Kitten Feeding Guide: How to Feed a Kitten

The right kitten feeding is vital for your kitten’s growth, health and development. A holistic, balanced approach to kitten feeding prioritises the needs of growing kittens and ensures they receive all the nutrients they need during this crucial stage of development.

In this kitten feeding guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about appropriate kitten food, feeding frequency, types of food, supplements, and suitable care products for raising kittens. You’ll also discover plenty of helpful tips to support your kitten’s healthy growth.

Why the right kitten nutrition is so important for kittens 

Essentially, the right kitten diet determines whether a kitten receives sufficient protein, fats and other important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, to develop and grow healthily. However, it’s not just about the valuable nutrients that form part of a proper kitten nutrition, but also about ingredients that you should definitely avoid when feeding young cats (you can find out more about this further down in this Guide). 

If you feed a balanced, high-quality cat food with plenty of meat, such as Felins Plus®, right fom the start, you’ll be laying the foundations on which your cat’s long-term health will be built. This helps to promote a healthy gut flora, prevent food allergies and intolerances, and also stop your young cat from growing up to be a fussy eater.

What is the best food for kittens? 

Natural cat food with plenty of meat, such as the Felins Plus® Complete Tinned Meals, is just as suitable for kittens as it is for adult or older cats. After all, nature shows us that kittens are fed whatever their mother catches – including mice, birds or insects – so mainly meat. The mother cat does not usually change her prey preferences. Depending on the size of the litter and the age of the kittens, she simply has to go hunting more often to provide for them properly. 

When it comes to kitten feeding, meat content is crucial. To meet their natural dietary needs, kittens need a diet containing at least 85 to 90 per cent meat to provide all the essential nutrients they need.

Wet kitten food: plenty of meat and high-quality ingredients

With a meat content of over 85%, our Felins Plus® Complete Tinned Meals are perfectly tailored to the needs of kittens. As true carnivores, they need a kitten food rich in meat or fish – carbohydrates serve mainly as a source of fibre and play a secondary role in species-appropriate kitten nutrition. 

When should you switch your kitten´s food?

Has your new kitten just moved in? For the first 1–2 weeks (depending on how quickly the kitten settles in with you), stick to the food it’s used to. Breeders usually provide a small amount of food or explain where you can buy it, as well as when and how much you should feed your kitten. For a young cat, its whole world changes in the early days: the surroundings, smells and sounds are new, its mother and siblings are no longer there, and many kittens are also dewormed and vaccinated before being rehomed – all of this causes them enormous stress – so a change in diet shouldn’t be added to the mix. Only introduce a new food once your kitten has settled in. 

Why should you switch kittens to natural kitten food as early as possible?

In their first few weeks of life, kittens learn an enormous amount, including which foods they should eat and which they should avoid. This initial food conditioning has a decisive influence on your kitten’s future eating habits. You should therefore not hesitate for too long and familiarise your young cat with a natural kitten food at an early stage.

Food imprinting in kittens

Even whilst still in the womb, kittens become aware of which foods their mother eats and which she does not. This taste education continues after birth: in the wild, the mother cat would go hunting and bring home a wide variety of prey, ranging from mice and birds to insects. The young cats are introduced to different flavours and textures and form positive associations with them. What they do not get to know at this stage, they will generally not enjoy eating later on. 

The imprinting phase is therefore crucial, and you should use it to familiarise your young cat with natural kitten food and also with BARF. During this stage of life, let your kitten get to know a variety of flavors and textures, build positive associations with them, and develop a wide range of preferences. This makes it very easy to avoid fussy eating habits.

Switching kitten food: What you need to know

When your kitten moves in with you, it will probably already have been accustomed to a particular type of food. If you do not wish to continue feeding this, your kitten will need to switch to a new diet. 

Cats are naturally sceptical when their food changes. If your kitten has also become accustomed to flavourings in their previous food, a successful transition often requires a little time and patience.

Switching kitten food: From conventional wet food to Felins Plus® Complete Meals

There are various ways you can try when switching your kitten’s food from conventional wet food to our natural wet kitten food:

• Mixing wet food: You can mix our Complete Meals with the old wet food for the first few days. Start with a very small portion of the new food. Depending on how well your cat reacts to it, gradually reduce the amount of the previous food whilst increasing the amount of our Complete Meals accordingly. 
• The ‘two-bowl’ method: You can offer a tiny portion of the old food in one bowl – as an ‘appetiser’, so to speak – and then provide a meal from our Complete Meals in a second bowl.
   

