| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Favorites Variety Pack Canned Cat Food |
| Best Dry | Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food |
| Best Grain-Free | Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Canned Kitten Food |
| Best for Weaning | PetAg PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens |
Did you just bring home a cuddly kitten? Or are you making sure that you have everything in place to bring one home soon? If so, finding the healthiest, best kitten food is probably high on your list of things to do.
There are many different features to consider when shopping for kitten food. These can include whether you’re looking for a wet, dry, or canned food, and if your kitten is just weaning off of their mother’s milk. You may also be searching for special formulas, such as grain-free, organic, sensitive stomachs, or vet recommended.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly choice or would like to splurge on your new furry friend, we’ve got you covered! We’ve reviewed some of the best kitten foods in the next few sections.
Check Chewy Check Amazon- 24 (3oz) Can Variety Pack Kitten Food
- Flavors: Chicken & Liver, Salmon & Ocean Fish, Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Entree
- 25 Essential Vitamins & Minerals
- Contains DHA for brain and vision development and antioxidants to support a kitten's developing immune system
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Dry pellet Roasted Chicken & Rice Flavor
- Natural ingredients provide high-quality protein to promote muscle building
- Contains DHA from fish oil and balanced minerals
- Recommended by Veterinarians
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Liver Pate flavors in high protein, grain-free formula
- Wet food provides hydration for optimum urinary tract health
- Free from corn, wheat, soy, gluten, and no artificial colors or preservatives
- 12-Pack of 3oz cans
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Milk Replacement Powder for newborn kittens in 10.5oz can
- Recommended for orphaned or rejected kittens
- Contains Essential Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids to promote growth and development
- Digestible nutrients in easy-to-mix formula
The Top Picks for the Best Kitten Food: Ranked
#1 Best Overall: Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Food
Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten food is our top pick for the best kitten food available today. This wet food includes nutrients that are essential to helping the developing immune system of a kitten. It also includes essential DHA to aid in the development of a kitten’s vision and brain.
Purina offers this food in seven tasty flavors: chicken & liver, grain-free chicken entrée, natural chicken & liver, natural ocean whitefish & salmon, ocean whitefish & tuna, and salmon & ocean fish. Each flavor is available in a pack of 24 cans, or you can also choose a variety pack with a mix of the chicken & liver, ocean whitefish & tuna, and salmon & ocean fish flavors.
A few buyers said that their kittens didn’t like the taste of this food and refused to eat it.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Food
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This wet food is specially formulated to provide the nutrients a kitten needs to nourish their developing immune systems, eyes, and brain, including essential DHA (an Omega-3 fatty acid). | A minority of purchasers said that their kittens wouldn’t eat this food because they didn’t like the flavor(s). |
| This canned food is available in seven flavors kittens love: chicken & liver, grain-free chicken entrée, natural chicken & liver, natural ocean whitefish & salmon, ocean whitefish & tuna, and salmon & ocean fish | |
| You can purchase packs of 24 cans of the same flavor or select a variety pack including the following flavors: chicken & liver, ocean whitefish & tuna, and salmon & ocean fish. | |
- 24 (3oz) Can Variety Pack Kitten Food
- Flavors: Chicken & Liver, Salmon & Ocean Fish, Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Entree
- 25 Essential Vitamins & Minerals
- Contains DHA for brain and vision development and antioxidants to support a kitten's developing immune system
2. Best Dry: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food
If you’d prefer to get a dry food for your kitten and are looking to stick to more of a budget, consider Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food. This food is formulated to offer high-quality protein, balanced minerals, and other essential ingredients to help meet the developmental needs of kittens.
Another important ingredient in this kitten food is the DHA derived from fish. DHA is important for kittens to help ensure proper eye and brain development.
Hill’s Science Diet is made from safe, natural ingredients. Plus, it’s manufactured in United States facilities, so you can feel confident that it meets the highest safety standards.
This food has a chicken flavor that kittens are certain to enjoy. You can purchase it in a 3.5-, 7-, or 15.5-pound bag.
Some buyers said that this food is too expensive.
Pros and Cons of Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This dry food provides the high-quality proteins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that kittens need to develop into healthy cats. | Some buyers feel that this food is too expensive. |
| One of the featured ingredients is DHA (derived from fish), which is essential for brain and vision development. | |
| It’s manufactured in the US from safe, natural ingredients. | |
| This dry chicken flavored kitten food is available in 3.5-, 7-, or 15.5-pound bags. |
- Dry pellet Roasted Chicken & Rice Flavor
- Natural ingredients provide high-quality protein to promote muscle building
- Contains DHA from fish oil and balanced minerals
- Recommended by Veterinarians
3. Best Grain-Free: Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Canned Kitten Food
If your cat has a sensitive stomach or you would just prefer to feed them a grain-free food, you may like the Wellness Core Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate. This wet food is formulated with botanicals, cranberries, and the essential vitamins and minerals kittens need. It also includes a special flax and a fish-derived Omega blend to keep your kitten’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.
Wellness does not include any wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, or carcinogens in their recipes. Rather, they select ingredients such as lean meats, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. While the product receives an overwhelming number of rave reviews, some buyers say that their kittens don’t like the flavor and refuse to eat it.
As a wet food, this option has a higher moisture content. This can help ensure your kitten stays hydrated to protect their overall health, help their body function properly, and protect the health of their urinary tract.
