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NUTRITION FOR KITTENS

Nutrition for kittens is important for the first few months of a growing kitten’s life. Get a handle on the basics of feeding your kitten and hammer out a diet plan that meets her nutritional requirements.

feed her right from the start

Since kittens grow very quickly and go through two stages of growth before adulthood – babycat and kitten – they need a specific diet in each stage that meets all their basic nutritional needs in order to strengthen their immune systems, promote proper neurosensory development and facilitate bone growth.

Dry formulas

Mother & Babycat (2 – 4 months)

Baby cats grow so quickly and require tailored nutrition that meets their specific needs. A mother cat’s milk has protective antibodies to support her kitten’s natural defenses. But as a baby cat transitions to eating solids, their immune systems are still developing. This “immunity gap” leaves a kitten in a fragile state. With growing bones, emerging teeth, and developing immune and digestive systems, they need the right nutrition to grow strong.

Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Dry Kibble feeds your young kitten’s wellness from the beginning with the building blocks needed for healthy growth: Essential nutrients like DHA for brain development. Immune system-strengthening antioxidants and vitamins. Highly digestible proteins and prebiotics for a maturing digestive system. And transitioning your newborn kitten to solid food is simple: The unique, tiny kibble can be rehydrated with warm water for a softer food that eases kittens to a more “grown-up” diet.

Kitten (4 – 12 months)

A growing kitten requires a nutrition plan which controls fat levels to help maintain a healthy weight, while adding protein, antioxidants and prebiotics that help spayed/neutered kittens thrive.

By the time a kitten gets to be around 4 months old, their growth rate slows, but their activity levels skyrocket. With intensifying energy levels, developing bones, growing muscles, and emerging teeth, older kittens need a different kind of nutrition than a younger baby cat.

Royal Canin Kitten Dry Food gives your kitten a healthy start with nutritional precision: An innovative mix of highly digestible proteins, vitamins, and other essential minerals support their maturing digestive system and keeps their growing bodies strong. And an exclusive blend of antioxidants supports their developing immune system.

Wet formulas

Babycat Instinctive (1 – 4 months)

ROYAL CANIN® Mother & Babycat Loaf eases the transition from mother’s milk to solid foods and is specially formulated to be instinctively preferred by young kittens with its extra-soft mousse.

This wet food is suitable for gestating or lactating mother cats and 1 to 4 month old kittens during their 1st age. Between 4 and 12 weeks after birth, the natural immunity acquired from the mother's colostrum (a milky secretion rich in protective antibodies) gradually decreases. ROYAL CANIN® Mother & Babycat contains a patented complex of antioxidants, including vitamin E, which helps to support the kittens' natural defences while their immune systems are still developing.

Kitten Instinctive (4 – 12 months)

ROYAL CANIN® Kitten Instinctive in Gravy Complements dry kitten formulas with thin slices in gravy designed for kittens’ tiny mouths.

This wet food provides all the essential nutrients needed to sustain high energy requirements and support bone strengthening as well as good overall health maintenance. During the second growth stage (4-12 months), your kitten's immune system will not be fully developed yet. ROYAL CANIN Kitten Instinctive helps strengthen the natural body defences of your kitten with a complex of antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine and lutein. ROYAL CANIN® Kitten Instinctive in Gravy is specifically designed for easy chewing, and it's also suitable to feed to mother cats.

choose a veterinarian

When it comes to questions about feeding times, quantities, or what brand of food will meet your kitten’s nutritional needs, all pet parents remember this simple mantra: Ask a vet.

Pick a veterinarian that has expertise in dealing with cats, is close to your home in case of emergencies and is open during hours convenient with your schedule. Also familiarize yourself with the after-hours emergency services available in your area. Don’t know where to begin? Check with friends and family members with pets. But make sure to meet the veterinarian and see the facilities to determine if they are the best option for you.

get to know your kitten

Kittens use different methods of communication depending on whether they want to make themselves understood by people or other animals.

Rubbing against you – When your kitten rubs against you, she is sharing her scent and including you in her territory.
Kneading – When your kitten kneads her paws at you for long periods, she is expressing intense pleasure.
Rolling on the ground – When your kitten rolls on the ground as soon as she sees you, she is showing submission.
Tail waving – When your kitten moves her tail, she is expressing irritation.
Purring – When your kitten purrs, she is showing submission and contentment.
Growling and hissing – When your kitten growls or hisses, she is trying to intimidate and may be foreshadowing an attack.
Meowing – There are many types of meows, each expressing something different.
Hiding – When your kitten hides, she may be feeling insecure, stressed or scared. Help your cat cope by providing a safe retreat.