Cat Food & Kitten Food??

Valentine Michaud: depending on the age of the cat and the exersise.i have a very active 1 year old, and a kitten so i lean towrds kitten food.if i put both out they both go to the kitten food, i bet its fattier and taste better.kitten food should be given to cats under a year or pregos becuase of the extra neution...Show more

Solomon Belback: Not so much.I do think if you're feeding grocery store food then you're probably better off going with the kitten variety. It almost has enough protein for any aged cat!But if you're feeding a better brand of food, then it really doesn't matter.From my blog:Do kittens need to eat "kitten" food? No, kittens do not need to eat "kitten" food. This is because most of the kitten foods on the market differ from adult food in very few, unimportant ways: The kibble bits are smaller (that's nice), they have a little more protein (but probably not meat-based protein), and they're higher in calories (that's nice, but.....)Kittens do not! need anything that adults don't, and vice versa. Kittens will not be harmed by eating adult foods, but they may not be getting their caloric requirements unless they're fed enough of it.The best thing to feed a kitten, if you're willing to learn about it, is a raw meat diet. If you want to learn more, search for raw feeding at Yahoo Groups. There are several very good groups out there.Or you can select a good commercial canned food and call it a day. The What to feed link offers many suggestions. Even though they don't market themselves as "kitten" foods, they are appropriate so long as you feed according to the guidelines.http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm.Energy Requirements for Kittens and Adult Cats Age kcal/lb body wt Kittens: 10 weeks 113 20 weeks 59 30 weeks 45 40 weeks 36 Adult Cats: Inactive 18 Active 20-30 Pregnant 45 Lactating* 56--145 This site has another table showing the minimum protein allowances for cats v. kittens. I! t boils down to kittens needing 4% more protein than adults. T! here were other items in there, but it didn't vary widely at all.One word of warning - if you're feeding an adult cat dry food from the grocery store, then I would probably stick with the kitten food for the kitten. Because the adult's food is inferior, I think it would be better for the kitten to get the questionable benefits from the kitten food. But of course a better idea would be to feed both of them a better food....Show more

Whitley Leopold: Yes it does matter. I have one cat who is 5 years old in human years and a kitten who just turned 1 years old. I have consulted my vetenerian concerning the food I should be feeding them. And for a kitten you should always feed them kitten food. They need the nutrients that are only found in kitten food. And don't always go for the most inexpensive one. We did that mistake with our fust cat and he now get really sick on us and is borderline diabetic. And has to be feed Prescription diet C/D food. So if I was you, I'd feed t! he kitten food for kittens and the one food that's very reputable is Natures Variety. Oh and it is also said that dry food is better than wet food for your cats. =o) Good luck!...Show more

Ulysses Failey: I think it does. Kittens require more nutrients than an adult cat does, since they're still growing.Unless it's a food formulated for all life stages, then I would definitely feed kittens a food that is formulated for their age.

Joie Kemmis: Temperature: Spoilage is caused by either fungus or bacteria. Both don't like cold or hot. So keeping food at the two extremes should keep from spoiling. Fungus and bacteria don't grow well or at all in colder temperatures. Conversely high heat will kill them so they won't spoil your food.