acquired How Should It Be Used
The idea that a complete stranger might hear my cat food bowlss concerns me. Guns are viewed negatively in this country if they are mentioned to uninitiated persons.
It seems we are members of some obscure group when we discuss range trips. I appreciate your letting me assist. For any other assistance you require, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
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Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Our Top Pick for the Best Canned Cat Food: If youre looking for the best canned cat food, we recommend Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food. This brand is based in New Zealand so, while it may not be made in the USA, Ziwi Peak is one of the top cat food manufacturers and known for the quality of their ingredients and manufacturing processes. This lamb recipe features fresh New Zealand lamb as the primary ingredient with green-lipped mussels as a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. It is a grain-free recipe made with a limited number of main ingredients and supplemented with chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption. As a premium source of protein and balanced nutrition, this is a great option for the best canned cat food for indoor cats.
- Pros: Single source of premium animal protein, grain-free and low in carbohydrates, contains fresh organ meats, natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, chelated minerals
- Cons: Not made in the USA, expensive to feed as a staple diet
Why Trust The Spruce
The products that were selected for this list were chosen after significant research was performed on their ingredients, manufacturers, and more.
Adrienne Kruzer is a Registered and Licensed Veterinary Technician in three states and has been writing on pet and vet topics for over a decade. She is also Fear Free Certified, has a special interest in pet nutrition, and loves researching, learning, and problem solving in order to better help pet owners. Her years of working in various animal hospitals, alongside her formal college education and elective continuing education classes, have provided her with a wealth of experience and knowledge to help kitten owners select the right food for their pet.
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At A Glance: Best Cat Food To Buy In 2021
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In the comparison table below, weve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. Youll find more detailed information about each product later in the article
- Fresh food made with human-grade ingredients
- Real, high-quality animal protein
- Contains 92% fresh muscle meat, organs, and bone
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- High-quality source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Rich in high-protein animal ingredients
- Receives positive customer reviews
- A protein-rich food primarily made from animal-sourced ingredients
- Extremely palatablecats love the taste and texture of this fresh food
- The subscription model gives you access to a team of nutrition experts
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- Extraordinarily low in carbohydrates
- Food is made from responsibly-harvested fish
- Animal protein sources are the foods primary ingredients
- Contains herring oil and salmon oil as rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids
- Primarily made with animal-derived protein
- Free of vaguely-named ingredients
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- High moisture content helps to flush the urinary tract
- Low ash shouldnt contribute to crystal formation
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Contains guaranteed levels of probiotics to support the immune system and digestive health
- Added prebiotic fiber helps to prevent the constipation that some raw-fed cats experience
- Ultra-soft pâté texture is easy for kittens to eat
- Rich in protein and calories
- Hydrating canned food
Does Quality Really Matter For A Cat
Okay, so now you know our personal preference, lets talk about why quality kitten food is so important.
While yes, she is just a cat, quality cat food does matter. Especially in cats, there is often a significant link between health and behavior.
For instance, certain types of food may be higher in magnesium and other ingredients that encourage crystals to develop in a cats urinary system. These crystals could lead to urinary tract infections, urinating outside of the box, or even in a life-threatening situation if the bladder becomes blocked.
Furthermore, if kittens dont get the amount of nutrients, and the right nutrients they need, they may become lethargic, or develop skin issues, or a host of other health concerns that can impact behavior.
Needless to say, a healthy kitty is a happy kitty and therefore the most enjoyable pet for both her and your life.
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Purina One Tender Selects Blend With Real Chicken Dry Cat Food
- Contains by products
- Not grain free
Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food offers crunchy bites and meaty tender morsels, with real chicken as the first ingredient for lean protein to support healthy muscles and energy. This vet-recommended formula for adult cats is made with no fillers and has essential vitamins, minerals and taurine for overall health and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy skin and soft coat.
Purina kibble has a crunchy texture that helps scrub tartar with every bite to keep teeth clean and healthy. This cat food is manufactured in facilities in the USA.