Food guide
What to feed kittens
Kittens need a lot of energy and protein for their size, along with nutrients like taurine that cats can't make enough of themselves. Choose a food that states it is complete for growth.
Work out how much to feedWhat to look for
- A pack statement that the food is complete and balanced for growth or for all life stages (AAFCO or FEDIAF).
- Small, frequent meals through the day, since kittens have tiny stomachs and high energy needs.
- A mix of wet and dry food can help with hydration, if both are complete diets.
- Slow food changes over a week or more.
Common mistakes
- Dog food or homemade meat-only diets: they miss nutrients that cats specifically need.
- Cow's milk. Many cats can't digest lactose well.
- Kittens that stop eating for a day. This warrants a vet check.
Ask your vet first if
- Any diagnosed condition (kidney, heart, diabetes, allergies, pancreatitis, urinary problems): these need a vet-chosen diet, not a generic pick.
- Sudden appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhoea or weight change.
How we will pick specific foods
We aren't publishing product picks yet. Before we list any food, it has to meet each of these, checked against the manufacturer's own label:
- Complete for the life stage. The pack carries an adequacy statement (AAFCO or FEDIAF) for the stage the page is about.
- Named animal protein first. The first ingredient is a named animal protein, with protein and fat percentages listed.
- Maker transparency. The maker publishes recall history and says who formulates the diet, ideally a qualified veterinary nutritionist.
- Real availability and price. Sold in India, with price per 1,000 kcal so packs can be compared fairly.
Criteria are based on WSAVA's public guidance on choosing a pet food. Rankings are our editorial judgement and we don't accept payment to place a food.
Other guides
General information only, not veterinary advice. Feeding needs vary between individual animals.