Kittens need a premium canned food for the source of all the necessary nutrients needed to promote the development of strong bones and muscles, promote healthy teeth and gums, and to provide a source of protein and energy needed for the intense period of growth which occurs during the all-important first year. These foods were chosen with these qualities in mind. The nutritional value percentages have been converted to "dry matter" basis for uniformity.
1. Felidae Cat and Kitten Formula with Chicken, Turkey, Lamb and Ocean Fish
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Note: See recall disclaimer on parent company web site.
2. Evolve Kitten Turkey Formula
Evolve makes a fine line of mid-priced premium cat foods for both adult cats and kittens, and is a favorite among my test cats. It ranks at the top of kittens' requirements for protein and fat, with 50% and 32% (dry matter value). First listed ingredients are Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Chicken, Ocean Fish, Brown Rice. If your kitten likes it, you can't go wrong with Evolve.Disclaimer:Triumph, the parent company of Evolve, has had some pet food products recalled. No Evolve products have been recalled, as of 5/14/07. (Information from The Pet Food List.)
3. Precise Feline Growth Turkey Formula
I have not personally tested this food, but it ranks high as an "all stages" food based on ingredients and guaranteed analysis. The first listed ingredients are Turkey, Turkey Broth, Poultry Liver, Brewers Rice, Oat Bran, and Dried Egg Product. Precise weighs in at 47% protein and 34% fat (dry matter value).Disclaimer: "Our canned food is made by Menu, but does not contain wheat gluten and was not involved in the recall. It is made on a different system, in a different part of the plant, than where the recalled product was made." (Information from The Pet Food List.)
4. Pro Pac Kitten Ocean Fish Formula
Pro Pac may be found in the larger pet food stores, and is one of the few canned foods you'll find specifically for kittens, as well as one of the least expensive. First named ingredients are Ocean Fish, Ocean Fish Broth, Liver, Beef, Chicken, Rice, Egg, and Brewers Dried Yeast. Protein and fat are 47% and 30%, respectively.Note: ProPac has had no pet foods recalled. Foods manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. (Information from The Pet Food List.)
5. Avoderm Cat and Kitten Canned
Avoderm was one of the first kitten foods we bought for Jaspurr and Joey. Had our local supplier been closer, we may have continued with it, as it is relatively inexpensive. It weighs in at a respectable 45% and 32% for protein and fat. Named ingredients are Chicken, Chicken Broth, Ocean Fish, Turkey, Kidney, Chicken Liver, Oat Bran, Rice Flour, and Avocado Oil.Disclaimer: Canned food manufactured by Menu Foods and American Nutrition. No pet foods recalled. (Information on Breeder's Choice (parent company) from The Pet Food List.)
6. Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Kitten Food
Chicken and Ocean Fish flavor is reviewed here.First named ingredients: Fish Broth, Tuna, Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Salmon, Beef Liver, Cod, Ground Rice, Dried Egg Product. Comes in at 41% crude protein and 20.45% crude fat. Nutro is a favorite cat food overall, in the mid-price range, with a taste attractive to most cats and kittens. It was readily accepted by my two older adult cats, as kittens.