What Is the Difference Between Kitten & Cat Food?

You may think of Junior as a little cat, but he's still a baby with special nutritional requirements for growth. Watch your kitties; Junior is probably go, go, go, while Ginger is probably a bit more sedate. He needs an appropriate diet to give him fuel for growth and energy.

  1. Kitten Food: Fuel for Growth

    • Junior's first year of life is busy on every level. While he's exploring, playing and causing havoc in the house, his body is going through lots of change. By 6 months of age, he's reached the equivalent of 15 human years. His first year is equal to 24 human years. That's a lot of change requiring a great deal of energy. Junior's growth needs nutritional support; kitten food, formulated to meet his needs, will provide him more fuel than traditional adult cat food.

    Special Needs, Special Formula

    • Junior's energy requirements are at least double an adult cat's energy needs. As well, protein should provide about 30 percent of that energy. He also needs more amino acids, minerals and some vitamins than an adult cat. Food formulated for kittens meets those requirements. Fatty acids, fat and most vitamin requirements are the same for kittens and cats.

    Cat vs. Kitten Food

    • When you're shopping for cat food, take a look at the labels. Kitten food has more calories and protein than cat food, and you'll probably notice some differences in the amount of fat and different vitamins and minerals. Cat food packaging should have a nutritional adequacy statement, which lets you know the product provides a complete and balanced meal for Junior's life stage. Some brands manufacture and market foods that can be used for cats and kittens, meaning Ginger and Junior can share the same food. However, proceed with caution. The extra calories and nutrients contained in the baby food can serve to pile some extra ounces on the adult.

    Cat And Kitten Food

    • Just because you can find a food that is cat and kitten friendly doesn't mean you should do it. If Ginger has her own diet requirements, forcing her food on Junior, or Junior's food on her, won't work well in the long run. If Ginger is healthy and doesn't have special food needs, there's no reason she can't share a food that is formulated for both cats and kittens. Just be sure she doesn't overindulge and pick up weight from the higher calorie content. Otherwise, if they're eating separate food, you may want to keep them separate at meal time so they don't raid the other's food dish. Junior should stick to his baby food diet the first year of his life.