Pros and Cons of Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Canned Kitten Food
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This grain-free wet food is made from lean meats, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and includes the essential nutrients that growing kittens need. | Some pet parents say that their kittens refuse to eat this food. |
| It also includes botanicals, cranberries, and a flax-and-fish-derived Omega blend to maintain your kitten’s healthy skin and shiny coat. | |
| This brand does not include wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, or carcinogens in any of their recipes. | |
| Like all wet foods, this product has a higher moisture content that can help your kitten stay hydrated, which is vital to their overall health, proper body function, and urinary tract health. |
- Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Liver Pate flavors in high protein, grain-free formula
- Wet food provides hydration for optimum urinary tract health
- Free from corn, wheat, soy, gluten, and no artificial colors or preservatives
- 12-Pack of 3oz cans
4. Best for Weaning: PetAG PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens
If you recently adopted or found a very young and abandoned kitten that should still be drinking its mother’s milk you need PetAG PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens. This milk powder for kittens from PetAg is an excellent substitute for young kittens who can’t get milk from their mothers regardless of the reason.
This milk powder includes an essential mix of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to help kittens develop and grow until they’re ready to graduate to a wet food. This formula is suitable for use with kittens who are only a few hours old, as well as slightly older kittens who are being weaned.
This formula is designed for easy digestion to prevent upset stomach in cats. It is easy to use, and you simply need to mix the powder with warm water. Some customers had difficulty mixing this formula thoroughly.
Pros and Cons of PetAG PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This powder is formulated for young kittens that can’t nurse from their mothers due to abandonment or other reasons as well as those that are being weaned. | Some buyers said that the formula was difficult to mix thoroughly. |
| The formula includes essential nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. | |
| This product is easy to digest and easy to use: simply mix it with warm water. | |
- Milk Replacement Powder for newborn kittens in 10.5oz can
- Recommended for orphaned or rejected kittens
- Contains Essential Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids to promote growth and development
- Digestible nutrients in easy-to-mix formula
The Different Types of Kitten Food: Pros and Cons Compared
Wet
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s higher moisture content helps kittens stay hydrated. | It’s more expensive than dry food. |
| It generally has a higher protein content than dry food. | Wet food must be refrigerated after opening. |
| Wet food is easier for young kittens to chew. | It only lasts a short time after opening. |
| Moist food has a better taste that many kittens prefer. | Due to its high moisture content, it can lead to more dental issues. |
Dry
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| When stored properly, dry food has a longer shelf life. | It typically contains lower amounts of protein than wet food. |
| It’s less expensive than wet kitten food. | It’s not as hydrating. |
| Dry food is less likely to cause dental issues. | Dry food can be difficult for very young kittens to chew. |
| It’s easier to pack for travel since no can opener is required. | It’s not as flavorful. |
Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best
We researched a wide variety of kitten food and scoured verified reviews to find the options that kittens preferred while meeting their nutritional and developmental needs. Some additional observations we made about each of our top picks include:
- Customers rave over how much their kittens enjoy eating Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Food. We like that it doesn’t seem to upset their stomachs or cause any problems. However, some reviewers were disappointed that a number of the cans in the pack they ordered were dented.
- Many reviewers were pleased with how their kittens seemed to develop after feeding them Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food. Their eyes and coats looked very healthy, and they seem to have a good amount of energy. Unfortunately, a few of kittens didn’t seem to like the flavor and preferred canned food instead.
- When we read the ingredient list for the Wellness Core Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate, we were impressed with all the high-quality ingredients it contained. We also noticed that reviewers’ kittens enjoyed the flavor of this food.
- Most buyers reported that PetAG PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens is very easy to mix. It’s often used to nurse abandoned kittens. While some of these kittens started off pretty frail, customers were able to nurse them back to health with this formula. The only complaint is that the powder doesn’t blend smoothly.
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| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Purina Pro Plan Focus Kitten Favorites Variety Pack Canned Cat Food |
| Best Dry | Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food |
| Best Grain-Free | Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Canned Kitten Food |
| Best for Weaning | PetAg PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens |
The Best Kitten Food: Ranked and Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the best food to feed a kitten?
When you’re looking for the healthiest food for your kitten, consider their nutritional needs. Check the ingredient list and consult with your veterinarian to find what nutrients are essential based on your kitten’s age. Consider whether you’re looking for food formulated for sensitive stomachs or if you would prefer to find a food that is grain-free or organic.
Younger kittens who are just weaning from their mother’s milk will do best with wet food that is easier to chew. As your kitten gets older, you may decide to transition them to dry food.
What food do vets recommend for kittens?
Vet recommended kitten foods will be formulated using nutritious ingredients that will meet the developmental needs of a kitten. The exact recommendations they may offer will vary based on the specific age and needs of your kitten and any special considerations, such as whether you’d prefer wet or dry food, if you need food for sensitive stomachs, or if you are looking for grain-free or organic options. Some vet recommended brands often include Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, Instinct, Fancy Feast, and Royal Canin.
What foods shouldn’t kittens eat?
Many human foods can be toxic to pets. Avoid feeding your kittens any of the following:
• Bread dough with yeast
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits
• Coffee
• Coconut
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Dairy products
• Raw eggs
• Nuts
• Onions
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Scallions
• Chives
• Shallots
• Raw fish
• Raw meat
• Salt
• Xylitol
Is wet or dry food better for kittens?
If you have a very young kitten who is just weaning from its mother’s milk, it may not have enough teeth to handle chewing dry food. In this case, you’ll want to choose wet food for your kitten. Many kittens prefer the taste of canned food, and canned food typically has more protein than dry food. However, dry food lasts a lot longer after being opened, doesn’t need refrigeration once opened, and is a more budget-friendly choice.
What flavor do most kittens prefer?
Each kitten’s tastes may vary, but some popular flavors among kittens include whitefish, tuna, salmon, shrimp, turkey, and chicken.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
