Whether it’s a kitten or a child in the house, it’s a hassle. And one of the main problems is feeding the new tiny family member. He won’t tell you what he likes and what he doesn’t. And in order to avoid mistakes in feeding a kitten, you need to rely either on your own experience or on this article.

From 2 months and older

At the age of 2-4 months, the kitten develops sharp teeth. He should be able to eat from a bowl on his own. Due to intensive growth, the pet needs a complete and balanced diet. The basis should be lean meat, boiled vegetables and porridge. It is recommended to cook the cereal in plenty of liquid so that it becomes liquid.

In the period from 4 to 6 months, cats begin to actively form and strengthen muscle mass. The diet should consist of chicken and beef. They are cut into small pieces. You can continue to give dairy products in minimal quantities. Cow’s milk should be avoided. The porridge begins to be cooked in less water, increasing the thickness of the consistency. You can enrich your diet with cucumbers and zucchini, both raw and boiled.

When the kitten is six months old, it is worth diversifying its diet. Food is cut into larger pieces. During the same period, you can begin to introduce industrial feed. Six months is almost an adult animal. You can start introducing your pet to canned meat for adult cats. Also prepare vegetable soups with fish or meat. Cereals (only buckwheat or oat flakes), eggs (up to five months – only the yolk) can also be introduced into the diet from 4 months.

The exception is dry food. The kitten must be fed only with special food for kittens. Its peculiarity is that it is more fragile, unlike food for adult cats. Milk teeth may not be able to cope with hard food granules and the kitten will injure its jaw.

Proper nutrition for a pet: features

When it comes to kittens, there are several principles that owners should follow:

• Balance. The animal must receive all the necessary vitamins and substances with food. As your pet gets older, its needs will change somewhat. It is important not to miss this moment so that there is no deficiency of substances;
• Freshness of food. If it is natural food, then it should be freshly prepared. Ready-made wet food is given out in portions. What the pet hasn’t eaten is put in the refrigerator or thrown away;
• Feeding frequency. Kittens are fed frequently and in small portions. For pets younger than 3 months, maintain an interval of 4 hours. As you grow older, the gap increases, as does the serving size;
• Gradual introduction of new products. New food is given carefully. It is recommended to maintain a supply interval of 2 days. The first portion should be small;
• Room temperature food. Applies to all food offered to the kitten. This will avoid irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa or burns;
• Pure water. The bowl with it should always be available to the animal. The water is changed at least once a day. It’s better to place a couple of bowls in several places;
• The diet is natural or ready-made. It is worth deciding in advance what food the kitten will consume. Then you won’t have to change your diet in the future, and the animal will get used to the new food.

When choosing natural food, it is important to remember that not all foods from the human table can be consumed by cats.

Which food is better – dry or wet?

Dry and wet food contain similar sets of microelements necessary for a kitten. All of them are age appropriate. The difference lies in the cooking technology. Dry food is dehydrated, wet food undergoes sterilization treatment, after which it is packaged in cans or pouches.

Each kitten owner makes his own decision about what type of food to choose.

Wet food is easy to chew, making it convenient to eat. This type of nutrition partially satisfies the daily fluid requirement. However, it is not recommended to store an uneaten portion in the refrigerator.

Dry food is used sparingly. If the kitten has not finished its portion, the granules can be poured into branded packaging. Their use provides additional prevention of tartar formation.
In the lines of many manufacturers of ready-made feeds, there are specialized types: veterinary, hair removal, for the prevention of urolithiasis, and others.
Important! Carefully follow the feeding recommendations on the packaging.

High-quality kitten food should contain:

1. Vitamin A:

• participates in the growth and renewal of tissues;
• promotes protein synthesis and metabolism;
• good for vision;
• protects mucous membranes from infections;
• strengthens the immune system.

2. Vitamin C:

• promotes the production of interferons;
• supports the functioning of the digestive system;
• increases the protective function of the body;
• provides elasticity of vascular cells.

3. Vitamin D3 promotes the development of the musculoskeletal system.

4. Vitamin E:

• forms the reproductive system;
• is an antioxidant.

5. Vitamin B is necessary for the proper formation of internal organs.

6. Iodine:

• regulates brain activity;
• helps strengthen the nervous system;
• necessary for the growth and development of a young organism.

7. Iron provides oxygen to internal organs.

8. Zinc supports the immune system.

9. L-Carnitine:

• participates in metabolism;
• controls weight.