Whether your kitten is destined to be a finicky feline or a gourmet glutton, mealtimes will be major events in her life. Kittens depend on good nutrition, not only to fuel their daily play, but also to ensure they grow up healthy and stay that way.

Nutritional Needs

Nutrients are the substances in food that provide nourishment. Cats require a combination of six different classes of nutrients for good health: water, protein, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), minerals and vitamins. 

Types of Food

Cat foods generally come in both dry and canned forms. Some kittens some kittens may have distinct preferences, while others may be easy to please.

Dry food is relatively inexpensive, storable without refrigeration and very convenient to use. Dry cat food remains palatable and nutritious for up to 12 months, even after the bag has been opened. Dry foods are more likely to decrease the rate of tartar accumulation on kitty teeth.  

Canned varieties are a little more expensive but extremely palatable, and they have high caloric density. They come in a variety of flavors. Canned food much be refrigerated after opening. It contains about 70 percent moisture, which will partially fulfill your kitten’s need for water. Unopened canned cat food will last nearly indefinitely, but most manufacturers recommend using canned products within two years.

Semi – moist foods are packaged as individual servings and are convenient travel food, but they aren’t appropriate for everyday use. They are kept moist by ingredients like com syrup that bind water and prevent the food from drying out. It’s quite palatable, but the binding ingredient may cause your kitten to need to drink more water.

About Milk

Although milk is an excellent food source, it should never replace your kitten’s water. Also, cow’s milk and cat’s milk contains different proteins. Some kittens past weaning don’t have enough for the enzyme lactase to digest the milk sugar lactose, and result is diarrhea. That’s no fun for you, your kitten or the carpet. It’s best to avoid cow’s milk and just stick to commercial kitten food.

The more you learn about feline nutrition, the better the care you’ll provide for your kitten. Don’t leave the decision up to Kitty; after all, she’d probably prefer crunching cricket and munching mice.

Scheduling Meals

You kitten should be fed in the same place every day, and a bowl of clean, fresh water much be available at all times. Put Kitty’s food station some distance from her bathroom facilities to avoid bruising sensitive feline sensibilities. Usually, a low – traffic end of the kitchen or laundry room works well. Each pet should have her own food bowl set some distance from the others.