Adult cat food for kitten

robert707

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Messages
52
Purraise
2
Location
California
I adopted a 3 month old kitten from local animal shelter and wondering if feeding him adult cat food is OK.. I currently feed my 6 ¹/² year old diamond natural indoor dry formula which he has been eating for years and he has a great coat and is healthy. The shelter gave me the food that he has been eating I understand how to gradually transitions from one brand of food to another but unsure if feeding kitten adult formula is OK... My cats are indoor only..
 

LTS3

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
19,209
Purraise
19,695
Location
USA
All adult foods are formulated for all life stages anyways. Kitten specific food just has extra nutrients and possibly more calories. Ideally you should feed the kitten kitten food but if you want to feed just the adult food, you may need to feed more or supplement the kitten with extra vitamins and minerals . Pet stores sell supplements in various forms. Nutrical is popular and there is a kitten specific formula.

Do you feed any canned food? Dry food isn't good for cats. Some canned food in the diet would be ideal if you can't do a complete canned food only diet. There is info about diet here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/choosing-the-right-food-for-your-cat

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/choosing-the-right-food-for-your-cat-part-2

http://www.catinfo.org
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

robert707

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Messages
52
Purraise
2
Location
California
Actually my vet said dry is far better than wet..
 

NewYork1303

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
Messages
3,025
Purraise
2,015
Location
Washington State
When I asked my vet about the wet vs. dry debate, he said that wet is bad for the teeth, but dry is hard on kidneys and such IF (its a big if) the cat doesn't get enough water some other way.  I think it just shows that even vets can fall on either side of the debate. I started out feeding my kitten adult cat food .She now eats adult and kitten dry food mixed since my cats share food for grazing all day.
 

LTS3

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
19,209
Purraise
19,695
Location
USA
Actually my vet said dry is far better than wet..
Sadly your vet is wrong. Most vets are because they don't take many nutrition classes in vet school. And just because your vet says dry food is good doesn't meant that you have to listen to that advice. Do your own reading on proper nutrition and make your own informed decision on what to feed, regardless of what the vet says. Some vets may disapprove of what you feed (especially when it comes to raw diets) but it's your cat and you make the decisions on how best to care for it in your home.

If you take a a look at Catinfo.org, a web site written by a vet who has a passion for proper feline nutrition, you'll find a whole list of health issues that are caused by dry food. Urinary problems, diabetes, obesity, etc. Neither dry nor canned food keeps teeth healthy or rots them. Poor dental hygiene causes dental problems (much like in Humans) so regular dental care is a must, preferably tooth brushing but there are dental rinses and swabs and such that could be used.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

robert707

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Messages
52
Purraise
2
Location
California
What I have read wet is no better than dry visa versa but it is better on my pocket book! I don't buy in to the wet provides water to your cat my 6 1/2 drinks water regularly been eating dry since day one his teeth look great... Back to the original question.. Diamond natural makes a kitten formual that has a higher calories,protein,fat then adult indoor formula butb my local feed store doesn't carry it but is ordering it for me. Vet adviced me to keep kitten on kitten formula for 6 months...
 

2cats4me

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 5, 2014
Messages
2,046
Purraise
211
What I have read wet is no better than dry visa versa but it is better on my pocket book! I don't buy in to the wet provides water to your cat my 6 1/2 drinks water regularly been eating dry since day one his teeth look great... Back to the original question.. Diamond natural makes a kitten formual that has a higher calories,protein,fat then adult indoor formula butb my local feed store doesn't carry it but is ordering it for me. Vet adviced me to keep kitten on kitten formula for 6 months...
Whether you feed wet , dry or both is your preference  ..  If you want to feed your kitten the Diamond  Kitten formula I think that is fine . My dogs eat Diamond Professional +  and do very well on it .. 
 
Last edited:
Top