Glossary

Kitten food

A food with more energy, protein, fat and minerals than adult food, made to support a kitten's fast growth.

Also called: growth diet, kitten diet, food for growth, kitten kibble

Kitten food is made for growth. Compared with adult food, it contains more calories for each portion, more protein and fat and higher levels of calcium and phosphorus to build bones and teeth. Many also include DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid linked to brain and eye development. On the label, look for a statement that the food suits growth, or all life stages.

Kittens have small stomachs and high energy needs, so they should eat several small meals a day, often three or four when young, and move to fewer meals as they get older. Wet and dry food can both work, and a mix is common. Keep fresh water available. Follow the feeding guide on the pack, then adjust with your vet based on how the kitten grows.

Most kittens switch to adult food at about a year, though large breeds may stay on kitten food longer. Ask your vet when to switch. Change foods over a week or so, mixing the new into the old to avoid stomach upsets. An adult cat should not stay on kitten food, as it is rich and promotes weight gain. See complete and balanced for reading labels.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Kitten A cat in its first months of life, from birth until about six months to a year old, a time of rapid growth, learning and vaccinations. Weaning The gradual switch from mother's milk to solid food, which usually starts at about four weeks and is mostly complete by eight to ten weeks. Complete and balanced A pet-food label claim that a food supplies all the nutrients a cat needs at a stated life stage, when used as the only diet. Wet food Cat food sold in cans, pouches or trays, containing roughly 70 to 80 percent water, which helps a cat get more fluid. Junior cat The life stage from about seven months to two years, when a cat reaches adult size and sexual maturity and its energy peaks.

Related guides

The first week with a kitten A day-by-day plan for the first week with a new kitten: the safe room, food, litter, sleep, the first vet visit and the warning signs that need a call. Feeding a kitten: food, amounts and timing How to choose kitten food, how often to feed through the first year, wet versus dry, water and weight checks, and the signs that call for a vet.