As with all infants, kitten nutritional needs are different from adults, higher levels of protein are required alongside extra vitamins and minerals to help develop healthy bones and muscles. Good kitten nutrition is essential for growth and setting them up for a healthy future, so selecting a food formulated for Kittens will ensure their needs are met.
Initially keep things small, both in the size of food you feed and in the portions given at one time -perhaps 3 meals a day: morning, afternoon and evening, in a quiet safe place with access to fresh water. Small meals help your kitten as they are still growing and have small mouths and tiny tummies, which if fed too much at once can bloat or can lead to greedy gorging later in life!
As your kitten grows you will come to understand more about them and their habits including how they prefer to eat and how active they are, whether indoors or outdoors.
Cats tend to naturally self-regulate and will only eat when they need, so you may find that over time you can leave more of their daily feed out for them to come and go as they please, but should they eat it all in one go they might love their food just a little too much and will need your help to control their urges!
Equally the lifestyle of your kitten will impact the amount of energy they use and in turn how much feed they require, and feed should be carefully adjusted to prevent unwanted weight gain.
If you are unsure as to the ideal weight of your kitten or have any concerns your veterinary practice will be able to guide and advise.
