Feeding your kitten: some food for thought
When you bring your kitten home for the first time, it’s best not to change your kitten’s food straight away. Remember to find out what your kitten has been eating before you became her new pet parent and then move her on to the new food over a 5 – 7 day period. Mix the new food into her usual food, and gradually increase the amounts until only the new food is in your kitten’s bowl, your vet will advise you on this process.
As you can imagine, a kitten’s stomach is tiny, so to begin with, she’ll need small but frequent meals. This means putting out fresh food in a clean bowl, up to 4 times a day until she’s 6 months old.
Choose carefully
A “complete” kitten food will provide all the vitamins and minerals your kitten needs in an easy-to-serve form, either as dry food, or wet in cans or pouches. If you’re unsure which to buy, your vet will advise you about which is best for your pet. But whatever food you choose, follow the feeding guide on the pack, and be careful not to over feed your kitten.
Tasty Tips
Thirsty kittens
Believe it or not, kittens don’t need milk. And for some cats, cows’ milk can actually cause diarrhoea. So if you want to give your kitten some milk, specially formulated cat milk is available. Notwithstanding that, please make sure your kitten has a bowl of fresh clean water at all times. If you suspect she’s not drinking enough, it may be she can taste chemicals in it, so give her still bottled water. Some cats even prefer to drink from flowing water sources, like fountains or dripping taps so you can buy water fountains designed especially for cats. And don’t forget that if she’s eating dry, crunchy food, it’s essential you give her plenty of water.
Don’t worry, being sick sometimes is normal
If your kitten has a minor digestive problem, or needs to bring up a hairball, she will make herself sick by eating grass. This is quite natural and there’s nothing to worry about. But if the vomiting persists and you spot other symptoms, you’ll need to consult your vet.
Related products
Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food is specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life.
Kitten Food
Tender chicken chunks in gravy for kittens, with omega-3s for healthy eye & brain development and high-quality protein to support muscle growth. With balanced minerals to promote strong bones & teeth.
Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Adult cat food with egg & insect protein is a complete pet food for adult cat 1–6 years old. It's formulated for cats with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan HAIRBALL & PERFECT COAT Adult cat food with Chicken is specially formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential Omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
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Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.