Just as no single regimen is ideal for every cat, there is no universally accepted answer to the question of what is the best wet food for kittens.
The first year of your kittens’ lives is critical to their development. Their diet during the first several months is vital to their long-term health. Numerous brands of wet kitten food are on the market, and it can be difficult to determine which one has the best nutrition label.
This post will compare many popular brands to help you choose the best wet foods for your kittens.
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12 Best Kitten Wet Food Choices
Remember that you’ll need to check serving sizes with all the different cat food options. Your kitten should be on a regular and controlled diet to stay healthy and happy. And exercise and play are just as important – keep their fun cat toys nearby for post-dinner entertainment.
Now let’s take a look at a list of top-quality, wet kitten foods available online.
1. Purina ProPlan Grain-Free Cat Food
Like most wet foods, the Purina ProPlan Grain-Free Cat Food contains little to no grain. This recipe is also chicken-free.
This is fantastic news for pet parents who must restrict their kitten’s diet to exclude chicken broth due to food allergies.
This wet food contains seafood, which provides flavor and important omega-3 fatty acids that aid visual and cognitive development. This high-protein food is made entirely of natural ingredients with no added flavors or preservatives.
It provides a natural diet for your kitten.
Purina guarantees that your growing kitty will receive the proper nutrients because veterinarians developed it.
2. Royal Canin Mother And Babycat
When weaning a kitten, start with soft, easily chewable foods. With Royal Canin Mother And Babycat products, kittens can easily transition to solid food.
Kittens of all sizes seem to enjoy this pet food veteran Royal Canin. Kittens may be sloppy eaters when trying new foods because they have only breast milk.
Consequently, weaning kittens onto wet cat food should be done in a spacious, easily maintained area on a large, broad plate or smooth surface.
3. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Kitten Wet Food
Several kittens have developed increased food sensitivities for various reasons. However, some nutrients may aid in the resolution of these issues. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Kitten Wet Food contains fiber, prebiotics, beta-glucans, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that may benefit kittens with sensitive stomachs.
This soft mousse was created by pet nutritionists and is ideal for kittens because it is easy for them to chew.
Due to the high-calorie content of this formula, a single item will last your cat longer than if they were eating lower-calorie food.
4. Fancy Feast Gourmet Naturals
If you want to feed your kitten wet food rather than dry kibble, you may be looking for a low-cost option that is still nutritious. This fancy feast gourmet naturals cat food has turkey liver, fish, chicken, and broth.
This grain-free kitten canned food is an excellent choice. There are no synthetic additives, colors, or artificial flavors in this paté, and it costs around $1 per serving.
Fancy Feast may be less expensive than Purina’s other products. However, you can be sure that it was still developed by veterinarians and follows American feed control officials’ guidelines for kitten nutrition.
The silkiness of the paté makes it appealing to both young and adult cats.
5. Baby Blue Healthy Growth Formula
This Baby Blue healthy growth formula is more expensive per can than other wet kitten diets on the market. But if your fur baby enjoys it and you can afford it, we believe it’s a great option.
The primary ingredient is protein-rich chicken, and no meat by-products are used in its preparation. Like other wet cat foods, it is grain-free and contains omega fatty acids and ARA, two fatty acids in cat’s milk that promote brain and eye development.
Despite the positive feedback from cat owners who claim their picky eaters adore it, it is unsuitable for all cats and should be introduced to your kitten gradually.
6. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Wet Food
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition wet food is specifically designed to support your little fur balls’ still-developing immune system and growing muscles and bones. The canned food is formulated for kittens up to 12 months. Inside are small slices that are easy for your little one(s) to chew.
The wet food stores a balanced diet of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in a delicious recipe that will leave your kitten licking her paws. It’s a claw-ver way to get your kitty-loving solid foods. And it’s a perfect supplement to combine with Royal Canin Dry Kibble for ultimate nutrition.
7. Purina Fancy Feast Kitten Canned Wet Food
Purina Fancy Feast kitten tender turkey features a smooth texture, just right for your kitty’s tiny teeth and offers a scrumptious gourmet flavor. The wet canned kitten food provides 100% balanced nutrition to help you care for your little meow machine. It also features essential vitamins and minerals to help your feline grow into a healthy and strong adult.
This product is made from real milk to help her transition from nursing to eating, ideal for weaning your kitten. Your little furball will experience her first little bites of real food in an easy-to-digest paste.
If your kitty isn’t a fan of turkey, there is an array of other gourmet flavors like salmon and chicken. Alternatively, shop the variety pack for a collection of four flavors to see which one your kitty will fall in love with.
8. Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine
A premium choice for all kittens is Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine. This product provides your young kitty with a high-quality protein diet to build strong muscles. It includes antioxidants and vitamins (Vitamins C and E) to support your kitten’s immune system. And at the same time, a well-balanced set of minerals promote kidney and heart health.
With 71 calories in a 2.8 oz can, your kitty will find this delectable cuisine, made with natural ingredients, absolutely scrumptious.
This Hill’s product presents a delicious flavor of roasted chicken and rice medley in a mouthwatering sauce perfect for your little kitty. What’s even better is that it’s free of artificial flavors and preservatives.
9. Wellness CORE Pate Wet Kitten Food
Another top pick for kittens is this delicious protein-rich wet food from Wellness CORE. The natural, grain-free turkey and chicken liver pate for kitties offers an animal protein-focused diet. This will supply your feline with the energy she needs to grow.
