To many, a cat is the perfect pet: they’re smart, have strong personalities, are affectionate, and are relatively low maintenance. But before they grow into more independent adults, kittens need a little extra care when it comes to their diet to support their development and growth.
We vets see kittens regularly for routine immunisations and check-ups, and we have lots of advice for new pet parents who want to ensure their kitty is set up for the best start in life.
Here, we discuss why kittens have specific nutrition requirements and how to feed them to ensure they grow into healthy, thriving cats.
Why kittens need special diets
Kittens usually stay with their mother until they are at least eight weeks old — if not longer. During the first month or so of their lives, a kitten only requires the nutrient-rich milk from its mother. After this, they can be slowly weaned off this milk onto solid foods.
The new foods introduced to a kitten during weaning, up until they are adult cats (around 12 months), need to be a rich balance of essential fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. The ingredients in kitten-specific food ensure that a kitten gets everything it needs for optimal growth and development.
Browse our vet-recommended Kitten diets
What's the best food for kittens?
Cats are obligate carnivores, and their diets should contain at least 70% meat.
We recommend speaking to your vet at your first kitten check-up about the food options for your new baby. Your vet will recommend good quality food specifically formulated for your kitten’s breed, growth stage and dental health.
Manufacturers of high-quality pet foods do thorough research in collaboration with animal nutritionists to formulate foods with the right balance of nutrients for the animal type and specific age range.
There are a few different food options for kittens, including dry and wet formulations.
How often should you feed a kitten?
Because kittens use a lot of energy as they grow and develop into strong adult cats, they require more calories per body weight than adults. And, because their tummies are tiny, they can't eat very much at once, so we need to spread their food requirements throughout the day.
Overfeeding kittens long-term can lead to severe health conditions and even death. Risks to your kitten could be:
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
You should always follow the feeding guides provided with purchased cat food or consult your vet on a feeding schedule if you wish to establish your own nutrition plan.
For more Kitten behavioural and feeding tips, check out our comprehensive kitten guide: The Vet’s Kitten Guide: Facts, Care, and Training Tips
How much water does a kitten need?
Before they are weaned, kittens get all the hydration they need from their mother's milk. When they transition to solid food, they need to be given fresh, clean drinking water with their food.
Cats and kittens can generally self-regulate their water intake, so make sure they have constant access to drinking water.
What if a kitten isn’t drinking their water?
Occasionally, a cat will be picky about the bowl they eat and drink out of. Try different types of bowls to see if it encourages them to drink more. They also often enjoy running water, so a cat-drinking fountain can be a winner!
Of course, if you have any concerns about your kitty not getting enough hydration, talk to your vet as soon as possible.
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Should kittens drink milk?
Even though kittens start life drinking milk from their mothers, once they have transitioned to a solid food diet, they will only need to be given water to drink and stay hydrated.
In some cases, cow’s milk can actually cause diarrhoea, leading to dehydration. So it's best to just stick with water!
Do kittens need food supplements?
With a balanced diet, your kitten will not need any additional supplements.
If your vet has diagnosed your kitten with a medical issue or deficiency, they may prescribe a supplement to support their health. Animals must never be given human vitamins or other supplements, so make sure you only give your pet products made specifically for animals.
When introduced to a new environment, kittens can often experience digestive upset, leading to diarrhoea and other health concerns. We highly recommend probiotic supplements for kittens, as introducing beneficial bacteria to the gut can aid in resolving digestion-related problems. As always, consult your vet before adding new supplements to their diets.
Browse our vet-recommended probiotics
Where to feed your kitten
Position your kitten's food and water in a quiet spot, away from foot traffic, and ensure they are not disturbed by other animals or children. Choosing a chaotic location could lead to your kitten not eating or drinking enough and can cause avoidable stress.
If you have more than one cat in the household, it's essential that you make sure one cat is not guarding the food bowls and preventing the other cat's access to the area.
It is also important that bowls are kept clean and that you choose a hygienic eating area far from their litter tray. This will avoid cross-contamination of harmful germs, which can cause your kitten to become unwell.
What not to give your kitten
A cat’s metabolism is very different to a human's, and feeding human food to a kitten can be dangerous — even fatal.
Here's our informative list of foods that can be fatal to cats:
Food | Why is it dangerous? |
Onions & Garlic | Onions and garlic can cause Anemia in cats by damaging red blood cells, and even small amounts can potentially leading to life-threatening poisoning. |
Citrus fruits | Stems, leaves, seeds, and peels of citrus fruits can seriously harm cats, leading to nervous system distress, tremors, seizures, or death if ingested in large amounts. |
Grapes & Raisins | Feeding cats these can cause kidney failure even in small doses, so it's safer to keep these foods out of their reach. |
Caffeine | Caffeine present in coffee, tea, chocolate, colas, and some medications, can fatally poison cats, causing symptoms such as restlessness and tremors. |
Alcohol | Even small amounts of alcohol, from beer to liquor, can be lethal to cats, quickly leading to coma or death due to their heightened sensitivity. |
Chocolate | As chocolate contains the toxic agent theobromine, it can be fatal for cats if ingested, leading to symptoms like abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, and seizures. |
Macadamia nuts | Keep macadamia and other toxic nuts like walnuts away from cats to prevent lethargy, vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors. |
Raw Meat | A raw meat diet can be dangerous for young cats, as their developing immune system may not effectively handle potential pathogens. Wait until a kitten is at least 20 weeks old before introducing raw meat. |
We also advise against bringing lily flowers into the home. If ingested, lilies can cause severe illness and kidney damage to cats.
For more information on foods that are toxic to cats, read here.
Conclusion
We take on a lot of responsibility when we adopt new pets, especially vulnerable baby animals who need our help to keep them safe and healthy until they become more independent.
By following guidance from your trusted vet, adhering to feeding guidelines, and giving your kitten everything it needs to thrive, you ensure they have the best start to life and will grow into a strong, happy pet.
