Kittens need to eat foods that supply them with the extra calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients they need to support their growth and development. Pick out dry and canned kitten foods that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates and are made by reputable manufacturers.
Look at the feeding guides on the labels of the kitten foods. The recommendations should be separated based on a kitten’s weight and age. Use the relevant amount as your starting point. You will be feeding a diet of about half wet and half dry food to start with, so divide the daily ration of canned and dry food by two to prevent overfeeding.
The amount that your kitten should eat will change over time and if you change foods. Use your cat’s body condition as a guide. If your cat is getting chubby, decrease the amount you are offering. If he or she is becoming too thin, increase the amount.
A common question that veterinarians get asked is whether cats should eat canned or dry food. Here’s some insight on wet vs. dry cat food.
Canned Cat Food Benefits
The largest benefit of feeding a canned diet is the higher water content. Cats with certain health conditions that require a higher-than-normal water intake, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or lower urinary tract disease, may benefit from the additional water in these diets.Canned food is also highly palatable, and some cats will eat a canned diet over a dry diet, particularly if they are picky eaters.
Canned Cat Food Drawbacks
Canned food is often more expensive than dry food, so this may play a role in your decision.Once opened, canned food has a shelf-life of 24 hours and must be stored in the refrigerator. If your cat does not finish their wet food, it should be properly stored in the refrigerator or discarded. Leaving canned food out for longer than a few hours can run the risk of contamination and cause gastrointestinal upset.
Dry Cat Food Benefits
Dry cat food is less expensive than canned food, so people who are on a strict budget or those that feed community cats may choose this option.Dry food also does not have to be stored in the refrigerator and can be left out much longer than can food. This is a good option if you free-feed your cats, but any portion not eaten by the end of the day should be discarded.You can also use dry cat food in automatic feeders or in puzzle feeder toys.
Dry Cat Food Drawbacks
Studies have shown a correlation between obesity and feeding dry cat food. This could be because a lot of cats that eat dry food are often free-fed, and owners do not realize how much their cats are actually eating in a day.It can also cause the opposite problem because it’s hard to notice that your cat is not eating when they are free-fed. The amount your cat eats in a day should be monitored or measured out for both reasons.
Older cats with dental disease or those who have had some of their teeth removed may also have a harder time chewing dry food.
Of course, every cat should have a high-quality cat bowl.The exquisite PETOMG wood cat bowl fully meets cat lovers’ feeding needs. The detachable ceramic bowl is smooth and easy to clean, saving time and effort. The 15° inclination angle protects your pet's bone health, allowing your cat to grow healthily and happily.
