Properly selected dry food for kittens is the key to the health and development of a pet, regardless of gender, age and breed (be it Scottish Fold, Maine Coon, Sphynx, Bengal, etc.). Newborn animals refuse mother's milk and switch to adult food at about 2 months. By this time, caring owners should create a diet that will be beneficial and not harmful.
Rating of the best dry food for kittens
From the author: almost all food, even high-end ones, contain rice or potatoes, and sometimes both, as a carbohydrate component. In general, this is not so bad, especially when the manufacturer specifies that it is yam (sweet potato), whole brown or white rice. True, the use of the latter is preferable, and the best feeds add vegetables as carbohydrates. Cereals, such as corn or wheat gluten, flour from these products, etc., are highly not recommended for cats and kittens. should alert the owner.
List of the best solid foods for pets up to a year old (you can click on the photo of the composition to enlarge it):
| Name | Description, composition on packaging, granules |
| Orijen Cat & Kitten | Made in Canada. Considered the best holistic practitioner. There are no grains, potatoes, or rice. 85% are sources of protein, 15% are carbohydrates. The first ones used are fresh chicken, turkey, fish, and offal. The second are red and green lentils, green and yellow peas, chickpeas, beans, whole navy beans, pumpkin, etc. Calorie content: 416 kcal per 100 g. Feed costs from 800 to 1500 rubles. per kg depending on packaging. |
| Applaws Kitten Chicken Grain Free | Made in the UK. The manufacturer lists potatoes in third place in the composition, but we still put this food in second place, since the first places indicate 62% chicken meat and 17% minced chicken meat (note, not minced chicken, which could mean that there is a lot of skin there). Calorie content: 380 kcal per 100 g. The food has a fairly reasonable price; it costs almost twice as much as Orijen, namely about 420 rubles. per kg when purchasing the largest package. |
| Meowing Heads Smitten Kitten for kittens with chicken and rice | Another British product. Has earned popularity among breeders of elite cat breeds. Contains 70% chicken, fish and eggs, brown rice, oats. Calorie content: 408 Kcal per 100 g. The food contains no additives that can provoke an allergic reaction (corn, dyes, etc.). The price of the products is high, but the quality matches it, namely about 950-1000 rubles. per kg. |
| Canagan Free-Run Chicken, Scottish Salmon, Country Game Canagan Free-Run Chicken Canagan Scottish Salmon Canagan Country Game | The food has not yet received great popularity, because... British manufacturer has recently entered the market. There is no special line for kittens because the diet is suitable for all ages. There are no grains in the composition, they are replaced by potatoes. It is worth noting that if potatoes or sweet potatoes (sweet new ones) are among the first 5 ingredients, as in this food, it is believed that the manufacturer is using it more as a cheap filler rather than a source of fiber that kittens need. However, the rest of the food composition is not bad. Here are the first components of the chicken flavor: chicken meal occupies 35.5%, fresh boneless chicken fillet 25%, followed by sweet potatoes and potatoes, 4.2% chicken fat, 4% eggs, 2.3% chicken broth, 1. 2% salmon oil, minerals, vitamins, etc. The feed is 90% digestible, thanks to this there will be a minimal amount of excrement. Calorie content is not indicated by the manufacturer. It is more profitable to take large packages weighing 4 kg, then the food will cost from 850 to 950 rubles. per kg, otherwise it will cost more than 1000 rubles.
