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While they weigh very little at birth, kittens grow rapidly, and to fuel healthy growth and development, they need a diet rich in protein and many other essential nutrients. Picking the best food, especially one made with plenty of meat and limited carbohydrates, will not only aid healthy development. It will also significantly lessen the chances of upsets as they go through this rapid growth stage into becoming a fully-grown cat.
In this article, we’ll select and review some of the best dry kitten food on the market. However, you should ensure hydration is catered for no matter how many nutrients your preferred food may contain.
Table of Contents
The Top Dry Kitten Food to Aid Growth
Product Name | Key Features | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
- Omega-3 Dhato promote healthy brain development. - Small kibbles make it easy to eat. - Taurine helps develop strong vision and eyes. | ||
- Packed with real chicken. - Made with finest natural ingredients. - Grain free. | ||
- Rich in antioxidants. - Made with 41% protein. - Real chicken as the main ingredient. | ||
- Contains nutrients like those found in mothers milk. - 100% complete and balanced nutrition. | ||
- Natural fibers for healthy digestion. - Balanced minerals for strong bones & teeth. |
Please continue reading for more in-depth reviews
5. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Kitten, Indoor, Chicken Recipe
High on the list of top brands recommended by vets, the Science Diet Food contains all the nutrients your kittens require for healthy growth. The food is developed by a team of food scientists, top-level nutritionists, and vets – a factor that stands it out from tons of other dry kitten food.
The high-quality real protein, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and amino acids the food contains makes digesting easy for your pet. There are no artificial flavors, colorings, fillers, or even preservatives that are usually harmful but common in many dry kitten foods. For this, Hills Science Diet Kitten Chicken truly deserves a place on the list of the best dry kitten food. Plus, they make it from fresh chicken with the natural vitamins needed to support your kitten’s immune system and also serve as a natural preservative.
The high nutritional content of this food means pregnant, and nursing felines can equally benefit from it, and if you have any of those, not just kittens, this food is worth considering for them as well. The food comes in 3.5 pounds, 7 pound, or 15.5-pound bags.
A brand from Nestle Purina PetCare, Purina is deserving of a space in any top dry kitten food review, plus, many vets recommend it. The food is formulated specially to match the nutrient requirement of the very tender kitten.
High in DHA, it does not contain fillers common in many kibbles. Instead, it is packed with plenty of minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. Kittens love the taste of this nutritionally balanced meal, and many kitten owners attest to this.
Also, the nutrient-packed kibbles are not only complete and balanced for the first year of growth; they are made into shapes that kittens would love to eat.
The ingredients include; Brewers rice, some of the safest poultry by-product meals, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, fish meals, wheat flour, and several other essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth.
Because Purina Nurturing Formula contains exceptionally balanced nutrition, that felines need to thrive in their early years, you can rest easy knowing it provides your cat with the nutrition it needs to grow into a healthy cat.
Your kitten deserves the best nutrition, which is what the Pro Plan Formula offers. Containing high-quality protein from the fresh chicken as the #1 ingredient, the meal is also rich in phosphorus, calcium, and other minerals required to build strong bones and teeth. It also contains Omega-3 fatty acids for brain nourishment and vision development.
A meal made specially made for kittens up to 12 months in age; the antioxidant contents would support your feline’s developing immune system for overall health and wellness. The taste is also one kittens love, and the nourishment it provides is just what they need to thrive.
With real meat as its primary ingredient, the Buffalo High Protein is praised by many cat owners as one of the best dry kitten food for complete nutrition. The meal is packed full of eggs, whole grains, garden vegetables, and fruits for your feline’s overall wellbeing. These ingredients contain all the essential minerals, fatty acids, and vitamins. It is also completely free of flavors, preservatives, corn fillers, and other unhealthy additives common in many cat foods.
If you’re on the search for food that is worth the price in every aspect, the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Cat Food is worth considering as a great choice for the healthy development of your kitten, plus your furry little one would love the taste.
