Choosing the Best Kitten Food for Your New Cat

New kittens are full of energy, so finding the best food for kittens means finding the right balance of calories, protein and flavor. Here's what to look for to keep your new feline friend as happy and healthy as possible.

The Best Kitten Food Starts with Science

There are several things to keep in mind when choosing the best kitten food for your new pet. Start with these three considerations to make sure your kitten is getting off to a healthy start.

Kittens Have Their Own Nutritional Needs

While some nutrients in kitten food are the same as adult cat food, there are a few differences that will help your new kitten's brain and muscle development.

Expect your kitten’s food to have higher levels of protein and minerals, as well as higher calories, since kittens are typically more active than their older counterparts.

A Healthy Feeding Schedule

A consistent feeding schedule keeps your kitten from overeating and gives you more control during mealtime. Use this kitten food calculator* to determine a proper feeding amount, and always make sure to check with your veterinarian first.

Weight of Cat Growth less than months Growth 4 to 6 months Growth 7 to 12 months and pregnancy
1 lb (0,5 kg) 1/4 cup (30 g)
2 lb (0,9 kg) 3/8 cup (40 g) 3/8 cup (40 g)
3 lb (1,4 kg) 5/8 cup (70 g) 1/2 cup (55 g)
4 lb (1,8 kg) 3/4 cup (85 g) 5/8 cup (70 g)
5 lb (2,3 kg) 7/8 cup (100 g) 2/3 cup (75 g) 5/8 cup (70 g)
10 lb (4,5 kg) 1 1/4 cups (140 g) 1 cup (115 g)
15 lb (6,8 kg) 1 1/4 cups (140 g)

*Based on Science Diet® cat food recommendations

Serving Options

Giving your kitten options in texture helps make mealtime irresistible, which is why Hill’s offers both wet and dry kitten food. These tasty options range from crunchy kibble to savory stews.

Dry Kitten Food

Dry Kitten Food

Every kibble is designed around a kitten's smaller mouth so your new little friend can enjoy each meal. Hill's also provides an assortment of flavors that have been approved by the discerning cats at our Pet Nutrition Center.

Wet Kitten Food

Wet Kitten Food

Open the top of any Hill's® canned kitten food and you can see that each recipe is loaded with hearty vegetables, tender morsels and savory sauces. Treat your kitten to one of our minced entrées and make mealtime a special occasion.

 
 

A Lot Goes Into Every Bite

Time, effort and research all come together to ensure your kitten's meal is one that can support a long, happy life. Below are some of the brands that keep your kitten’s health in mind.

Shop Hill’s Kitten Food by Brand

Science Diet® Kitten Food

Science Diet® uses more than 70 years of research to develop nutrition that meets your kitten’s biological needs. Maybe that's why Hill's is US veterinarians' #1 recommended.

Shop Science Diet

Healthy Advantage® Kitten Food

Available exclusively through your veterinarian, Hill's® Healthy Advantage® Kitten food is formulated to provide 5 essential health benefits for your kitten.

Shop Healthy Advantage

Caring for Your Kitten

ARTICLES AND TOOLS

Pet Care Centre

  • Steps to Regulate Your Cat's Diet

    Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill´s.
  • Choosing the Best Kitten Food: What to Look For and Avoid

    Learn how to identify the kitten food that aligns with her nutritional needs so you can keep her active and healthy as she grows up.
  • The Importance of Protein in Your Cat's Food

    The right combination of proteins is essential, but your cat needs help achieving the correct mix. Hills Pet Nutrition can help in choosing the right cat food to ensure your pet gets a sufficient boost of protein power.
  • Homemade Cat Food Raises Concerns

    154502253 Learn more about homemade cat food from a study about how homemade pet foods were found to be how to be nutritionally unbalanced and incomplete for pets.
  • Facts and Information on How Cats Eat

    Choosing the right cat food for your special pet's specific needs is one of the best ways to influence your cat’s future health and happiness. Work with your veterinarian to validate your choices to ensure your cat will receive the correct balance of nutrition. When it comes to feeding, you also might be interested in learning a little about how nature has equipped your cat for eating. Take this short quiz to discover some fun facts.

Take your kitten’s care further

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