Use the feeding guide for a complete and balanced kitten food appropriate for your kitten's age and weight as a starting point. If you combine wet and dry food, calculate their combined daily calories using the calorie information on both labels, and include any treats in the total. A 50:50 split is optional and refers to calories, not equal weights or volumes. Do not give the full daily allowance of each food together. Ask your veterinarian to help choose portions that support healthy growth.
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 cost may affect your choice. After opening, promptly cover and refrigerate unused canned food, or discard it. Keep the refrigerator at 40 F (4 C) or below, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for how long the opened food can be stored. Do not leave wet food out for extended periods; discard leftovers that cannot be safely stored. Source: FDA pet food storage guidance.
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.
Choose a feeding bowl that is easy to clean and appropriate for your cat's size and feeding routine. Follow the bowl manufacturer's cleaning and care instructions.