A popular kitten food from European Spectrum and Mars Incorporated, there is a lot to love about this budget-friendly dry kitten food. It is formulated with your feline's early development in mind. The food is not only rich in Omega-3 needed to aid the kitten's brain health and healthy fur, but it is also protein-rich, and this means it provides your cat with adequate protein for healthy development.
Also, the nutrients included in the food supplement what your kitchen would and should get from its mother's milk. Made from fresh chicken, the food comes with no added fillers. The vitamins in it are essential for building your kitten's immunity. Kittens love the great-tasting flavor of this meal, and the combination of carbs and protein ensures your cat stays full for longer – this way, your feline can enjoy great nutrition without leaving a hole in your pocket.
The company even offers a 100% money-back guarantee; talk about total confidence in their product! If you’re on the lookout for good quality dry kitten food but on a budget, IAMS Proactive healthy dry food is one you should consider.
About Kittens and Dry Food
While kittens need and enjoy lots of food for energy and growth, they will not finish the mounds of food in one sitting. Because of this, you must split into portions for different times of the day. If feeding at particular times during the day will not work for you because of your schedule, consider getting an automatic cat feeder.
These feeders time the kibbles to preset portions and are just what you need for when you’re away between mealtimes. This works with only kibbles, as wet or canned food will become contaminated if left uncovered for long. Also, while free-feeding can easily cause obesity with most pets including cats, it is not so with kittens especially those on preset portions.
Also, ensure your cat is provided with plenty of fresh water. We cannot overemphasize this. If your cat feeds on kibbles, your cat’s organs and the other parts of its body need a regular intake of water to stay hydrated and healthy.
Ensure, therefore, that your kitten is provided with clean, fresh water twice a day or more when you feed it dry kitten food. This is necessary whether you moisten the dry food with water or you serve it dry. They also need an adequate supply of clean water to aid in the transition from nursing to eating solid food and avoid dehydration-related issues like kidney stones and constipation.
Some FAQs
When should my cat begin solid kitten food?
We can wean kittens from their mother’s milk from four weeks and above. At this point, most kittens are usually already nibbling on their mother’s meals or gnawing on bottles.
Gradually introduce moistened kibbles or wet food mixed with the formula. However, because it's easy to overdo it for your pet, ensure you use weight guidelines to help you correctly determine portions. At its seventh week, weaning should be completed, and your kitten enjoying kibbles like a boss!
Check our article here if you would like a full in-depth answer to this question.
When is it OK to transition to adult cat food?
Your cat should be set to enjoy adult cat food from her 12th month. You can choose to begin the transition from then for a few weeks. To make sure that your cat is responding well, give her a little extra attention a few weeks before the switch.
Check her energy levels, signs or symptoms of digestive distress, and weight changes to be able to tell if she is processing your food just right. You want to ensure your cat is doing just fine and not overweight or underweight. If she isn't, you may consider changing her diet or brand but make sure you talk to a vet or a professional cat handler before switching to another.
Conclusion
There you go; the best dry kitten food available today. We hope you found that the information provided helpful for choosing a dry kitten food you feel would be suitable for your furry little one.
In our opinion, Iams Proactive Health Healthy Dry Cat Food offers the total package, which is why it places first in our top five. However, if your kitten is already on a particular brand of dry food and you’re considering switching, consult your vet to be sure it’s the right thing for your cat. Also, when introducing a new kibble, try it in small portions to see how well your kitten enjoys and processes it.
Do you currently feed your kitten any dry kitten food listed above? We’d like to know how your kitten enjoys it! Please share with us in the comments!
Have you got questions or thoughts about any dry foods on our list? Let us know in the comments, too!
You can also see other foods you can feed kittens in our article here.
About the Author
Kirsten Heggarty
Kirsten created The Pet Handbook with the aim of sharing her knowledge about pets, pet food, healthy habits, and more. All of her advice is based on years of her own experience with her pets, and feedback that she has received from grateful readers about her tips. If you want to know more please read the About Me page.
