With the advent of a small kitten in the house, the owners immediately have a lot of questions related to his departure. First of all, it is necessary to monitor the nutrition of the pet so that it develops properly and delights with its small pranks. Choosing food for kittens, reviews about it are better to study in advance. The growing body of the animal requires a special approach, so the proposed food may not suit him, which will cause an upset stomach.
Importance of feed quality
Often kittens get into a new home at the age of 2-3 months. Usually, the responsible breeders had already done the necessary vaccinations by this time and accustomed the animal to ordinary food. When choosing the food for kittens, the reviews of veterinarians should be studied carefully by the owners, especially if the pet is considered thoroughbred. But it is also important for an ordinary kitten to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals with food for harmonious development.
In the market for pet products, many products from different manufacturers are offered. Sometimes it is difficult for an ordinary cat lover to understand them. But the food must contain the necessary trace elements and vitamins so that the digestive, muscular and skeletal system does not suffer from the pet. Food for kittens (reviews confirm this) has a great influence on the quality of the coat.
The obligatory composition of good food
Lack of nutrients and vitamins leads to stunting in young individuals and can trigger the appearance of various diseases.
Veterinarians in reviews of feed for kittens indicate that they should include the following components:
- Trace elements for growth and development: taurine, iron, iodine, zinc, L-carnitine. Without them, the growth of an animal and the full development of all systems of its body are impossible.
- Vitamin A, which is responsible for kitten's vision and bone growth.
- Vitamin C is indispensable for the development of the digestive system, excellent immunity and promotes the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels.
- Vitamin D is responsible for blood circulation.
- Vitamin E is responsible for the future reproductive function of the kitten.
- B vitamins improve metabolism, help strengthen blood vessels and muscle tissue.
Therefore, in order to choose a good food for kittens, reviews of veterinarians should be taken into account. Experts have different opinions about the varieties of the animal’s diet, which we will consider below.
What's better?
Even experts sometimes argue which food is best for a small pet - dry or wet. In this case, it is better to focus on the breed of the animal, its age, personal preferences of the owner and his financial capabilities.
But it should be remembered that it is not necessary to feed the animal with feed of economy-class manufacturers. They contain no natural meat, and the amount of vitamins and nutrients is negligible. In addition, flavoring agents and preservatives are added to them for long-term storage and improved taste.
Dry feed
Veterinarians in reviews of good food for kittens claim that the product of high-quality brands, as a rule, is completely balanced.
It should be remembered that this type of food is suitable for a pet from two months of age. The pieces themselves are quite tough, so it will be difficult for the kitten to cope with him if he is still too small. But, according to experts, eating solid food is a good prevention of such a scourge as tartar.
Reviews about the feed of kittens show that it is better to choose premium brands. Only they have all the useful substances necessary for the development of the pet.
The best brands of dry feed
As a rule, veterinarians recommend choosing the following types of dry food:
- Royal Canin. The composition for the most part consists of meat, in addition, indigestible substances are excluded from it. The food is balanced and easily digested by the stomach.
- ProPlan Food for premium kittens (reviews of professional breeders confirm this) do not contain preservatives and have a natural composition.
- Eagle Pack Holistic Select. Most suitable food for kittens, according to veterinarians. Its composition includes probiotics. Enzymes are easily digested. Contains a fully balanced vitamin and mineral complex. Meets protein, fat and carbohydrate requirements.
- Canidae. The food is free from preservatives and has a natural composition.
Professional cat breeders do not recommend purchasing food in supermarkets because only economy-class brands enter it. To purchase, it is better to go to a specialized pet store or veterinary pharmacy.
Advantages of dry feed and its disadvantages
Cat breeders respond positively to reviews of dry kitten food. To many of them, it seemed convenient in terms of use. They distinguish its following advantages:
- Balance Each piece contains a lot of nutrients necessary for the development of a kitten.
- Eliminates feed error. This means that the owner cannot accidentally include inappropriate food in the diet that will cause digestive upset.
- Dry food does not need any processing and is completely ready for use.
