The 11 Best Kitten Foods of 2026

To meet the nutritional needs of a growing cat, Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Food is formulated with DHA from fish oil for brain development and taurine for heart health. The brand is highly recommended by veterinarians, and among the cat parents participating in our survey, Hill’s Science Diet received the highest rating for ingredient quality satisfaction.

The food is manufactured in the United States with a blend of prebiotics for healthy digestion, vitamin E to promote skin and fur health, and calcium to support strong bones. For kibble, the Chicken Recipe is the primary formulation, but there is also a seafood-flavored option—Ocean Fish & Brown Rice—though it still contains chicken meal and chicken fat. If your kitten has food sensitivities, a variation of the Chicken Recipe is available without corn, wheat, or soy. There is also a version for indoor kittens, which often have a different level of energy and caloric needs.

The canned wet food for kittens from Hill’s Science Diet offers a boost in hydration, which is beneficial for most cats. The cans are equipped with a pull tab for easy opening and come in two sizes, 2.9 or 5.5 ounces. Flavors include Savory Salmon Entree, Savory Turkey Entree, Tender Chicken Dinner, Roasted Chicken & Rice, and Liver & Chicken Entree, which all have water as the first ingredient followed by animal-sourced protein.

_{Type: Dry, wet | Flavors: Chicken recipe; ocean fish & brown rice; chicken recipe free of corn, wheat; savory salmon entree; savory turkey entree; tender chicken dinner; roasted chicken & rice; liver & chicken entree}

Purina One +Plus Healthy Kitten Cat Food is affordably priced, readily available, and a favorite among the current and former kittens who participated in our panel. The recipes for kittens include one dry food recipe and one wet food recipe. Both offer balanced nutrition for growing kittens and are made with real chicken as the first ingredient, but the wet food also includes salmon as a source of protein and natural nutrients.

The dry food is packaged in three sizes: 3.5-, 7-, or 16-pound bags, but even the largest bag of kibble runs out quickly if you are feeding more than one kitten at a time. The wet food will give your kitten greater ability to consume moisture, and the feeding guidelines recommend one 3-ounce can per 3.75 pounds of weight.

The Healthy Kitten foods are manufactured in the United States within Purina’s facilities, where the nutritional integrity of the food is consistently tested for accuracy and safety. A drawback to consider for this food is that the kibble is made with soybean and cornmeal, and the wet food contains more pork than salmon.

_{Type: Dry, wet | Flavors: Chicken; chicken & salmon}

Orijen’s Kitten Formula is a high-protein and high-fat dry food with an impressive list of ingredients, including a variety of high-quality animal proteins. Kittens are obligate carnivores that thrive and survive best on protein-forward foods. This food has six different types of fresh or raw animal and fish proteins, including free-run poultry, wild-caught fish, and whole prey ingredients.

Whole prey ingredients include bone, organ, and muscle from protein sources and are most similar to what predatory felines eat in the wild. Whole prey proteins provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients that might be added supplementally in non-whole prey food products.

This kitten kibble is also specially sized for smaller kitten mouths and features a freeze-dried raw chicken liver coating to entice even the pickiest of eaters. It can also be served with a little bit of water to soften it and add moisture if desired.

Orijen has an in-house nutrition and veterinary team that helps make sure its foods meet the dietary needs of your kitten. The foods also meet standards for nutritional adequacy set by the American Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)—an organization that sets minimum nutritional requirements you should expect of dog or cat food.

Orijen Kitten Formula is recommended for kittens at least 5 weeks old and can be stored outside of the refrigerator. It’s worth noting that although there are no grains in this kitten food, it does contain legumes such as chickpeas and whole peas, which are high in protein but also high in carbs, pushing this food into a higher carb content (around 18%) than we’d ideally want to see.

_{Type: Dry | Flavors: Chicken, turkey, salmon, herring, and chicken liver recipe}

If you want to feed your kitten wet food, Blue Buffalo offers two Baby Blue Healthy Growth Formula recipes made with real salmon oil as a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA for strong cognitive development.

The protein-rich kitten foods start with chicken or salmon as the primary ingredient, along with fruits, vegetables such as potatoes and carrots, and flaxseed. Like all of Blue Buffalo’s pet foods, Baby Blue Healthy Growth Formula is made without grains, soy, corn, by-product meals, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives. The wet food for kittens is made in the United States, packaged in 3-ounce cans with an easy-to-open pull tab, and often sold in cases of 24.

_{Type: Wet | Flavors: Chicken, chicken & salmon}

Open Farm uses humanely raised chicken and turkey to infuse its kitten food recipe with protein and natural nutrients. The kibble also includes non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and legumes, including dried chicory root, pumpkin, lentils, and cranberries, to support healthy digestion and development.

Open Farm partners with and is certified by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) to promote and enforce humane and sustainable practices among farmers and fisheries. The certification for Open Farm’s grain-free kitten food means the food is made with animal products that have not been raised with antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones.

The food is also free of artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, corn, wheat, and soy. If you discover that your kitten has food sensitivities or allergies, Open Farm’s clear labeling makes it easier to avoid the culprit of your cat’s discomfort.

_{Type: Dry | Flavor: Chicken & turkey}

Formulated to provide the nutritional intake kittens need, Purina’s Fancy Feast Paté Wet Kitten Food is a protein-rich canned food and is made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The grain-free food is a favorite among our survey participants, and the smooth-textured recipes are made in the United States with real whitefish, turkey, chicken, or salmon as the lead source of protein.

