Best* Cat Food of 2023

Growing kittens have specific nutritional needs. After kittens wean off their mothers at about 8 weeks old, they are ready for dry and wet cat food. But adult formulas are not a good fit. The best kitten food is specially formulated for cats younger than one year old. Kitten food should be comprised of at least 35% protein, ideally closer to 50%. About 10% of that protein should be from an animal source.

Fatty acids are a great source of energy for playful kittens, so kitten food with Omega-3 and Omega-6 are good options. Kittens should also have a diet with adequate calcium. For most young cats, this means about 1-1.5% calcium in their dry food.

A senior cat is any feline over the age of 7. Between the ages of 7 and 10, many cats will gain some weight and require a lower calorie count. Your vet may recommend that you reduce their calories by about 20-30%. Once they get older than 10, your cat may require you to increase their calorie count again for them to sustain a healthy weight.

Cats over the age of 10 may also have a harder time digesting fats and proteins. Senior cat formulas account for these digestion changes. You may also find that softer food is more palatable to an older cat who is missing some teeth.

The primary difference between the needs of indoor cats and outdoor cats is caloric intake. While your indoor cat wakes up each morning to a full bowl of food, an outdoor cat must go on the hunt. Combine the lack of hunting with other lifestyle differences, and indoor cats tend to burn fewer calories throughout the day. You may find that the best wet cat food and dry food for your indoor cat is full of real animal protein but conscious of calories.