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| Grandorf Lamb & Rice Kitten | Country of origin: Belgium. There is only one type available for kittens. The products contain a large amount of proteins, are hypoallergenic, strengthen the immune system, and relieve problems with hair and teeth. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not specify the percentage of protein components. But dehydrated lamb and turkey come in first and second place, and whole white rice comes in third. Calorie content: 449 kcal per 100 g. When purchasing a two-kilogram package, a kg of feed will cost 750 rubles. |
| Pronature Holistic Kitten Chicken & Sweet Potato | Feed made in Canada. Instead of wheat, it contains rice and sweet potatoes. At the beginning are whole and dehydrated chicken, 19% each, chicken fat and herring flour. Calorie content: 424 kcal per 100 g. A kg of feed when purchasing the largest package will cost from 700 to 750 rubles. |
| Farmina N&D Kitten Chicken & Pomegranate Grain Free | The food is produced in Italy and Serbia. It consists of 70% protein, and 30% vegetables and fruits. In third place in the composition is potatoes after 30% fresh boneless chicken and 28% dehydrated. Product absorption occurs at 80-90%. Calorie content: 393 kcal per 100 g. Feed per kg when buying a large package will cost from 600 to 800 rubles, if you buy a small one, 1.5 kg, then 1000 rubles. |
| 1st Choice Kitten Healthy Start Chicken | The food is produced in Canada. In third place in the composition is rice, and the manufacturer does not specify which one, which makes us wary. But in any case, it is better than cereals. In first and second place are 17% fresh chicken and the same amount of flour from this bird. Calorie content: 376.2 kcal per 100 g. Buying a 5 kg package of food will cost about 630 rubles. per kg. |
| Fitmin Cat Purity Kitten | Czech manufacturer. There are some questions about the composition, the meat is indicated at the beginning, of which 44% chicken, 19% pork liver, 8% duck, 5.6% fish, 1.7% pork and beef. It is not clear what kind of meat takes up another 21.7%. Next comes chicken fat. Farm potatoes and green peas are used as the main carbohydrates. The composition includes substances that eliminate the unpleasant odor of excrement. Calorie content: 430 kcal per 100 g. The food costs 580 rubles. per kg when purchasing a package of 10 kg. 850-1000 rubles if you buy a small one. |
| Brit Care Crazy I'm Kitten | Manufacturer from the Czech Republic. The ingredients include rice and rice bran in third and fifth place respectively. It is a pity that the manufacturer does not specify what kind of rice is used. In first place are high-quality sources of protein, 25% dehydrated chicken and 22% fillet, in fourth place is chicken fat. In general, the food is quite suitable for feeding kittens. But one of the reviews that we analyzed indicated that, judging by the taste, the granules contain corn, which the manufacturer does not mention. Believe it or not, it's up to you. You can try the food and then watch your pet’s reaction. It is also worth considering that this food is not suitable for all animals. Some pets refuse it and lose weight because of this. Therefore, before completely switching to it, you need to test it for a few weeks first. This composition is unpopular with many breeders due to its low taste and low nutritional value. Calorie content: 440 kcal per 100 g. The food is not very expensive, from 400-450 rubles. per kg when purchasing a package of 7 kg. |
| Karmy Kitten Turkey | Not a bad composition for premium food. These are domestic products. The range is constantly expanding, which indicates its demand. The composition is well balanced, containing seaweed and vitamin E. There are also elements that block the unpleasant odor of feces. 41% is turkey meat, whole white and brown rice are used as carbohydrates. There is a lack of some macro- and microelements necessary for each kitten individually. Therefore, the veterinarian may prescribe additional vitamin and mineral complexes. The food has a mild aroma, which makes storage easy. But many people talk about the inconvenience of packaging. Calorie content: 408 kcal per 100 g. The food will cost only 380 rubles. per kg when purchasing a package of 10 kg. But even if you buy a small one, 1.5 kg, it will cost from 500 to 550 rubles, which is quite acceptable. |
| Probalance Kitten 1st Diet | We will put this food in last place in our rating. Overall, for a premium product its composition is not that bad. In any case, it is much better than Royal Canin, which we will talk about below. The food is produced by a Danish company. There are also factories in Russia. In first place with 32% poultry meat, followed by rice, barley, beet pulp, oats, and peas. There are a lot of carbohydrates, but they are not the worst. So, barley is the best of all grains in finished feed, of course, we could do without it, but its use is preferable to wheat, corn, rye and even oats. Beet pulp is a good source of fiber, oats, as we have already said, are better than other grains, and peas are also a good ingredient. However, 32% of the bird is not enough for a growing kitten, and it is not specified what kind of bird it is, and it is also not clear what kind of rice is used. So consult your veterinarian before switching your kitten to this food. Calorie content: 385 kcal per 100 g. The price of food is not at all high, a kg will cost only 185 rubles. when purchasing a large package. |
You should not skimp on pet food. Especially on food for kittens, whose bodies are still developing. The health of the animal depends on a properly selected diet. In addition, expensive food is more nutritious; less quantity is needed to keep your pet satisfied. Along with the dry diet, you can also give canned food for kittens.
Probalance
ProBalance Kitten food
Premium food with chicken, created using Danish technology and produced in Russia.
It is suitable for daily feeding of all breeds of kittens from 2 months, pregnant and lactating animals. Available in packages of 400 grams (75 rubles) and 10 kg (1760 rubles) and it’s a pity that the most convenient packaging of 2 kg is missing.