Switching kitten food: From Dry Food to Felins Plus® Complete Meals

There are also various options you can try when switching from Dry Food to our Complete Meals:

• The ‘two-bowl’ method: You can offer a small portion of the Dry Food in one bowl, as a sort of ‘appetiser’, and then provide a meal from our Complete Meals in a second bowl.
• Mix wet food into the Dry Food: You can also mix a small amount of wet food into the Dry Food, or serve both dry and wet food together in one bowl.

Right kitten feeding: How often should kittens be fed?

It is in a cat’s nature to eat several small meals spread throughout the day, so you should also offer your kitten several small meals a day. 

Here’s how often you should feed your kitten: 

• Up to 4 months old: 5–6 meals a day
• From 4 to 6 months of age: 4–5 meals a day
• From 6 months of age: 3–4 meals a day

Feeding kittens correctly: How much food is ideal?

Kittens can eat as much as they like during their first few months of life, as they need a lot of energy and nutrients for their growth. From 6 months onwards, you can use around 5 per cent of their body weight as a guide for their daily food intake. This Feeding recommendation helps to ensure kittens are properly nourished and supports their healthy growth in the best possible way.

How much should a kitten weigh? An overview of weight and growth

Kittens’ weight develops particularly rapidly during the first few months of life. How much food young cats need therefore depends heavily on their age, activity level, growth and breed. Kittens have significantly higher energy requirements than adult cats, particularly during their first year of life.

From the age of 6 months, many kittens weigh on average between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms. By the end of their first year, most cats reach a weight of around 4 to 6 kilograms. Male cats often grow slightly larger and heavier than female cats.

Large cat breeds such as the Maine Coon or the Norwegian Forest Cat often grow more slowly and can become considerably heavier. Consequently, there can be considerable variation in the weight and development of kittens.

Kitten weight by age

The following values are intended as a general guideline only. What matters most is that kittens grow steadily, stay active, and develop a healthy body condition.

When do kittens reach full size?

Most domestic cats are considered to be largely fully grown at around 10 to 12 months. However, large cat breeds can continue to grow for up to 2 to 4 years. 

Until the end of their growth phase, kittens should be fed a higher-energy diet and receive food amounting to 5 per cent of their body weight per day. It is only as the cat gets older and becomes less active that it is advisable to gradually reduce the amount of food, ensuring the cat continues to receive an optimal supply of all essential nutrients.

How do you switch kittens to adult food?

Switching a kitten’s diet to Felins Plus® is not complicated. We take our cue from a cat’s natural behaviour – which means you don’t need to feed a new type of food; you simply adjust the amount. Whilst kittens can eat as much as they like up to 6 months of age, from 6 months onwards they should be given approximately 5 per cent of their body weight in food per day. This recommendation applies until your cat becomes less active as it gets older – at which point you should reduce the amount of food to around 3.5–5 per cent of your cat’s body weight. 

For species-appropriate feeding of kittens: Supplementary Meals with plenty of meat and fish

Next to our wet kitten food with plenty of meat, Supplementary Meals can also enrich your young cat’s diet. 

Our Felins Plus® Chicken Mousse is particularly popular with young cats. It is characterised by its juicy, exceptionally soft texture. Tender chicken is considered particularly easy to digest – meaning that even young cats with sensitive stomachs tolerate our Chicken Mousse very well.

Your kitten should also be introduced to Felins Plus® Pollock with chicken and vegetables at this stage, to get used to the taste and, of course, the texture. Fish contains valuable omega fatty acids, which are important for healthy joints and skin, as well as a glossy coat. 

Dry Food for kittens: a good idea or not?

The topic of dry feeding kittens and adult cats is often debated. However, there are two important reasons that clearly argue against using Dry Food as the main component of a cat’s daily diet.

• As a former desert animal, the cat is naturally adapted to meet its fluid requirements through its prey, which is why it does not drink enough during the day.
• Cats are strict carnivores and, as such, are specialised in utilising proteins. 
   

