Proper Nutrition for Your New Kitten
Canned food is the perfect choice for most kittens. It is always ready to use and contains all the vitamins and minerals needed to keep your new kitten in perfect health.
Dry cat food is also an excellent choice and comes in a variety of flavors that most cats will enjoy. The main difference between dry and canned food is the moisture content. So if you choose to feed your new kitten dry food you will need to keep fresh water available at all times.
Dry food is an excellent choice for the older kitten because it is more concentrated than can food, therefore your kitten does not need to eat as much to cover its nutritional needs and keep its energy level up.
Should I give my kitten milk?
Although there is nothing wrong with giving your kitten milk as an occasional treat, the best drink for cats of all ages is fresh water. The water should be replaced as often as needed. Even though there are many kittens that can drink milk more often than the occasional treat with no problems, others may suffer from diarrhea because of the lactose and the effect it has on their delicate systems.
When should I feed my kitten?
Most people choose to feed their kittens by simply putting out a bowl containing a days supply of food because most cats are grazers and prefer to nibble on their food throughout the day. If at the end of the day you see there is food still left in the bowl, just feed your kitten a little less the next day. If they have gobbled down every last morsel, offer a little more food the next day.
Practical Feeding Tips
Never feed your kitten dog food. It does not contain enough protein and minerals to keep your growing kitten healthy, and in rare cases can by highly toxic for very young kittens.
Do not make the mistake of overfeeding your kitten by giving them an over abundance of treats or table scraps. If you do choose to give your kitten treats as a reward be sure they have some nutritional value. Mixing a little cottage cheese, chicken, or tuna with your kitten's dry food is an excellent choice. If you give your kitten table scraps make sure they are free of spices.
Never feed your kitten food straight from the refrigerator. Always allow the food to reach room temperature before giving it to your kitten to keep from shocking its system and therefore causing diarrhea.
Never feed your kitten alcohol or chocolate. They are both highly toxic and when ingested in even small amounts can be lethal to your cat.
Most importantly, always check with your veterinarian about the proper foods for your cat or kitten's age, health, and activity level.
Published by Kimber Marie
Kimber recently left her full-time job as a Pre-K teacher to concentrate on freelance writing. She is a single mom living in a small town with her two children, and four very meddlesome cats. View profile
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- Your new kitten needs to eat meat products and vegetables to stay healthy.
- Canned food is the perfect choice for most cats.
- Always check with your veterinarian about the proper food for your cat's age and activity level.