Kitten Foods 

How and when to feed your Kitten.

It's important to feed your kitten the right amount of food at proper intervals, but this can be tricky -- feeding requirements vary greatly from one kitten to another. Feeding guides on the food can or bag are just a starting point. It's critical to your kitten's health that her physical condition is monitored regularly and the feeding amount adjusted as needed.

To help keep your kitten healthy, Hill's recommends following the simple steps in this cycle:

• Weigh your kitten
• Feed her based on feeding guide and veterinary recommendations
• Evaluate your kitten's physical condition using our on line growth tracker chart. Simply enter the date, your pet's weight, and using the slider you can set your kitten's condition score
• Adjust the amount you feed accordingly as your kitten grows

Switching food

If switching your kitten to Hill's Science Plan Kitten, gradually introduce it over a 7-day period. Do this by mixing your kitten's former food with increasing proportions of the new food, until only Science Plan is being fed. She will then be able to fully enjoy the taste and benefits of the superior nutrition provided by Science Plan Kitten.

You and your vet

Your vet is the best source of information about the health and well-being of your kitten. Ask your vet to advise regularly on your kitten's weight because achieving and maintaining a pet's ideal weight not only reduces certain health risks, but can lead to your kitten having a more energetic, longer and healthier life.

Ask your veterinarian which of these three feeding methods is best for your kitten:

Free Choice: Food is available to your kitten at all times.
Time-Limited Feeding: Food is available to your kitten for a limited time.
Meal Feeding: A measured amount of food is available to your kitten at specific meal times each day.
Water Your kitten must have an adequate supply of fresh water at all times. Not having water to drink for a sustained length of time will harm your kitten's health. 
Treats & titbits Although it is tempting to give them table scraps they do not provide your kitten with the correct balance of nutrients. Try to be sparing with treats, as giving too many can lead to weight gain or nutritional imbalance.

The next step When your cat reaches maturity at a year old, her nutritional needs will be different. She'll need to move on to an adult food that will provide her with specific vitamins and minerals in a balance that's correct for her age. Hill's Science Plan can provide exactly that. The lifestage range is tailored to keep your cat in the best health throughout her whole life, whatever her breed or lifestyle.