What Can Kittens Eat and What Should They Avoid?

Kittens’ Nutritional Needs

Before we get to what kittens can eat and what they should avoid, let’s review the nutrients kittens need to grow healthy and strong.

Calories

First of all, your growing kitten will need ample calories to fuel their abundance of energy. In fact, a kitten needs a lot more calories than an adult cat.

Protein

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need essential amino acids from animal protein sources such as fish, beef, and chicken to survive.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids (think Omega-3 and Omega-6) support your kitty’s healthy skin, fur, reproductive system, and metabolism.

Minerals

Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, and magnesium are crucial for kittens, as these minerals help support a kitty’s growth and development.

Vitamins

Your kitten needs essential vitamins to support growth and overall maintenance of health. These include Vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2, B6, B9, and B12.

Taurine and Choline

Taurine is an amino acid, mainly found in animal proteins, that cats need to eat in order to properly develop their vision, heart health, and immunity.

Choline is an essential nutrient for cats as well, and, unfortunately, a sufficient amount of it is not made naturally in kittens’ bodies.

Water

It may seem obvious, but your kitten needs lots of water for survival. Always keep clean water available, whether in a fountain with a filter or by replacing their bowl of water daily.

What Can Kittens Eat: Human Food

Meats and Fish

As we said earlier, kittens need protein from animal sources, so any chicken, beef, or fish will be well-received. Limiting seasonings and not frying is best.

Fruits and Vegetables

Your kitten can eat a range of fresh fruits and vegetables in small quantities. Safe fruits include strawberries, melon, bananas, pears, blueberries, and nectarines. As for veggies, they can try green beans, peas, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower.

Eggs

Although your cat should never eat raw eggs, a cooked egg is perfectly safe for them.

Starches

Rice, potatoes, and pasta are also safe for kittens in small quantities (and without all the extras we humans tend to add for flavor).

What Can Kittens Eat: Kitten Food

Wet Kitten Food

Wet kitten food contains a lot of water, which could help support your kitty’s hydration. Wet food also tends to be tasty and more aromatic, increasing interest, while being easy for their little teeth to bite into.

Dry Kitten Food

Dry kitten food is good for your kitty’s overall dental health, as it can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.

Treats

From about six months on, your kitten can be fed TEMPTATIONS™ kitten treats, something they’re sure to enjoy! Keep in mind that they should not get more than 10% of their daily calories from treats or snacks.

Foods Kittens Should Avoid

Onions and Garlic

Kittens must steer clear of onions and garlic because they’re made up of sulfur-containing oxidants, disulfides, and thiosulfates that are toxic to cats and can damage their red blood cells.

Chocolate and Other Caffeine

Just like with a dog, chocolate is a hard no. The theobromine and caffeine in chocolate can be toxic to cats, even in small amounts. As for caffeine, although it’s unlikely that your cat will go for your morning coffee, the coffee beans (or even tea bags) can make them sick.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins must be avoided because they can be toxic to cats.

Citrus Fruit

You also want to avoid feeding your kitten citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits.

Avocados

Say no to avocados for your kitty; the fat content is so high that it can cause pancreatitis.

Most Dairy Products

Contrary to popular opinion (thanks, Hollywood), you might think serving a little saucer of milk is just right for your baby kitty, but take heed: cats are lactose intolerant.

Salty Foods

Foods high in salt can be dehydrating for your kitten, and too much of it can lead to health concerns.

Raw or Undercooked Foods

Your kitten should avoid raw or undercooked foods, as these may have harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, or parasites like Toxoplasma or tapeworms.

Xylitol

Xylitol, a sugar substitute often present in sugar-free gum, toothpaste, candy, baked goods, and even some peanut butter, is highly toxic for cats and must be avoided.

Alcohol

It’s no surprise that you should never feed a kitten (or any animal) alcohol. It is extremely toxic and can cause alcohol poisoning.

Nuts

Nuts can not only cause digestive issues for kittens but can also be a choking hazard and cause intestinal obstructions.

Dog Food

If you’ve got a dog in the house, your kitten might get curious and try to eat from their bowl. The problem is that dogs have different nutritional needs, so if your kitty does this, they’re not getting the specific things, like taurine, that they need to grow strong and healthy.

When Can Kittens Start Eating Solid Food?

Kittens typically begin transitioning to solid food around three to four weeks of age, when they naturally start to wean from their mother’s milk. This doesn’t mean they stop nursing immediately. It simply means kittens would start exploring solid food, while also nursing from their mothers. By eight weeks, most kittens are fully weaned and ready to eat specially formulated kitten food on their own. During the transition, you can offer wet kitten food softened with a little warm water to make it easier to eat. Once their teeth are established and they’re eating confidently, you can introduce dry kitten food, either alongside wet food or as a standalone. Don’t forget to reward them every once in a while with their favorite TEMPTATIONS™ cat treats as well.

Tips for Feeding Your Kitten

Read the Label

The first thing you should do before feeding your kitten is to read the label on the food. Look for products that list animal protein (like chicken, salmon, or tuna) as the first ingredient, and check that the food is specifically formulated for kittens.

Choose Food That’s Easy to Chew

Young kittens have small, developing teeth, so food that’s appropriately sized and soft is key. Wet kitten food is often a great starting point for very young kittens, while smaller-format dry food becomes suitable as they grow.

Mix It Up

Offering a variety of flavors and textures early on helps prevent your kitten from becoming overly fixed on a single food, which can make feeding tricky as they grow. Rotate proteins, try different textures, and throw in a treat or two to keep things exciting.

Happy Kitty, Healthy Options!

Feeding your kitten well sets the stage for a lifetime of health, energy, and those wonderfully dramatic midnight zoomies you’ve come to know and love. Start with the right kitten food, be mindful of what to avoid, and don’t forget to make treat time a joyful bonding moment, too.

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