The recommended serving is 3 ounces per 3 pounds, so your kitten will likely consume more than one can per day before you know it. The food is lower in calories than other kitten foods, but that will likely leave room in their daily diet for the occasional treat. There are four recipes within the paté line, and your kitten can explore all four in the conveniently packaged variety pack from Fancy Feast.

_{Type: Wet | Flavors: Chicken, salmon, ocean whitefish, turkey}

Weruva’s new Kittens in the Kitchen Lambur-Kitty is our favorite option for chicken-less kitten food. Chicken dominates the flavors and ingredients of most kitten foods, but it’s also the top protein source of cat and kitten allergies and sensitivities.

Although Lambur-Kitty has tuna in its ingredients (another possible allergy source), the main ingredients are lamb broth and grass-fed lamb. Lamb is a go-to alternative protein source for cats with chicken allergies, and this kitten food is a huge find for anyone whose kitten is a fussy eater, doesn’t like chicken, or can’t have chicken.

We also love the high moisture content and that this kitten food is free of preservatives and artificial flavors. This kitten food line also has a Kitten Gone Wild flavor made from wild-caught salmon and fish broth (again, contains tuna), giving owners an extra chicken-free option. It’s also possible to alternate the Lambur-Kitty flavor with the Kitten Gone Wild to give your cat some variety.

_{Type: Wet | Flavors: Lamb, salmon}

With a blend of antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics to aid digestion, Fromm’s Kitten Gold Food for Cats is a great choice to help any kitten experience straightforward litter box sessions. The recipes for the dry kibble and the canned wet food are made with chicken and duck, providing essential amino acids, protein, and nutrients cats need. The recipes and the flavor are enhanced with salmon oil for DHA and omega-3 fatty acids to promote a healthy coat.

The Kitten Gold Food is part of Fromm’s Gold line of foods for felines, and all are free of artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. Fromm has been making pet food for over 20 years in its two owned and operated facilities in the United States, but its foods and treats are primarily sold at specialty shops and online retailers.

_{Type: Dry, wet | Flavor: Chicken & duck}

Kitten formula is most often used as a milk replacement for newborn and pre-weaned kittens, though Dr. Paola Cuevas, senior in-house vet at Pangolia, notes it’s not necessary unless your kitten’s mother is not lactating or a still-nursing kitten has been separated from their mother. PetAg KMR Kitten Milk Replacer is certified by the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council).

It’s also a top choice among animal rescuers for kittens and other baby mammals. If you’re looking for a mother’s milk replacement, you can use this for kittens and cats up to 6 weeks old, and as a supplement or mix-in for older cats, pregnant and nursing cats, or weaning kittens.

Both the powder and liquid forms are ready to use, but we recommend the powder since it lasts longer once opened and travels well. (Opened liquid formula needs to be refrigerated, and any unused portion should be tossed after 72 hours.) Kitties with sensitive stomachs may do better with the goat’s milk version.

PetAg KMR Kitten Milk is formulated to closely match the makeup of carbs, fat, and protein in mother’s milk, and includes additional prebiotics and probiotics as well as the fortification of essential vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, it also contains carrageenan, a seaweed derivative used as an emulsifier, which may cause stomach upset and may be a potential carcinogen.

_{Type: Powder, liquid | Flavors: Unflavored}

When your kitten is underweight or failing to thrive on regular kitten food, your vet may recommend bumping up their fat and calorie intake. We like these Tiki Cat Baby Thrive supplement sticks because they are easy to administer, come in single-serving squeeze packets, and require no refrigeration.

They’re a cinch to toss in your bag, car, or carrier, and pack a savory flavor punch that entices even fussy kittens. The non-GMO ingredients include proteins such as chicken, sunflower seed oil, dried egg, chicken liver, and chicken broth. (This product does contain xanthan gum, an ingredient some believe can cause gut irritability or food sensitivities.)

Tiki Cat Baby Thrive sticks can be served alone or mixed in with regular food, but they should not replace your kitten’s food entirely. Their smooth mousse texture is easily lickable, making them a good option for kitties suffering from mouth ulcers, limited or no teeth, and kittens not yet eating dry food. Each 25-calorie serving has a crude content percentage of 28% fat, 8% protein, and 62% moisture.

_{Type: Supplement | Flavors: Chicken and chicken liver}

Offering your kitten a variety of flavors will get your little furball used to experimenting in the future. The Purina Pro Plan Variety Pack for kittens offers highly digestible paté or flaked foods formulated with high protein content to support your little one’s healthy growth and development in the first year.

Kittens should be fed one can per 1.5 to 2 pounds of the cat’s weight. So a 1.5-pound kitten should have one can (3 ounces) per day, but split into multiple meals. A 4-pound kitten should receive about two to two and a half cans (6 to 7.5 ounces) per day, also split up into three meals.

Purina, a classic brand, has made sure this kitten food offers outstanding nutritional support. The high-protein content supports muscle growth, while there are plenty of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods also have DHA, which is critical for brain and vision development in growing kittens.

Note that your kitten may decide to stick to one favorite flavor, and the others may go to waste. If that’s the case, this pick can become a little pricey.

_{Type: Wet | Flavors: Ocean whitefish and tuna, chicken and liver, and salmon and ocean fish}