The Best Kitten Dry Food in 2024

Kittens are the most adorable on Earth, but they can also be big pains in the you-know-what. How do you choose the best kitten dry food? This can be a daunting question if you're a new cat parent.

You want to feed your kitten the healthiest food possible. But you also want it to taste good—and that's not always easy when shopping for dry food. The truth is, there are so many options out there that it can feel overwhelming. How do you know what's best?

We've made this comprehensive guide to the best kitten dry food. We've got reviews of all the top picks and helpful tips for finding the right food for your little feline friend.

• Best Overall: Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Dry & Wet Kitten Food

• Best Budget: IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Kitten Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe

• Best Indoor: Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Kitten, Indoor, Chicken Recipe

• Best Grain-Free: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food, Chicken

• Best with Probiotics: Purina Pro Plan With Probiotics, High Protein Dry Kitten Food

1. Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Dry & Wet Kitten Food

Specification

• Brand: Purina ONE

• Flavor: Chicken

• Item Form: Kibble, Crunchy

• Age Range: Kitten

Product's Summary

The Purina ONE Healthy Kitten formula makes it easy to give your kitten a healthy start in life. With real chicken as the main ingredient, she’ll get the nutrition she needs to support her strong, growing muscles. We also added DHA, an omega-3 nutrient in the mother’s milk that helps support her vision and brain development. Added calcium supports her strong teeth and healthy gums. This deliciously crunchy dry kitten food is pure wholesome nutrition for your kitten’s growing body.

Pros

• Recommended for the mother cat to eat while nursing the kittens.

• Easy digestion.

• Egg-free.

• Makes cats’ coats so shiny.

Cons

• May cause behavior changes in older cats.

2. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Kitten Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe

Specification

• Brand: Iams

• Flavor: Chicken

• Item Form: Granule

• Age Range: Kitten

Product's Summary

IAMS ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food is the optimal choice in kitten nutrition to promote strong muscles and bones, healthy teeth, and cleaner teeth. With the World’s Finest Ingredients, like chicken as the first ingredient, this nutrient-rich formula also contains L-Carnitine to help kittens build solid immune defenses and DHA for brain development. It contains natural fiber and prebiotics for digestive health, taurine to promote strong vision development and a healthy heart, and other nutrients like those in mother’s milk.

Pros

• Helps with fur balls.

• Small pieces and tasty.

• Affordable.

• Great for cats that can't chew large kibble.

Cons

• Nightmare bag design.

3. Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Kitten, Indoor, Chicken Recipe

Specification

• Brand: Hill's Science Diet

• Flavor: Chicken

• Item Form: Dry

• Age Range: Kitten, Growth

Product's Summary

Hill's Science is your cat's first choice for balanced nutrition that helps them stay active and healthy. Hill's Science Diet dry kitten food provides balanced nutrition to support your kitten's growth and development. It contains natural fibers to promote healthy digestion and easy litter box clean-up, as well as DHA from fish oil to support healthy eye and brain development. Hill's Science Diet dry kitten food is made with real chicken and balanced minerals to promote bones and teeth.

Pros

• Easy to find and more reasonably priced for the amount.

• Easy to open and seal back up.

• Tasty flavor.

• Good service.

Cons

• Pricey BUT worth it.

4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food, Chicken

Specification

• Brand: Blue Buffalo

• Flavor: Chicken

• Item Form: Pellet

• Age Range: Kitten

Product's Summary

Help your little kitten grow up strong and healthy with Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Dry Kitten Food. Made with a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this premium formula contains DHA and ARA (fatty acids found in mother's milk) to help support retinal health and cognitive development. It also contains LifeSource Bits. It is the blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by veterinarians and nutritionists to support immune system.

Pros

• Finest natural ingredients.

• Also great for elderly cat’s health.

• Tiny pieces.

• Grain-free.

Cons

• Bad packaging.

1. When should I transition my kitten from wet food to dry food?

Transitioning your kitten from wet food to dry food at around 12 months old is best. This is because kittens are less likely to eat enough wet food due to their fast metabolism at this age. If they do not get enough nutrients, they can develop health problems such as stunted growth or kidney disease later in life.

2. Do I have to change my kitten's diet?

Yes and no. If your kitten was already eating another brand of food, adjusting might take a little time, but we're confident that our food will be an excellent fit for your kitten's dietary needs. Remember that if you switch from another brand of food, it's essential to do so gradually over several days or weeks. That way, you can avoid stomach upset or constipation by ensuring no sudden change in their diet.

3. How often should I feed my kitten?

We recommend feeding your kitten at least twice daily—once in the morning and once in the evening—but as long as they get proper nutrition and hydration during those two meals, they should be fine either way!

Now that you've read our reviews and picked out your favorite dry food, it's time to get that kitten fed!

We hope you found this list helpful. If you're still looking for more information on the best kitten dry food, be sure to check out our other articles in this series.

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