Should I Feed My Kitten Grain Free Food

Many people who buy grain cat food actually think they are purchasing a carbohydrate free product.

Should i feed my kitten grain free food. In the first year of your kitten s life and once she s past the stage of drinking just her mother s milk or older than 8 weeks old. Common grains found in cat food include wheat corn oats barley and rice. How to shop for grain free cat food. Pet owners have caught onto the fact that they shouldn t be feeding their cats grains and look for grain free food but many companies have responded by using potatoes peas and other vegetables instead.

How much to feed your growing kitten. As a general guideline kittens should be fed 2 4 times a day. Dry kitten food can be left out for very young kittens to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. Should i leave dry food out for my kitten.

Adrienne kruzer rvt lvt. Another reason that many cat owners choose to feed grain free or gluten free cat foods is a mistaken belief that these diets are the best choice for cats that have food allergies. Grain free is a big trend in the pet food industry right now but barring an allergy there s no reason why your kitten s food needs to be 100 grain free. Grain free cat food is just what its name describes a cat food made free of grains.

Grain free kitten food made with high quality ingredients. However you will probably be feeding your cat smaller portions because of the high protein so this may make up for the price difference. Most cats don t require a grain free food and cats with diagnosed grain allergies are unusual. But since plant based protein is cheaper than animal protein pet food companies will pack plants into the food and attempt to supplement the food artificially.

Talk to your veterinarian about whether a grain free food is a good choice for your cat. How often should kittens be fed. While food allergies do occur in pets corn and other grains are not among the most common allergens found in foods. Solid food should not be an issue for kittens of this age but they may still try to nurse on occasion.

Once a kitten has surpassed eight weeks of age they should be fed twice a day with normal kitten food. Dry kitten food is most commonly used alongside a wet food option since it s perfect for free feeding. When kittens reach around 6 months of age they should transition to meal eating to prevent weight gain. Free feeding or ad libitum feeding is the act of making dry food available for your kitten to snack on throughout the day as opposed to strict meal times.

Small amounts of grain can provide a good source of both carbohydrates and protein but by no means should any grain be one of the main ingredients in your chosen kitten food. Just substitute the word carbohydrate for grain in the statement above. High moisture and protein content.