Species-appropriate wet food for kittens
All baby animals have unique nutritional needs. Whether it’s more calcium to help them grow, the vitamins and minerals they need for their development, or a delicious flavour to enjoy their meal, wet food for kittens has to be just right.
What makes a good wet food for kittens?
- Protein and fat from meat
Just like adult cats, kittens are obligate carnivores. This means they require a certain amount of protein and fat coming from meat. This is something any good producer of wet food for kittens, such as I Love My Cat species-appropriate wet food for kittens, has at the forefront of their mind. With the rapid growth a kitten experiences, they need much more protein at this stage than they will as an adult.
- No fillers
Then there are fillers like grain. Cats have no natural need for grain in their diet, so a good wet food for kittens omits this. Grain can be harmful to felines, especially in their kittenhood. Too much grain can lead to food allergies, poor coat health, and other health problems. Don’t you want your kitty to be at their optimum, sleek self?
- Taurine
Additional to this is taurine. Another essential nutrient cats get from meat, taurine, is an amino acid. Taurine does so much for your kitten – it helps them digest their food, keeps their young teeth healthy and strong, maintains their eye health, promotes good immune system health, and is good for their heart muscles. Cats can’t make taurine – this is part of the reason why they are called obligate carnivores – so they really need to get it from their diet.
- Calcium
Another essential nutrient for your kitten’s development is lots of calcium. Calcium helps your kitty’s teeth and bones grow strong.
- DHA
Also known as docosahexaenoic acid, this nutrient supports a kitten’s vision and brain development.
- Moisture
Many cats do not like to drink water. After all, felines have learnt to survive on very little water coming from the wild. This means today’s cats still have a low thirst drive. Even when they do drink water, a cat’s method of curling their tongue into a J shape and “biting” the water is extremely inefficient! So, one easier way to keep your pet kitten hydrated is to feed them wet food.
How much wet food should I feed my kitten?
How much species-appropriate wet food do you need to feed your kitten? The answer varies depending on your kitten’s age and what else you feed them. If you’re feeding your kitten exclusively wet food, you generally split the food in the container into two meals over the day. Store the remainder in the fridge for freshness, but bring the food to room temperature before feeding your kitten. Take a look at your food’s packaging for more information.
When should I move on from kitten food?
Again, this varies depending on what breed your kitten is. For most breeds, you’ll be shocked at how quickly they grow into fully-fledged adult cats. You can typically start phasing out kitten food around your cat’s first birthday.
For larger breeds, be sure to wait until nearer their second birthday.
