Introduction
A kitten has specific feeding requirements for the first year of their life. To keep your kitten full of rambunctious energy, you need to give her the proper food. Once she's weaned from her mum, usually at 6 to 8 weeks, she's ready to eat on her own. Not pasteurized milk, though—it will only upset her digestion. Fortunately, there are numerous options on the market specially-formulated for kittens.
How Much Food Should a Kitten Eat?
More than you might think for a tiny fuzzball! Kittens have much greater nutritional needs than adult cats due to the sheer amount of growing they do. This means you'll have to consider frequency and variety.
According to experts, kittens should be fed free-choice from about 8 weeks to around 6 months, exposing them to both canned and dry food, as this has been shown to improve acceptance of foods later in life. Free-choice means leaving dry food out all the time, but stay mindful of quantity so you know how much food your kitten should eat. The Cornell Feline Health Center indicates your kitten will probably head for the bowl three to four times daily when you leave a small serving in it. As she grows, you'll need to put her on a more regimented feeding schedule.
Mixing together wet and dry food makes it easier for baby teeth to gradually crunch into kibble. Be sure to supply fresh water each day as well.
How To Choose the Best Food for Your Kitten
Young felines need plenty of protein and fat to help them grow. When reading labels of kitten food products, look at the first three or four ingredients. Meat should be near the top: first or second (to water) in canned food and definitely in the top three for dry.
If you are unsure of what to feed your kitten, or how much, take your kitten in for a checkup with your vet.
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