A quick trip to your local supermarket’s pet aisle will show you that there are countless options for kitten food. Fancy labels and buzzwords are indeed designed to attract you, but the ingredients inside are what matter most. You can feed your kitten any food that says “kitten” on the label, but if you want to keep your kitten healthy, you shouldn’t be buying an average kitten food.
In this list of 10 kitten food reviews, we compare the best options currently available so that you can make an informed decision regarding which is best for your kitten without having to spend hours researching each one individually.
Top Kitten Foods List
1- Healthy Growth Dry Kitten Food by Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo is known for making healthier alternatives to overly processed commercial cat food. On the ingredients list, you’ll see that animal-based protein sources make up three out of the five main ingredients. The primary source of protein is high-quality deboned chicken.
With so many quality animal-based proteins, this food contains at least 36% crude protein, essential for a growing kitten. This food includes ample amounts of essential omega fatty acids as well as taurine.
Advantages
- Three out of five main ingredients are animal-based
- The primary ingredient is deboned chicken
- Minimum crude protein of 36%
- Taurine and essential fatty acids are present
Drawbacks
- A long list of ingredients
2-The Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
Purina ONE Dry Cat Food Healthy Kitten FormulaPurina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food
Purina has worked hard to be easily recognizable and remembered as pet food.
The pessimist in me says that big commercial brands are in it for profit. The optimist in me says Purina One kitten food is different.
As a dry kibble, this formula is highly affordable compared to other foods for kittens. Don’t let this put you off.
This formula contains tons of nutrients aimed at improving the health of your growing kitten.
Chicken and chicken meals make up a minimum of 40% crude protein.
This food contains sufficient amounts of DHA, Taurine, and vitamin E are essential for cats.
Sadly, this formula also contains soy and corn ingredients, contributing to its affordability and nutritional value. In light of the quality you’re getting for the price, we think this is one of the best kitten foods.
Advantages
- Affordably priced compared to other kitten foods
- Kittens need a minimum of 40% protein to grow
- Taurine, DHA, and vitamin E are included in this product
- The first ingredient is chicken
Drawbacks
- It contains corn and soy
3- Instinct Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Grain-Free Original Kitten Recipe with Raw Chicken Freeze-Dried Coated Dry Cat Food
Four of the five main ingredients in this recipe are animal-based protein sources. The primary ingredient is chicken, followed by turkey meal, then menhaden fish meal. Instinct didn’t skimp on quality meat-based proteins, providing a wide variety that adds up to a minimum of 42.5% in protein content.
This food has more than just protein. The food is also rich in DHA, taurine, and essential fatty acids that keep your kitten healthy as it grows. Vitamins and minerals in this blend are mostly derived from whole-food sources instead of supplements, which makes them easier to digest.
Due to the high level of nutrients in this food, it’s not surprising that it’s also rather pricey. Considering the tremendous nutrition this blend provides your kitten; we think it’s worth the higher price. Some kittens, through us, complain about the large size of the kibble bits.
Advantages
- An easy-to-digest grain-free diet
- Four out of five main ingredients are animal-based
- The minimum protein content is 42.5%
- It contains DHA, taurine, and essential fatty acids
- Minerals and vitamins are mainly found in whole foods.
Drawbacks
- Some kittens find the kibble pieces too large
- Quality comes at a price
4- Canned kitten food Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine
The Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken and Rice Medley canned cat food
Hill’s Science Diet focuses primarily on promoting feline health through quality nutrition. Consequently, their products are generally more expensive than their competitors, but you can count on them for adequate nutrition. As a result, this blend contains animal-based ingredients, such as chicken, pork liver, and chicken fat primarily. However, at just 6.5% minimum crude protein, this recipe is lower in protein than many similar offerings from other manufacturers.
This canned cat food doesn’t contain any preservatives or artificial flavors.
It’s all-natural and formulated with kitten health in mind. In addition, vital nutrients are also included in high concentrations, including 0.34% taurine, which is much higher than most competing kitten foods. Most importantly, kittens seem to love this food. Even picky eaters enjoy Hill’s Science Diet, provided you’re willing to pay the extra price.
Advantages
- Composed primarily of animal-based ingredients
- No preservatives or artificial flavors
- Even picky kittens will enjoy this tasty treat
- Taurine content is higher than many alternatives
Drawbacks
- Price to volume ratio is pretty high.
- The protein content is lower than other blends
5- The Wellness Complete Health Kitten Formula Grain-Free
Wellness Complete Health kitten formula falls is a canned kitten food in 3-ounce cans and is more affordable than many health-oriented canned kitten foods. Your cat’s coat will remain luscious with its high content of fatty acids derived primarily from fish oil and flaxseed. Additionally, an 11% minimum protein content means there’s plenty of protein for growing kittens. However, there isn’t much DHA or taurine compared to similar products, so supplementation might be needed.
This grain-free recipe is easy for kittens to digest since it is grain-free. Although it contains no grains, it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to ensure your cat’s health. Even if it’s not our first choice, we’d undoubtedly make use of this as a backup food if our favorites were unavailable.
