Why Do Kittens Have To Eat Kitten Food

Adult cat food has far fewer calories and protein to accommodate their needs.

Why do kittens have to eat kitten food. For example kittens should get about 30 of their energy from protein. Kittens can begin eating solid food at around four weeks old. But kittens have a higher requirement for protein amino acids and minerals as well as for some vitamins. Kittens should be getting more food from the bowl than from nursing at this age.

These nutrients in the kitten s food provide her with the energy and raw materials she needs to build tissues and grow. Kittens are essentially baby carnivores with specialised needs. As they grow used to eating solid food and their teeth continue to develop begin to mix in dry food softened with a bit of water. When commercial kitten formulated food is readily available at stores there is absolutely no reason to give a kitten adult cat food end of story.

For instance the wee ones need much more energy than fully grown felines. When a kitten is around the appropriate weaning age she is sufficiently ready to eat real food. This is important because kittens do not have the exact same dietary needs as adults. You can also reduce the amount of fluid you mix with the food so it s a bit chunkier.

When young cats are old enough around 8 weeks old they start to eat food on their own whilst simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother. An adult or kitten that are different. Basic kitten feeding guide. Kittens will often eat more than an adult cat as they are still growing and developing and need to be fed little and often due to their smaller stomachs.

When can kittens eat hard food. Your kitten is growing so she needs to eat a lot to meet her daily nutritional requirements. Make a bowl of kitten formula available to encourage independent feeding and boost the amount of solid food your kitten is getting. Kittens naturally wean off their mother s milk at around 8 12 weeks of age.

Look for a commercial dry food that is tailored only for kitten consumption. Food provides the energy and raw materials kittens need to grow. Gradually increase the amount of dry food over several days paying attention to the feeding instructions on the back. Essentially feeding a kitten adult cat food may be harmful because you actually may be depriving her of the important vitamins and minerals she needs to grow and thrive for that matter.