Not all cats are built the same—kittens have different nutritional requirements than adult cats, and the same can be said for cats with differing physical activity levels.
Kittens have specific dietary needs to support their rapid growth and development. Look for a complete and balanced diet with high quality protein from animal ingredients which play a key role in the following:
- Brain Development and Healthy Eyes: EPA, DHA, and Taurine, all found in the guaranteed analysis on the back of the bag will support healthy eye and brain function.
- Muscle and Bone Development: High quality protein from animal ingredients support optimal muscle and bone growth and development.
- Shiny Coat and Healthy Skin: fish and fish oil are great sources of Omega fatty acids which will support a healthy skin and coat growth.
ACANA® First Feast checks all the boxes to support the growth and development of kittens and is the best kitten food to start your kitten off on the right paw.
Adult Cats
Once a kitten reaches maturity at about one year old, maintaining a diet rich in animal protein, EPA, DHA, taurine and Omega fatty acids remains integral to the overall health of the cat. Additionally, if your cat spends the majority or all their time indoors, consider a diet that will help with weight management. ACANA® Indoor Entrée has balanced calories from protein and fat, plus naturally occurring L-carnitine which helps maintain a healthy body weight for those less-active cats who spend their days indoors.
Senior Cats
When your cat reaches age seven and above, you should consider switching them to a senior diet. This is because as cats age, their nutritional needs change. ACANA® Senior Entrée is a recipe rich with animal protein, fatty acids, fiber and a prebiotic blend to help support the unique needs of senior cats. This includes joint health, healthy heart and eyes and digestive health. Senior Entrée is also highly palatable to ensure your senior cat is getting the calories and nutrition they need.
Transitioning Food
For tips on transitioning your cat from kitten food to adult food, visit our blog here. The main takeaway is to start off slow and steady, and gradually increase the new food over the course of about a week. Additionally, adulthood is the perfect time to start introducing different ingredients into your cat’s routine with a rotational diet. Rotational diets are a great way to expose your cat to different proteins, from poultry to red meat to fish, which can help with picky eaters and even decrease the chance of your cat developing a sensitivity or allergy to a specific protein.
Whatever food you decide on for your cat, make sure you’re selecting a complete and balanced diet that’s appropriate for your cat’s life stage to help support a long, healthy and happy life.