Advantages
- Fish oil and flaxseed provide fatty acids
- Kittens need high protein content to grow
- Kittens can easily digest grain-free recipes
- It is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Drawbacks
- It contains little DHA or taurine
6- Wet Kitten Food by Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition
Royal Canin wet kitten food ranks at the very top of the kitten food price hierarchy. Despite costing more than most competitors, it’s not the most calorically dense kitten food, with only 78 calories per three-ounce can. It does contain 11% minimum crude protein at the very least, which comes from various animal sources, including chicken, chicken liver, pork liver, and chicken by-products, which is listed as primary ingredient. As an alternative to Royal Canin, we prefer higher-quality proteins such as chicken and deboned turkey as ingredients.
The flavor is one thing we can’t complain about. So far, we haven’t found a kitty who doesn’t like Royal Canin wet kitten food. This food might be worth trying if you have a picky eater. If your cat eats other foods, we suggest finding a more reasonably-priced alternative with superior-quality ingredients.
Advantages
- It contains plenty of protein
- Four out of five primary ingredients come from animals
- It contains a variety of protein sources
- Cats seem to love the taste
Drawbacks
- Expensive compared to alternatives
- The main ingredient is chicken by-products
- Calorically not very dense
7- Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food by Diamond Naturals
Dry kitten food from Diamond Naturals is reasonably priced and of good quality. There is no corn, wheat, soy, or peas in this food, which are all poor cats’ ingredients. Chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat are three of the five primary ingredients. Further down the list, you’ll find a fish meal and salmon meal, as well as other animal-based proteins. A number of whole-food ingredients were also used to provide nutrients, such as pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, carrots, spinach, and many more.
Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula has only .05% DHA which falls way below many other brands. Also its 34% crude protein is pretty low for growing kittens.
Advantages
- Priced affordably
- Three out of five top ingredients are animal-based
- It does not contain corn, wheat, soy, or peas
Drawbacks
- It contains less DHA than other blends
- There is not as much protein in some kitten foods
8- Grain-free Real Healthy Kitten Recipe Canned Cat Food from Whole Earth Farms
Since the Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Canned Kitten Food comes in five-ounce cans, it’s very affordable. The recipe is grain-free, so it’s easy on kittens’ sensitive digestive systems. Based on the ingredients list, there are several animal-based proteins, including chicken and chicken liver. 9% total protein isn’t as high as we would like, but it’s not as low as other blends we’ve seen.
This blend lacks DHA, as it contains none. It contains 0.1% taurine, which isn’t exceptionally high, but it’s enough. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have the best flavor, as many cats seemed turned off by it and weren’t interested in eating it.
Picky eaters may avoid this food. Maybe because of its dry texture even though the moisture rating is listed as 78%
Advantages
- The price to volume ratio is reasonable.
- A grain-free recipe is easier on the digestive system
- Provides a variety of animal-based protein sources
Drawbacks
- DHA is not present
- Picky eaters avoid this food
- For canned food, it’s surprisingly dry
9- Grain-free Now Fresh Kitten Recipe Dry Cat Food
Now Fresh offers a grain-free kitten recipe that is easier to digest. There is plenty of taurine and essential fatty acids for a growing kitten, though it’s low in EPA and DHA at 0.05%.
In the first five ingredients, we found peas, potatoes, and potato flour, which are poor choices for cat food.
Deboned turkey, is the only one of the top five ingredients that are animal-based. The next animal-based ingredient is down at number 11.
It is costly dry kitten food. A three-pound bag of some recipes from other companies is more costly than a six-pound one. There are a lot of whole-food ingredients in this recipe to provide vitamins and minerals, like pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, blueberries, and pomegranate. However, the food contains very few animal-based proteins, which may be why picky eaters don’t seem to like it. Now Fresh Grain-Free doesn’t appear to offer enough for the price.
Advantages
- Taurine and essential fatty acids are abundant
- Minerals and vitamins mainly from whole foods
- Deboned turkey is the main ingredient
Drawbacks
- For a small amount, it’s very expensive.
- There is only one meat-based protein in the main ingredients
- DHA is low
- Foods like this don’t seem to appeal to picky eaters.
10- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Kitten Dinner Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free kitten food can be purchased in 3-ounce or 5.5-ounce cans. Because it’s grain-free, it should be easier to digest for kittens than recipes that use grains. But it doesn’t just contain grains. Also, you won’t find wheat, soy, corn, or peas here.
Instead, you’ll find a lot of meat-based ingredients. A total of four of the five main components are animal-based, including deboned chicken and deboned salmon. These ingredients carry a hefty premium for these ingredients, as this food is significantly more expensive than alternatives. It smells foul and is unappetizing despite its high price. Cats share the same opinion since many of them refuse this food. Those cats that do eat it often experience watery, strong-smelling waste afterward. We don’t mind paying a premium for quality kitten food, but Merrick didn’t deliver as we expected with the Purrfect Bistro blend.
Advantages
- Four out of five primary ingredients are meat-based proteins
- Grass-free for easy digestion
- It does not contain wheat, soy, corn, or peas
Drawbacks
- Compared to alternatives, it is more expensive
- This product has a bad smell.
- Many cats don’t like this food
- It makes your cat’s waste watery and smelly