The meal is made with carefully-selected ingredients, including added DHA to help support healthy eye and brain development. These products are developed with premium components and exclude animal by-products, artificial colorants, flavors, and preservatives.
The recipe promotes healthy hydration in felines and is an easy way to keep your kitty’s urinary tract healthy through moisture intake.
10. Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula
Purina’s ONE range of food offers wholesome alternatives for kittens as a well-researched, dependable brand. This kitten food costs about a dollar per container and is widely available. It is the best wet kitten food, in our opinion.
The healthy kitten chicken formula adheres to the AAFCO recommendations for kittens, so you can be confident that you are providing them with the nutrition they require.
Additionally, it is designed for small kittens, has a meat foundation (chicken liver and pork lungs), contains no grains, and is easily chewed.
Pet owners who fed this canned wet food to their kittens reported that their feline babies licked their bowls clean.
11. Lily’s Kitchen Smooth Pate for Kittens
Lily’s Kitchen’s kitten foods are made with all-natural ingredients and contain no added sugars or fillers. They are developed with vets, nutritionists, and of course, kitties.
This smooth pate for kittens is made with 65% freshly prepared, proper meat and fish: 30% chicken, 10% trout, 21% pork and 4% beef. It is nutritionally complete and made without grain. It also contains taurine, which is essential for your kitten’s health. All that and a soft, smooth pate-like texture will make for a happy kitten.
12. Felix Original Kitten Mixed Selection in Jelly
Whilst not quite as fancy as Lily’s Kitchen, both of my Siberian cats love this Felix Original Kitten Mixed Selection in jelly. Flavors in this selection are chicken, cod, plaice and lamb. My boys like to eat all of the jelly first!
The individual pouches are the perfect size for a meal and contain all the proteins and minerals your kitten needs. This includes vitamins D and E, a blend of minerals and omega 6 fatty acids.
Wet or Dry Cat Food?
It might seem like there is a large variety of foods for our tiny kittens and finding the right diet for your kitty is crucial in their development.
As pet owners, one of the earliest decisions you’ll make is whether or not you’re going to feed your kitten dry kibble, wet food, or a combination of the two.
A balanced diet for your kitty is all about a mix of nutrients and flavors, whether wet or dry. It’s important that very young kittens have at least some canned food as part of their diet. They have tiny teeth and cannot chew dry food very well yet.
Wet cat food comes in cans or pre-measured portions that may contain around 70% more water compared to dry food. This also makes it easier for your kitten to digest its food.
In contrast, dry cat food comes in conveniently-sized bags and contains approximately 10% water and 90% dry matter, including carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins.
The Advantages Of Wet Cat Foods
Aside from its high protein content, wet cat food has additional benefits for kitten health.
While bladder and renal disorders are common in kittens, the higher moisture content of wet food may aid in maintaining these organs. If your older cats have dental problems or tooth loss, you should try feeding them wet food.
Furthermore, dry cat food tastes less appealing than wet kibble. Consequently, wet foods will help your kittens eat when they are ill or picky about their food.
7 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Feeding a Kitten
1. How often should I feed my kitten?
Whilst adult cats tend to eat twice daily, kittens should be fed three to four times a day. Like a human baby, their stomachs are smaller, so they will fill up and empty fast.
2. What food should I NOT feed my kitten?
Avoid raw eggs and raw fish. They may contain salmonella and decrease your kitten’s absorption of Vitamin B. Avoid giving your kitten milk, as this may cause diarrhea. Once a cat has been weaned, it loses the enzyme that allows it to digest milk. Foods that are toxic for cats and should be avoided at all costs include grapes, onion, garlic, chocolate, tea, and raisins.
3. Should I give my kitten wet food every day?
By the age of seven weeks, a kitten should be able to eat wet food for all of their meals.
4. Should I add water to the wet food I give my kitten?
It is safe to add water to the wet food you give your kitten. It can actually be good for your cat as it will help them with their water intake. And many cats like their meals to have more of a “soup” like texture. However, be careful what kind of water you add to a meal, as cats often don’t like the taste of water when it is heavily chlorinated.
5. How long can I leave wet cat food out?
Cats are natural grazers, so they are most likely not to eat all of a meal in one sitting. However, unlike dry kitten food, wet kitten food can become a breeding ground for bacteria after sitting out at room temperature for more than a couple of hours. Also, the food will dry up and most likely become less appealing to your kitten (although this doesn’t seem to bother my cats!).
6. Do Kittens Require Special Food?
Kitten food must meet its nutritional requirements. Kittens lack the enzymes necessary for milk digestion. Feeding procedures require softer or moist cat food for kittens under eight weeks.
7. Is it Preferable to Feed Kittens Wet Foods?
Yes. Wet foods are best for weaning kittens. It tastes better, is easier to eat, and contains more liquid than dry kibble.
A Footnote on Wet Kitten Food
Every kitty caregiver wants their sweet kitten to be happy, healthy, and well-fed. And one of the primary debates amongst feline lovers is regarding the choice of foods for their fur babies.
Wet, soft foods are considered a key part of a kitten’s nutrition. And felines tend to prefer it over dry food. The texture and ingredients provide a pleasant eating experience and contain high moisture content.
Our little kitties need plenty of vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins to ensure they grow strong, healthy bones, muscles, and teeth. So, choosing one of the best foods for your kitten listed above will ensure your fur baby receives the right nutrients to grow into a healthy adult.
Please Note: This best kitten wet food post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this.
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.