This is how much water is healthy for your cat

An adult cat requires approximately 45–65 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day. Generally speaking, smaller cats need slightly more water than cats with a higher body weight – though the level of activity and ambient temperature also play a role. Kittens have correspondingly higher water requirements, as they are still growing and require a significant amount of energy. 

Calculation example for water requirements with wet and dry food for a cat weighing 3 kg with a daily water requirement of approximately 195 ml: 
 

Water requirements when feeding wet food: With 150 g of wet food having a moisture content of 80 per cent, the cat already consumes around 120 ml of fluid – so to meet its requirements, it must drink a further 75 ml of water per day.

Water requirements when feeding Dry Food: With 45 g of Dry Food with a moisture content of 9 per cent, the cat only takes in approximately 4 ml of fluid – so to meet its requirements, it must drink a further 191 ml of water per day (this is roughly equivalent to a standard drinking glass filled almost to the brim – unfortunately, very few cats drink this much).

Dry Food for kittens: Why it often has a high carbohydrate content

All Dry Food in the world has one thing in common: its production requires ingredients that ensure the pellets can be pressed into shape and then retain that shape. This is where carbohydrates, and in particular starch, come into play. Starch acts as a binding agent and provides energy, starch is a nutrient that is not abundant in a cats’ natural diet. Nevertheless, every Dry Food relies on a certain carbohydrate content, as otherwise it could not be pressed into a kibble.

As a strict carnivore, the cat is specialised in utilising animal proteins and fats. Unlike humans or many dogs, cats can only adapt their bodies to a carbohydrate-rich diet to a limited extent – which means that even if they eat a lot of carbohydrates (which can certainly serve as a source of energy), their need for high-quality animal protein remains just as high. 

Feeding kittens correctly: How much dry food is healthy

Dry Food for kittens can be healthy if fed in small quantities, for example as a treat whilst playing. It should always be just a small supplement to wet food or a BARF diet and should never replace whole meals. Of course, the quality of the Dry Food also plays a major role here. 

Whilst all Dry Food share the need for a certain proportion of carbohydrates to make them pressible, there are also several factors that distinguish dry kitten food from one another. 

The best dry kitten food: what to look out for

High-quality dry kitten food is characterised by being cold pressed and having the highest possible meat content. It should consist of natural ingredients that are clearly listed, so that you can see and decide what you’re feeding your kitten.

Caring for your kitten the right way: Which supplements are beneficial?

Our Felins Plus® Complete Tinned Meals are complete feeds that provide your young cat with everything it needs during its growth phase – yet, of course, there are always situations in which your kitten may benefit from additional support. 

After all, every cat is unique – their needs depend not only on their age, but also on their breed, temperament and activity level. If they are very active – for example, because there are several young cats in the household who really let off steam together – a small extra meal, such as our Felins Plus® Chicken Mousse or Felins Plus® Full-cream Goat’s Milk Powder, can be very beneficial. 

Particularly boisterous young cats, who do a lot of climbing and jumping, benefit from regular feedings of our Felins Plus® Green-lipped Mussel Powder, as it contains glycosaminoglycans as well as natural taurine. As a source of nutrients for joints, synovial fluid and cartilage, these can make a valuable contribution to maintaining the health of the musculoskeletal system and strengthening the function of healthy joints, ligaments and tendons. 

For all manner of coat and skin issues (such as a dull coat or dandruff), supplements such as Felins Plus® Salmon Oil, Felins Plus® Organic Coconut Oil, Felins Plus® Omega-3 Algae Oil or Felins Plus® Krill Oil can help. 

Our Felins Plus® Omega-3 Algae Oil is rich in the essential omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These can support your kitten’s coat, heart and general vitality. Felins Plus® Krill Oil boosts performance and strength, supports healthy joints and supports heart and circulatory function. Felins Plus® Salmon Oil can be given to kittens suffering from a loss of appetite. It supports the metabolism and ensures a glossy coat and healthy skin. Our Felins Plus® Organic Coconut Oil serves as a high-quality, plant-based source of fat in the diet, nourishes dry patches of skin and also ensures a glossy coat. 

Kitten BARF: How to feed your kitten raw meat

Kittens can be given puréed meat (in several small meals a day) as soon as they are weaned off their mother’s milk. From around 8 weeks of age, they can also be offered small pieces of raw meat. 