The main disadvantage of such feeds is the high cost of a quality product. Veterinarians advise feeding a kitten only premium brands, so for some their price can be a repulsive factor.
But cheap feeds contain too many preservatives, increasing their shelf life. Instead of meat, as a rule, veins, bones and skins are included in the composition.
Wet bait
The main difference between these types of feed is their constitution. The composition of wet products is almost the same as dry. As with previous species, there are economy and premium class feeds.
The main advantage of wet food is that it can be offered to a kitten a little earlier. Soft pieces easily give way to the weak jaws of a small animal, so a month-old pet will cope with them.
When choosing, it is worth paying attention to the marking “for kittens”. Pieces for them make even less and enrich with an additional complex of nutrients that contribute to growth and development.
Manufacturers produce a variety of wet kitten food. Reviews show that mousses and gentle creamy meat purees are very popular with pets and prepare the animal well when switching from mother's milk to adult food.
Recommended Wet Food
Among manufacturers, there are many companies that produce quality products. However, there are fakes, so it is imperative to pay attention to the quality of the packaging.
The following brands of wet foods are most popular:
- Flatazor. It includes dietary meat and phytoactive components.
- Doctor Alders. It has a wide range of diverse tastes. The composition contains only natural components that exclude the development of allergic reactions.
- Felidae. Inexpensive and good food for kittens. Reviews of breeders confirm that the composition is natural, it contains all the necessary trace elements and recommended vitamins.
- Hills. The composition contains only natural meat. Enriched with magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, essential for a growing body.
Feed for premium kittens reviews of breeders are only positive. Their composition meets all the requirements of specialists and does not cause problems with the digestive system of a kitten.
Pros and cons of wet food
The benefits of wet food are usually exactly the same as those of a dry product. But its main difference is that it can partially satisfy the pet in the liquid. In addition, after drinking does not require as much water as after dry.
The disadvantages of the wet option are also associated with its price, especially if you purchase a premium quality brand. It should be borne in mind that with constant feeding in wet pieces, care must be taken about anti-tartar preparations.
What food is better for kittens? Reviews on the network can be found to be contradictory. The choice primarily depends on the composition of the product and personal preferences of the pet.
Selection rules
Despite the similar advantages of dry and wet food, many pet owners are faced with the problem of choice. Professional breeders are advised to choose the following brands of dry food:
- Royal Canin.
- ProPlan
- Eagle Pack Holistic Select.
These manufacturers offer a wide range of feeds, but their cost does not suit everyone. It is worth noting that feeding cheap counterparts can adversely affect the health of the kitten. The thing is that the economy option always contains too much salt and preservatives.
Many people prefer canned kitten food. Which is better? Reviews of veterinarians suggest that it is better to prefer a species that completely eliminates flavors. Of course, premium brands cannot be stored for long. Therefore, they are placed on a plate immediately before use.
Kitten Feeding Highlights
Veterinarians in reviews of kitten food indicate that it is better to prefer premium products. Quality brands are fully balanced and meet the needs of a young animal organism.
But often the owners want to pamper the pet with homemade food. In this case, some rules should be observed:
- Do not salt the finished product.
- Raw meat can only be given after freezing. Thus, possible microorganisms are destroyed.
- If the animal is neutered, then he should not be offered fish.
- Fatty foods and butter are contraindicated for a kitten.
- Before serving, fish must be boiled to prevent the appearance of worms.
- It is strictly forbidden to give sausages, sausages and pork to kittens.
Finally
When a fluffy lump appears in the house, there is a need to purchase food for kittens. Which is better? Reviews of veterinarians indicate that it is better to lean towards premium brands. Only they are as close as possible to natural products and at the same time balanced and enriched with everything necessary.
If there are difficulties in choosing or the proposed diet does not fit the kitten, you should consult a veterinarian. When buying, be sure to study the composition, data on the manufacturer and feeding recommendations. Packaging is important because, unfortunately, fakes of expensive feeds are now found.
Whatever kitten food you choose, do not forget to always have fresh water in an accessible place. If the wet option is selected, then plaque should be purchased at the pet store. When a kitten eats dry food, it requires a little more water than with the first option.