Digestible Food for Young Cats

Between the 2nd and 12th month of life, only high-quality kitten food should be fed. This contains a higher proportion of certain nutrients to best support the development and growth of your young cat.

Certain nutrients are particularly important for kittens for healthy growth and good development. These include proteins for muscle building, fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for brain and eye development, as well as essential vitamins and minerals like calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth. Taurin, an essential amino acid, is also important for heart function and vision.

Kittens should receive five to six small meals a day up to the age of six months. After this, the number of meals can be reduced and the portions increased. This feeding method is based on their natural eating behavior, as even free-living cats consume many small meals throughout the day.

Young cats have an increased energy requirement up until the 12th month of life. From the 1st year onwards, you can then switch to a food for adult cats.

Kittens should receive special kitten food until the 12th month, as it contains the necessary nutrients for their growth. From the 12th month, you can gradually switch to adult food. This is done by initially mixing small amounts of adult food into the usual kitten food and gradually increasing the proportion of the new food. This transition phase should last about one to two weeks to avoid overwhelming the cat's digestive tract and to give it enough time to get used to the new food.

Generally, there's nothing wrong with feeding your kitten a junior dry food. Always make sure your kitten drinks enough. If necessary, a mixed diet of dry and wet food may also be suitable.