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Is it safe for adult cats to eat kitten food or kittens to eat adult food?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 2 years and 4 months old | 10 lbs

My boyfriend thinks that if my 2 year old cat were to eat kitten food for 8 months - a year straight it wouldn’t affect him at all and that it would be healthy for him because kitten food has more calories and nutrients in it. And that if out 4 month old kitten were to eat regular cat food, it wouldn’t bother her at all. Can someone please list the affects that would happen to him. He’s never owned a cat before so he thinks that cats are like dogs and puppies when it comes to feeding.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Megan, DVM, CVA

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on December 15th, 2017

So I agree that adult food should be fed to adult cats and kitten food should be fed to kittens. Kittens need more calcium and phosphorus to help them grow properly. They need more calories because they are usually more active than adult cats. Adults that eat kitten food for a long period will usually gain too much weight. If they become obese this can cause secondary problems like obesity and diabetes. Kittens who eat adult food occasionally will have growth abnormalities or poor weight gain. I hope this helps!
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on April 24th, 2017

    It's okay if Toby gets an occasional bit of adult cat food here and there (such as eating from another cat's bowl, if you have an adult kitty in your home as well), but it shouldn't be his main diet. This is because kittens need more protein and other nutrients for growth at this age, which adult cat food doesn't provide. It's recommended to feed kitten food until 12 months of age, then switch to an adult diet that that time :)

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    5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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