Did you ever wake up to look at your kitten and think they’ve actually gotten bigger overnight? They really do grow up quickly!
Knowing when your cat has outgrown kitten food isn’t always easy. Veterinary nutritionists recommend that kittens transition to adult cat food either at 1 year of age or when they’ve reached maturity, whichever occurs later. But how will you know when that is?
Maturity can be gauged by several physical factors, including body weight and height. Most cats are considered mature when they’ve attained 80% to 90% of their predicted adult size. This typically occurs between 9 to 12 months of age for cats but may take up to 18 months for large-breed cats, such as Maine Coons.
Because there can be several other factors beyond breed that affect growth, your veterinarian can help you more closely gauge when your cat has reached their full maturity.
There really is a difference between kitten and adult cat food. Kitten food may be too rich for adult cats, causing excessive weight gain.
When choosing an adult cat food, it’s very important to read the label, and not just for the ingredients. Take a minute to educate yourself about pet food labels at the Association for American Feed Control Official’s website.
The basic statements to look for are:
- Stage of life the food is intended for (adult food is best)
- Complete and balanced
- Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures have been done (preferably) or
- The food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO
Diets and treats that are raw or freeze-dried raw are not recommended for several reasons, including the high risk of dangerous bacterial contamination that can impact both your cat and your family.
What makes the best cat food is a controversial and ever-changing topic. In general, established national brands have the most research and the strictest quality control behind them. Check out the guidelines for choosing pet food from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
When it comes time to transition your kitten to adult food, change to the new food gradually over a period of 7 to 14 days to avoid digestive troubles. For example, on day one, feed 90% kitten food and 10% adult cat food. On day two, give 80% kitten food and 20% adult cat food, and so on.
Watch your kitten closely during this time. If you notice loose stools, vomiting or decreased appetite, slow down the transition process. If things don’t normalize in 24 hours, call your veterinarian for help.
At shopmyvca.com, you can choose from a variety of adult cat foods for your growing kitten and have it delivered to your home. Plus, if you subscribe to automatic deliveries, you won’t have to worry about running out! Contact your VCA care team to get more help creating a personalized food transition plan for your growing cat, including recommendations for which food is a good fit.