The granules are very small (5 mm). The main component is dehydrated poultry meat (up to 32%), barley and rice, flaxseed as a source of omega acids, as well as a special extract that reduces the odor of feces.
But - the composition contains unnatural preservatives E320, E321.
Dry food for kittens that we do not recommend for daily feeding
| Name | Description |
| Hill's Science Plan Healthy Development | The composition is not the worst, there is quite a lot of high-quality protein, namely chicken and turkey flour. But in third place is corn. Corn protein is even less digestible by cats than wheat protein, only 54%. Moreover, pets get only 20-35% of their energy from carbohydrates; they get more than 40% of it from proteins. Therefore, corn should definitely not be the basis of a cat or kitten’s diet. |
| Josera Kitten | The composition, in addition to duck and turkey flour and duck fat, contains corn, rice and corn gluten. |
| Purina One for kittens | The composition is far from ideal. True, 17% chicken comes first, but even here we cannot be sure that this is meat, because... no specifications, followed by dried poultry protein, 14% whole wheat, animal fat, wheat and corn gluten, soy flour, pea protein concentrate, corn starch, dried chicory root, corn, etc. There is also no information on the percentage of components. |
| ProPlan Junior and Kitten | Contains corn and wheat gluten, rice, corn. In first and second place are 20% chicken and dried poultry protein. |
| Royal Canin | After the food was bought by the Mars company and it began to be produced in Russia instead of France, its quality dropped significantly. In other words, its composition is now very similar to economy, despite the presence of different lines, for example, for kittens there is a special milk replacer, food from 1 to 4 months, from 4 months to a year and for sterilized small cats. For example, the first ingredients in MOTHER&BABYCAT food are: dehydrated animal proteins (poultry), animal fats, rice, vegetable protein isolate, grain flour. So, nowhere is there any clarification about what kind of poultry is used, whether it is meat, what kind of rice, what vegetable protein is obtained from, what kind of grain. In general, the composition leaves much to be desired. |
| Cat Chow Kitten | The food is popular due to its affordable price. Reviews from cat owners are mostly positive, however, there are cases where the products provoked an allergic reaction. The composition contains a minimal amount of vitamins and minerals, so the kitten receives few useful elements. In addition, cereals come first. The diet does not contain harmful chemicals, dyes, or artificial flavors, so this is one of the best options among the economy segment, but you should not feed it on an ongoing basis. |
| Whiskas for kittens delicious pads with milk, turkey and carrots | Is a budget option. In the first place in the composition are wheat flour, poultry meal, turkey meal, meat and bone meal, rice, protein plant extracts, etc. The food cannot be used for daily feeding. |
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan junior food
French super-premium food with increased levels of protein (up to 42%) and fat (21%), designed to provide all the kitten's energy needs.
The large complex of vitamins and minerals in this food are optimal for the development and maintenance of a healthy skeleton and teeth. I would like to note that Purina croquettes are very small and convenient for babies.
One and a half kilograms of it cost 270 rubles.
Types of dry food
It is very convenient to feed pets with dry food. It saves time, does not require special storage conditions and additional mineral and vitamin complexes. The food is completely balanced, kittens receive all the necessary substances from it. However, not all ready-made diets available on store shelves are of high quality. It is not recommended to feed cats of any age with advertised, cheap products. It contains ingredients of dubious quality.
All cat food is divided into classes:
- Holistics are the best choice for small pets, sterilized cats, and weakened animals. They consist only of high-quality natural ingredients suitable even for human nutrition. The composition includes a huge amount of minerals and vitamins, beneficial plant components.
- Super premium - slightly inferior in composition to the previous type of food, but suitable for kittens.
- Premium - cheaper than holistic products and super premium products. Accordingly, the quality of raw materials is lower. This food can be fed to kittens, but not daily.
- Economy - not recommended for consumption. Such diets consist of low-quality by-products, cheap cereal additives, artificial flavor enhancers and other elements harmful to the growing body.
Diets are divided depending on the age of the kitten:
- up to 12 weeks;
- up to 10 months (for some manufacturers up to 1 year).
Although kittens can start eating a full diet at two months of age, experts recommend feeding dry food starting at 8 months unless there is a particular need for it.
Brit Care Cat
Brit Care Cat Crazy I'am Kitten food
A Czech super-premium product that produces Crazy I'am Kitten food for babies. They, unlike other manufacturers, are not recommended to feed adult cats that are pregnant or have recently given birth.
In the composition you will find only hypoallergenic and easily digestible proteins (in particular chicken fillet and its dehydrate), rice and its bran, extract for a better smell of feces, sea buckthorn and a complex of vitamins.
