Can a cat eat kitten food? There comes a time when you switch your cat from kitten food to regular adult cat food. However, some might be tempted to keep on feeding their adult cat kitten food well past their feeding age. Why? Maybe because it’s cheaper than regular cat food, or because of its higher nutritional value, or maybe they bought it accidentally and don’t want to waste it.
Kitten Food Vs Adult Cat Food
Both kitten and adult cat food come in a variety of flavors and textures, as well as canned and dry options. The main distinction between the two is their composition. Kitten food must have more lipids, proteins, and calories than adult cat food. Adult cat food has fewer calories and frequently contains vitamins and minerals that help cats age effectively.
Kitten Food
Kitten food is any food, wet or dry, that is specifically designed for kittens. Since kittens have different nutritional requirements, kitten food has different amounts of nutrients based on those. This means that these foods should be high in the nutrients, proteins, and vitamins required by a growing baby. In addition, a growing kitten requires more calories than an adult cat. This is why selecting kitten food for a developing cat is critical. It is the most effective strategy to get them started on the path to a better living.
Kitten foods are higher in protein and fat content than adult foods. Kitten food is typically made up of 40-55 percent protein. Kitten meals also contain vital vitamins that kittens require in greater quantities than adult cats. According to AAFCO guidelines, growth formula cat meals for kittens require extra calcium, phosphorus, and specific fatty acids than normal cat diets.
Adult Cat Food
The diets we feed our adult cats are designed to keep them healthy. Your cat should be significantly more developed than a small kitten by the time it reaches adulthood. This means that the vitamins and minerals in their cat food recipes are geared for maintenance rather than growth. A well-balanced adult cat food should also contain fewer calories to minimize weight gain difficulties as your cat grows and, in most cases, slows down.
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Overview of Kitten Vs Cat Food
| Factor | Differences |
| Number of Calories | Kitten food is higher in calories than adult cat food. |
| Fats and Fatty Acids Content | Commercial kitten food has a considerably higher protein content (35-50%) than adult cat food (25-40 percent ). |
| Amount of Protein | Kittens require substantially higher levels of fat in their diet due to their high level of activity. |
| Minerals and Vitamins | Kitten food has more minerals (such as phosphorous and calcium) than adult cat food. |
Can Older Cats Eat Kitten Food?
Yes, senior adult cats can eat kitten food. Kitten food will not cause any sickness or disease to your cat. However, looking from a nutritional perspective, feeding kitten food is not worth it.
The key reason not to feed kitten food to adult cats is that it increases their chances of getting obese because it contains more protein and fat. Carrying too much weight has been connected to a variety of feline health issues. Obese cats are more likely to develop hepatic lipidosis, diabetes, arthritis, lameness, feline urinary tract disease, anesthetic problems, and non-allergenic skin diseases.
Can Adult Cats Benefit from Kitten Food?
There are situations when adult cats would benefit from kitten food. If your senior cat is losing weight owing to a lack of hunger, try feeding them kitten food. The advantage of kitten food is that the cat does not need to consume a large amount of it to achieve its daily caloric requirements. Being a tasty treat also attracts picky cats and tempts them to eat it as a temporary supplement.
How Long Can a Cat Eat Kitten Food?
When your kitten reaches his or her first birthday, it is time to transition to adult cat food. You’ll need to shift your kitten because cats are notorious for being picky eaters. As a result, some pet owners may find it difficult to transition their pets to adult food.
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How to Switch from Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food?
To avoid gastrointestinal problems, gradually transition from kitten food to adult food over a few days. Consult your veterinarian for the ideal way to portion out the food, but it’s normally 75/25 kitten to cat food, then 50/50, then 25/75, and finally 100 percent adult formulation.
For a specific plan, the recommendation is to give 7-10 days of transition over to cat food. Going from one of the aforementioned ratios to the next within a 2 day time period. For e.g, Day 1-2: 75/25, Day 3-4: 50/50, Day 5-7: 25/75, and lastly, Day 8-10: 100%.
Endnote:
While kitten food can be a great option for nursing mothers, it’s not advised to give your adult cat kitten food. Adult cats have different nutritional needs than kittens and if they eat kitten food, they may become obese.
If you have found your cat eating kitten food, the best thing to do is to ask your vet if it’s okay for him to keep doing so. If he continues to eat kitten food after 12 months of age, there could be some complications.