As a rule, however, the kitten will move in with you when it is 12–14 weeks old. By this stage, the young cat will already be accustomed to a particular feeding routine, and you should continue with this for 1–2 weeks to allow your kitten to settle in at its own pace. After that, you can replace the first meal with a BARF meal. Do not mix different types of food in the same bowl, as this can upset your kitten’s sensitive digestion. After a few days, once your kitten has tolerated its first BARF meal well, you can then switch the second meal to BARF as well.

Would you like to find out more about BARF for cats? Then take a look at our BARF Guides. 

What is toxic to kittens?

Some things found in a typical household are not suitable for feeding or rewarding our cats. In some cases, it can even be really dangerous, as there is a significant risk of poisoning. 

Toxic foods for cats

Foods that are toxic to cats include, amongst others:

• Chocolate
• Xylitol (often found in chewing gum and sugar-free products)
• Onions
• Grapes/raisins
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Raw yeast dough
• Alcohol
• Products high in caffeine, such as coffee or energy drinks
   

Toxic plants for cats

Cats love to nibble on various plants – so make sure you don’t have any poisonous plants in your home when a cat moves in, and offer your kitten some cat grass regularly. Plants that are poisonous to cats include, amongst others:

• Lily
• Autumn crocus
• Cylindropodium
• Ivy
• Poinsettia
• Oleander
• Dieffenbachia
   

Dangerous medicines for cats

Medicines that are dangerous for cats include, amongst others:

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Diclofenac
• Aspirin
• Pseudoephedrine (often found in cold remedies)
   

Other sources of danger for cats

Other sources of danger for cats include, amongst others:

• Ethylene glycol (a sweet-tasting liquid often found in antifreeze)
• Rat poison
• Permethrin (often found in flea treatments for dogs)
• Nicotine
• Bleach
• Fragrance oils/aroma lamps
• Shoelaces/tinsel/gift ribbon etc.
   

The list above includes everyday household items and things that we usually take for granted, but which can be extremely dangerous and toxic to cats. But what about their food?

Healthy kitten feeding – What should not be in a healthy kitten food

Many commercially available cat foods contain synthetic additives, such as artificial vitamins, flavour enhancers or preservatives, as well as sugar, to increase the food’s palatability or make it more appealing to the human eye. In addition, low-quality plant and animal by-products, such as stalks, husks, claws or feathers, are often processed to fill the food bag cost-effectively. If various animal sources of protein and carbohydrates are also processed at the same time, such food can promote the development of allergies and also contribute to the young cat developing completely misguided dietary habits that may stay with it for life.

Unnecessary, synthetic additives such as artificial vitamins, flavourings or preservatives, sugar, cereals or an excess of carbohydrates should never be present in a high-quality kitten food. As carnivores, cats need mainly meat – and this naturally applies to kittens as well.

What to bear in mind with conventional wet cat food

The rather appealing ‘chunks of meat’ found in many different varieties of wet cat food – usually in jelly or sauce – are generally not high-quality, genuine muscle meat, but rather a mixture of plant-based proteins and by-products, such as soya and cereals, as well as meat meal and animal by-products, such as liver, kidneys or cartilage, as well as binding agents and caramel to hold it together and give it a brownish colour. The mixture is pressed into shape, cooked at high heat and then set in sauce or jelly and marketed as ‘healthy cat or kitten food’. 

You won’t find chunks like this in a high-quality, species-appropriate kitten food! It should resemble a coarse pâté or contain clearly recognisable meat fibres, rather than smooth cubes that are all exactly the same size.

Kittens and parasite prevention: What can you do about worms, ticks and the like?

Whether it’s ticks, fleas or worms, parasites can quickly cause problems for your young cat. Their immune system is still developing, and they are going through an important growth phase that requires plenty of energy. On top of this, parasites can be a real nuisance.

The assumption that you don’t need to worry about parasite prevention for indoor cats is incorrect. Parasites such as ticks and fleas can first enter your home via items of clothing like shoes and jackets, and then find their way onto your cat. Fleas can also transmit worms – so if your cat ever suffers from a flea infestation, you should definitely have a faecal examination carried out afterwards to check whether it has become infected with worms.