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Understanding Kitten Food Nutrition Labels

Confused by the ingredient list on your kitten’s food? You’re not alone. Marketing pet foods that have “human-grade ingredients” is becoming commonplace. While appealing to many pet owners, it is important to be aware that the term “human grade” has no legal definition and is used primarily for marketing purposes.

Foods, typically meats, are labeled either as “edible” or “inedible, not for human consumption.” Once a food leaves the human food chain, even if it is of outstanding quality, it has to be labeled “inedible, not for human consumption.”
Therefore, meats used in pet food must be labeled as “inedible,” regardless of the source or quality of the meat. The only way to make a pet food with ingredients deemed “edible” is to never let the meat leave the human food chain and actually manufacture the pet food in a human food facility and transport it using human food trucks.
Therefore, advertising a product as containing “human-grade ingredients” is untrue if it is not manufactured in a human food facility.
However, just because a pet food isn’t marketed as being “human grade” does not mean that the ingredients are poor quality.

Here are some tips to help understand ingredient labels:

The ingredient list is not the only method you should use to select a pet food, because it doesn’t provide pet owners with enough information about the quality of the ingredients or the nutritional adequacy of the overall diet.
Instead of concentrating on ingredients, pet owners and veterinarians should look at the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement and the quality control protocols of the manufacturer. For more information, see the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s brochure “Selecting the Best Food for your Pet,” available at Opens a new window www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit.
The ingredient list may be arranged to make foods as appealing as possible to consumers by the order of the ingredients (e.g., having lamb first on the ingredient list) or inclusion of seemingly desirable ingredients in the diet, but often in such small amounts that they have little or no nutritional benefits (e.g., artichokes and raspberries listed after the vitamin and mineral supplements).
Having more ingredients does not make a diet more nutritious.

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4 Kitten Feeding Tips for Raising a Healthy Kitten: A Guide to Feeding and Nutrition

As a new pet parent, one of the most important things you need to understand is how to properly feed your kitten. It is crucial to ensure that your furry friend receives proper nutrition as per the changing needs. In this article, we will provide valuable kitten feeding tips to help new pet parents determine the right amount of food for their kitten, how that amount should change every month, and why it's necessary to continuously evaluate the kitten's feeding needs as they grow. Whether you are a first-time pet parent or simply need a refresher on kitten nutrition, this guide will provide the necessary information to ensure your kitten is well nourished and healthy.

A comprehensive feeding chart for your kitten's nutritional needs

As you start to feed your kitten, it's essential to understand how much food they need at each stage of their growth. To help you with this, we have created a feeding chart showing the recommended daily food intake based on a kitty’s age. Here's a quick look at the chart:

Age	Ration
0 to 4 weeks	Breast feeding
1 to 6 months	Feeding with specialized feed for kittens 4-5 times a day
6 to 12 months	A gradual decrease in the frequency of feeding
12 months and further	Full transfer to the feeding plan for an adult cat: wet food in the morning and evening; dry food and water always available in a bowl

As you can see from the chart, the recommended daily feeding for kittens can vary greatly depending on their weight and age. Remember that this is a general guide, and your kitten's needs may differ.

4 kitten feeding tips: How often should you feed your new fur baby?

When it comes to feeding kittens, it's essential to understand that their nutritional needs change as they grow. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when it comes to feeding your kitten:

Kittens should be fed three to four small meals daily rather than one or two large meals. This helps maintain their blood sugar levels and prevents them from getting too hungry between meals.
Kittens should be fed a diet high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates. Wet food is the best option as it contains more protein and moisture than dry food.
Kittens under six months of age should be fed a diet specifically formulated for growth and development. After six months, you can start transitioning them to an adult diet.
Be mindful of the ingredients you are feeding your kitten as some can cause allergic reactions or stomach upset. For example, avoiding foods containing artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products is ideal for cats.

When it comes to a feeding schedule, here are 4 kitten feeding tips to keep in mind:

Start with a consistent schedule. For example, feed your kitten at the same time every morning and evening.
Gradually adjust the feeding schedule as your kitten grows. For example, if you start feeding them three small meals per day when they are kittens, you can provide them two meals per day when they are adult cats.
Be flexible with your feeding schedule. Some kittens may need more food than others, and some kittens may be hungrier at certain times of the day.
Keep an eye on your kitten's weight and adjust their feeding schedule as and when required. If your kitten looks thin or skinny, they likely need to be fed more. On the other hand, if your kitten looks overweight or chubby, they likely need to be fed less.

Properly feeding your kitten is crucial for their overall health and development. Our basic kitten feeding tips include understanding their nutritional needs and providing a balanced diet tailored to their growth stage. Keep in mind that kittens have different dietary requirements than adult cats, so it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice and to ensure your kitten's nutritional needs are met.