The manufacturer also uses various saccharides to further protect the animal's intestines. 2 kg of dry food costs 313 rubles.
Mr. Cat recommends: the benefits of dry food for kittens
Such products have the following advantages:
- simplicity and ease of use and storage;
- availability (can be purchased at any pet store, online);
- balanced composition (of course, you can independently calculate the proportion of substances necessary for a growing kitten, but it’s easier to purchase dry products);
- the content of a beneficial amino acid - taurine, which enters the body only with food (it is not produced naturally; with its deficiency, problems with the activity of the brain and heart begin, and vision deteriorates).
Meowing (Barking) Heads
It is rightfully considered one of the best food in the world and has a fairly high reputation among lovers of elite cat breeds. It is produced by a British company, which is based on a simple philosophy: “Health begins with proper nutrition.” The manufacturer has not created a separate line of food for kittens, since the food is suitable for any age.
Advantages
The main positive point is the composition. It does not contain any allergenic substances such as corn/wheat flour or dyes. All food consists of exactly 50% meat, and the remaining half is supplemented with Omega-3, Omega-6 and a vitamin complex. The presence of such amounts of animal protein and vitamins allows the body to grow at lightning speed. Eating this food, the kitten will grow up healthy, active, with beautiful fur. The food is specially designed for kittens, as it comes in small granules that are very easy for even the little ones to bite through.
Flaws
The main disadvantage of using such food is the price. The product belongs to the premium class category, so the price is appropriate, but so is the quality. You also won’t find it on supermarket shelves, so you’ll have to buy it in a special store.
Is the food suitable or not? What to pay attention to
Whatever food the owner chooses, the baby will have to get used to the new food. Usually, at one month of age, kittens already have teeth and can gradually begin to switch to additional food intended for their status. Veterinarians do not recommend switching to products produced for adults before one year of age.
If the chosen brand is not to the taste of the capricious tail, you need to try another brand. But when he does not refuse the offered treat, then it is wiser to continue to use food of different types from the same manufacturer.
Whether the food is suitable or not will be determined not only by the cat’s emotional reaction, but also by its well-being and general appearance. How successfully does he grow, gain weight, go to the toilet? Is his fur shiny? How cheerful and cheerful is he? A loving owner must know all the answers to these questions.
Arden Grange
Arden Grange Kitten Fresh Chicken and Potato food is made in the UK and is a premium food. This grain-free food is recommended for babies from 5 weeks. The basis of the composition is a large amount of proteins. In addition, there are proteins - 30% chicken meal and 26% fresh chicken, which provide an appetizing smell and taste. There is pea starch - it acts as a thickener. It also contains prebiotics - they normalize the digestion process, as well as additives that are beneficial for joint health. Among other ingredients, the composition contains taurine, which is beneficial for vision, heart health and nervous system. Fatty acids help animals maintain healthy coats and skin. And cranberry extract is responsible for the stable functioning of the urinary tract. Fiber helps prevent the formation of hairballs in the gastrointestinal tract. Arden Grange food contains natural antioxidants and vitamins - they strengthen the immune system and dental health.
BENEFITS: Free from wheat gluten, beef, soy and dairy. The food is hypoallergenic. There are no preservatives or flavorings with dyes.
DISADVANTAGES: Glucose content - it can have a laxative effect on a kitten’s fragile body.
Hills Feline
Dutch food Hills Science Plan Kitten has a balanced content, which allowed it to become the best in the premium food segment. You should pay attention to production - it can be Russian or European. Science Plan Kitten is suitable for kittens from weaning until puberty. Contains increased Omega-3 content. In addition, the food contains soybean oil and soybean, wheat gluten. Their volume relative to the total volume is low. The food is enriched with vitamins A and D, B and C and E, PP. It is also enriched with minerals - manganese, sodium, iodine, calcium and iron with copper. The composition is quite balanced, it contains all the ingredients necessary for a growing body.
ADVANTAGES: This brand offers a large selection of flavors. There are packages of different sizes for different age groups. The feed is characterized by high nutritional value and good digestibility. They improve the quality of wool, activate the immune system, provide the body with useful substances and improve its resistance.
DISADVANTAGES: A large number of grains in the composition, soy and yeast, corn and synthetic components. Not enough fiber. Sometimes kittens have allergies.
