Almost everyone has a picky eater or 2 in their life, someone who makes planning every meal just a little more difficult than it has to be. If you don’t want your kitten to follow a similar path as they grow, it’s important that both wet and dry foods are regular parts of their diet while they’re young.
There are so many great kitten food options available in both wet and dry forms, and Pet Lovers should take advantage of this to provide as much variety as possible when they’re young and still developing. It will make a crucial difference as they age into adulthood.
Why Should Kittens Eat Both Wet and Dry Food?
As a kitten, exposure is the name of the game. If kittens only eat one type of food while young and growing, there’s a greater chance that will be the only kind of food they eat as an adult. If a kitten’s stomach experiences a diversity of food as it’s developing, it will be more likely to tolerate any type of food you give them later in life. That’s why the aim is for them to have access to as many different types of foods, textures, flavors and proteins as possible, so they don’t grow up unable to eat a particular food because it makes them sick.
Cats are very focused on the texture of their food, and if not exposed to different textures, like those provided by wet and dry food, they may refuse to eat it. Feeding both is crucial for the cat’s health, since both wet and dry foods provide different and necessary benefits. For example:
- Wet food gives cats additional hydration and diet variety.
- Dry food provides the crunch factor that helps keep the underlying bone structure of the mouth healthy, extending to the gums and teeth.
When Should You Feed Your Kitten?
While kittens are still growing, they need to always have food available to them. This is when feeding both wet and dry food becomes particularly useful.
In the wild, cats eat small meals all day long, so their metabolism is acclimatized to frequent feeding. Pet Lovers can leave dry food out all the time and replenish it as necessary, while also providing wet food to your kitten several times a day. This way, the kitten can nibble on the dry food whenever they want and get more of a meal when the wet food is served. Once the kitten reaches adulthood, you can continue with this meal approach. Be sure to follow the feeding guides outlined on packaging to ensure you’re not over-feeding your kitten.
What Should You Feed Your Kitten?
Kittens need support while they’re growing, and a balanced macronutrient content plays a critical role in this process. You want food that will assist in the development of their muscles and brain function, as well as supporting their digestive health. That’s why we recommend ORIJEN™ diets, which are high in fresh animal ingredients.
For dry food, try ORIJEN Kitten diet. Packed with 90% animal ingredients1, including succulent WholePrey organs to support muscle development, this recipe also helps support your kitten’s digestive health through fiber, plus a blend of pre-and probiotics, and brain development, thanks to naturally occurring DHA and EPA from salmon, whole herring and pollock oil.
When it comes to wet food, try the ORIJEN Chicken & Salmon Entrée for Kittens. This protein-rich pâté will give them even more of the nourishing animal ingredients they need, with the first 9 ingredients in this diet being raw chicken, salmon, chicken liver, whole sardine, chicken bone broth, fish bone broth, chicken heart, egg and tuna oil. It also includes 80% moisture for necessary hydration.
By feeding your kitten both wet and dry food, you’re taking the first important steps to ensure their life is happy and healthy.
1Approximate and derived from the unprocessed state of the ingredients.