What’s The Best Way To Feed Kittens?

Kittens, depending on their age, need to be fed in a specific way. From bottles to bowls, making sure you’re giving a kitten the right food helps it grow into a healthy cat. 

You can buy pretty much everything you need to feed a kitten at a local pet store, but you want to make sure you’re buying the right food. This article explores the best way to feed kittens, based on age and temperament. 

Should Kittens Eat Wet Food or Dry Food?

Cat owners debate whether wet cat food or dry cat food is better, but the truth is that a mix of the two gives your kitten a well-rounded diet. Here’s why:

Wet cat food is full of water, helping your kitten stay hydrated. Hydration is an ongoing issue for many cats, and aside from getting a cat water fountain, wet food is going to be your best bet for keeping your kitten hydrated.

Dry cat food is easy, lasts for a long time, and can even help clean your kitten’s teeth. However, some dry foods might be too difficult for kittens to eat, so be sure you’re buying the kitten brand of food. 

Again, the best thing to do is mix both dry and wet food, focusing specifically on foods meant for kittens. Because kittens are growing, they require more protein than full-grown cats. Most kitten foods should satisfy this need.

Also, because kittens are forming habits that they’ll carry for the rest of their lives, make sure you regularly switch out wet and dry foods with different brands. This can help prevent your cat from becoming a picky eater in the future. 

Should I Mix Water with My Kitten’s Dry Food?

Some kitten owners find that adding water to dry food helps their kittens. This could be because softer food is easier to chew, or it helps kittens hydrate.

You shouldn’t feel like you need to mix water with your kitten’s dry food. Instead, consider an alternative, like wet food or a cat water fountain. This leaves the benefits of dry food for kittens while giving them other options for food and water. 

Should Kittens Eat Raw Food?

Raw food for cats isn’t new, and many cats thrive on a raw food diet, eating anything from raw chicken to rabbit. Raw food can help cats with digestion issues and lead to healthier skin.

However, there are risks associated with eating raw foods. Raw food can have a bacterial infection, or the meat can spoil quickly. Raw food for cats is also expensive.

For kittens, raw food could present a nutritional issue. If the raw food you feed a kitten doesn’t have all the nutrients it needs, then the diet could lead to health issues in the future.

Consult your vet before switching your kitten to a raw food diet. If you insist on giving your kitten raw cat food, consider serving it alongside wet or dry food to give your kitten options.

How Often Should You Feed a Kitten?

Kittens are growing quickly and need plenty of food to fuel their growth. Generally, you’ll want to make sure that kittens have food available throughout the day, though kittens of different ages require more consistent feeding.

• Newborn kittens: They should be fed every few hours. You can find milk or formula for kittens at most pet stores.
• 6-12 weeks old: Kittens past the liquid diet can begin eating wet food and, as they get older, dry food. Meals should be made available up to five times per day.
• 12 weeks and up: As your kitten grows, you’ll notice how much food they need to eat. Feed them at least twice a day until they fully mature at around 12 months old.

If your kitten is meowing for more food and they’ve run out, feed them more. While some cats need a diet, kittens are growing and need plenty of food to stay healthy. Also, make sure your kitten has access to fresh water. We recommend getting a cat water fountain as it encourages drinking while filtering out bad particles. 

How Often Should Kittens Eat Wet Food?

Kittens ages six weeks and up should eat wet food 3-4 times per day, then just a few times per day as they get closer to adulthood. Most kitten food cans come with instructions on how often to feed your kitten and how much to give them. Follow those instructions, and give your kitten more food if they’re hungry.

If your kitten ever eats all their food, consider giving them their next meal early. You don’t want your kitten to starve!

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Way to Feed Kittens?

Kittens should eat a mix of dry food and wet food. While you can give kittens raw food, you should understand the risks of doing so. To complete a well-rounded diet, consider a water fountain to encourage hydration. You’ll need to feed young kittens more often than older kittens, and you’ll need to purchase special foods for newborn kittens. 

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