Acana
This food contains 80% high-quality natural meat ingredients: cartilage, chicken, liver - liver, kidneys, heart. They are supplied by livestock and poultry farms. In addition, there are options with turkey, trout or pike perch, which are caught in Canadian lakes. This cat food also contains probiotics and animal lactobacilli. There are no grains at all, as well as concentrated proteins from potatoes or peas. But there are meat proteins of animal origin. They help kittens build muscle mass. Among the ingredients are: fresh eggs, chickpeas, red lentils, pollock fat, dried alfalfa, dried kelp, fresh parsnips and pumpkin, blueberries, cabbage, apples, mustard and turnip greens, chicory and turmeric root, burdock and rose hips, milk thistle and lavender. It also contains copper and zinc with choline. Can be used dry or slightly moistened.
ADVANTAGES: Meat components are not frozen - only fresh products are used in the feed. There are no artificial flavors, GMOs, gluten or preservatives. All kittens like it.
DISADVANTAGES: The range of these foods is limited.
Fitmin
Food from a Czech manufacturer who is a “veteran” with more than 20 years of experience, which is the best proof of product quality. The model range for kittens is “Fitmin cat Purity Kitten” and is designed for cats up to 12 months. There are also lines for cats and much older cats.
Advantages
The food is filled with animal protein, which comes in the form of poultry, beef or fish. For rapid growth of the kitten, the composition includes liver and egg. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats are provided by the presence of fish oil and flaxseed oil. The special formulation allows the kitten’s body to quickly absorb all the necessary substances with a minimum amount of waste. It is also important to have special elements in the composition that suppress the unpleasant odor of excrement.
Flaws
Thanks to the high-quality raw material base, the quality of the products is completely free of shortcomings. The main negative is the small assortment on the CIS market, which forces you to order food from specialized places. Unfortunately, even then the flavors are limited to salmon and beef.
Pronature
Food from a famous Canadian manufacturer. A distinctive feature is natural raw materials and the production process using modern equipment, which together makes this food as healthy as possible. The line for kittens is called “Pronature Holistic Kitten”.
Advantages
The food contains an optimal amount of fiber, which has a positive effect on digestion and absorption of nutrients. The source of carbohydrates is presented in the form of rice, not wheat, which is very poorly absorbed by the cat's body. Also, beneficial substances not only do not cause kidney disease, but on the contrary are good prevention. Production is located only in Canada, accordingly, all products are imported and are of high quality, due to no less high requirements for products in the country of origin.
Flaws
Read carefully what is written on the packaging. The word “Holistic” should be on the front - this is important, since another line may have plant substances in its base, which is not suitable for kittens and can cause allergies, especially in purebred animals.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin Babycat food is produced abroad and in Russia. The best quality of European manufacturers is noted. Recommended for kittens during the period of growth of the digestive system due to a balanced combination of highly digestible proteins. The food contains special types of fiber in the form of psyllium seeds - they normalize stool and ensure the balance of intestinal flora. Proteins are selected for maximum digestibility. Supports immunity - beneficial substances help activate natural protective organisms. The minerals included are vitamin D and calcium. The high calorie content of the food guarantees a surge of energy during the age period. Specially selected proteins guarantee up to 90% digestibility. Dry food for kittens is enriched with minerals - magnesium and iron, iodine and sodium, manganese and copper, calcium and selenium.
ADVANTAGES: Balanced composition and choice of flavors. There is food for different age groups of kittens. Available in packages of different sizes, High nutritional value and digestibility.
DISADVANTAGES: Presence of synthetic components, soy corn and yeast, vegetable fats. Allergies may occur in some kittens.
Farmina N&D
Food from a European manufacturer, which is of the highest quality. The line is divided into two main areas: grain-free and low-grain foods. You can also add pumpkin-based products to the distinctive features, which will help protect the kitten from cholesterol problems and strengthen the cardiovascular system. The line for kittens is called “Kitten”.
Advantages
The composition of the feed consists of 70% meat protein, and the remaining 30% supplements the diet with vegetables and fruits. The grain-free option is perfect for active kittens. Don't be alarmed by the presence of gluten; it is completely destroyed by stomach enzymes. Quinoa-based foods are also available. The latter is the most beneficial cereal for cats. Feed absorption is 80-90%, which significantly reduces the amount of feces.
Flaws
The main drawback is the packaging. A small 1.5 kg bag has a fairly high price, products of 3 and 5 kg, on the contrary, are an incredibly profitable option, however, the absence of preservatives significantly reduces storage time, and not all animals can absorb feed in such quantities.
