Kittens are tiny carnivores, so the best kitten food is a complete and balanced recipe made for growth, packed with quality animal protein and the nutrients that fuel healthy brains, eyes, muscles and bones. Whether you're bringing home your first bundle of fluff or adding to the family, the big question usually comes fast: wet, dry or both? Here's how to choose, plus a closer look at the ACANA™ and ORIJEN™ kitten foods available in NZ. For more settling-in advice, visit Kitten Corner.
Five things to check before you buy kitten food
Kitten food labels can look confusing, but a few quick checks tell you most of what you need to know. Run through these before you buy, whatever the brand. For a deeper dive, see our guides on how to choose the right food for your cat and how to read cat food labels.
- Is it made for kittens? Look for a growth statement on the pack, such as FEDIAF or AAFCO. Adult cat food isn't formulated for growing kittens.
- What's at the top of the list? A specific animal protein like chicken, herring or salmon near the start shows what the recipe is built on, far more than a vague "meat" would.
- Are the brain and eye nutrients there? Taurine, EPA and DHA support healthy brain and eye development, while omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat. Here's why cats need taurine.
- Wet, dry or both? Each has its strengths, and many kittens do well on a mix (more on that below).
- Is it short and simple? Skip artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, and look for an ingredient list you can actually read.
Myth-buster: a bowl of water is all a kitten needs to stay hydrated. Cats evolved getting much of their moisture from prey, so they often don't drink as much as you'd expect. A hydrating wet food, such as a recipe in bone broth, can help top up their water intake.
Wet or dry kitten food: which is best?
Both work well, and many kittens do best on a mix of the two. Dry kitten food is nutrient-dense and easy to store, while wet kitten food is soft, hydrating and often easier for young kittens to eat. Here's how they compare:
|
|
Dry kitten food |
Wet kitten food |
|---|---|---|
|
Moisture |
Around 10% |
Up to 83% to 85% |
|
Texture |
Crunchy kibble, can be lightly moistened |
Soft chunks in broth |
|
Convenience |
Easy to measure, store and serve |
Serve at room temperature and refrigerate leftovers |
|
Handy for |
Everyday nutrient-dense feeding |
Hydration and variety |
Feeding both gives your kitten the benefits of each, plus a bit of variety at mealtime. Just make sure whatever you choose is complete and balanced for kittens, and that fresh, clean water is always available. Read more about the benefits of mixing wet and dry cat food and why moisture matters in your cat's diet.
ACANA™ kitten food: First Feast and Chicken & Salmon Recipe
ACANA™ kitten recipes are crafted with quality animal ingredients to support growth, brain development and strong muscles. Our two kitten picks give you a dry and a wet option, so you can feed one or mix the two.
ACANA™ First Feast (dry kitten food)
A nutrient-dense dry food for growing kittens, made with 70% quality animal ingredients, including fresh or raw free-run chicken and whole herring.
- 37% protein to support muscle and bone growth
- Taurine, EPA and DHA to support healthy brain and eye development
- Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Formulated to meet FEDIAF nutritional levels for growth of kittens
ACANA™ Chicken & Salmon Recipe in Broth (wet kitten food)
Tender chunks in a hydrating bone broth, made with 85% animal ingredients (exclusive of water). The first seven ingredients are animal ingredients, including chicken and salmon.
- Naturally occurring EPA and DHA to support brain development
- Hydrating bone broth that kittens love
- No grain ingredients, carrageenan, pea, lentil or legume ingredients
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth
See ACANA™ Chicken & Salmon Recipe in Broth
ORIJEN™ kitten food: Kitten and Chicken & Tuna Entrée
ORIJEN™ kitten diets are built on WholePrey animal ingredients, which means meat, organs and bone in natural ratios, plus whole fish and cage-free eggs. They're our most protein-rich kitten options, again in dry and wet.
ORIJEN™ Kitten (dry kitten food)
Packed with 90% quality animal ingredients and 40% protein, for kittens who need serious fuel for growing. It starts with fresh chicken, and two thirds of the meat is fresh or raw.
- Naturally occurring DHA and EPA from salmon, mackerel, herring and pollock oil to support brain development
- Freeze-dried chicken and turkey liver for a taste kittens love
- No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat, potato or tapioca
- Formulated to meet FEDIAF nutritional levels for growth of kittens
ORIJEN™ Chicken & Tuna Entrée in Bone Broth (wet kitten food)
A premium wet food made with 95% animal ingredients (exclusive of water). The first nine ingredients are animal ingredients, including chicken and tuna, served in bone broth.
- Naturally occurring EPA and DHA to support brain development
- No grain ingredients, potato, carrageenan, pea or lentils
- Complete and balanced, so it can be fed on its own or alongside dry kitten food
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth
See ORIJEN™ Chicken & Tuna Entrée in Bone Broth
How much and how often to feed a kitten
The best place to start is the feeding guide on the pack, then monitor your kitten's weight and adjust portions as they grow. Kittens have small tummies and big appetites, so split the daily amount into small meals rather than one or two big ones.
- Dry food: the ORIJEN™ Kitten pack recommends splitting the daily ration into smaller portions and feeding two to three times a day. Use a standard 250ml measuring cup, or kitchen scales for the most accurate portion.
- Wet food: the packs for ACANA™ Chicken & Salmon and ORIJEN™ Chicken & Tuna suggest up to 2½ x 85g cans per 1 to 2kg of body weight per day. For ORIJEN™'s 155g can, it's 1⅓ cans. Serve at room temperature and refrigerate any leftovers.
- Mixing wet and dry: if you feed both, reduce each portion so your kitten's total daily food stays about the same. Our guide to mixing wet and dry cat food explains how.
- Water: always have fresh, clean water available.
Very young kittens often need smaller, more frequent meals while they settle in, so ask your vet what suits your kitten.
How to switch your kitten's food
Change foods gradually so your kitten's tummy has time to adjust:
- Step 1: 25% new food, 75% old food
- Step 2: 50% new food, 50% old food
- Step 3: 75% new food, 25% old food
- Step 4: 100% new food
When to move to adult cat food
Most kittens stay on a kitten diet until around 12 months old. When it's time, move to an adult recipe gradually. For example, ORIJEN™ suggests moving from ORIJEN™ Kitten to ORIJEN™ Original Cat or Six Fish Cat after 52 weeks.
Your kitten food questions, answered
What is the best food for kittens?
A food that is complete and balanced for growth and built on quality animal protein, the nutrition kittens are made to thrive on. ACANA™ First Feast, ACANA™ Chicken & Salmon Recipe, ORIJEN™ Kitten and ORIJEN™ Chicken & Tuna Entrée are all made for growing kittens.
What should I feed a new kitten?
Feed a food made specifically for kittens, in small portions through the day, with fresh water always available. Many owners feed a mix of dry and wet kitten food. For more, read how and what to feed a new kitten.
What is the best wet food for kittens?
Look for a wet food that is complete and balanced for growth, rich in animal ingredients and high in moisture. ACANA™ Chicken & Salmon Recipe in Broth has 85% animal ingredients and ORIJEN™ Chicken & Tuna Entrée in Bone Broth has 95%, both exclusive of water.
Is wet or dry food better for kittens?
Neither is better on its own. Dry food is nutrient-dense and easy to serve, while wet food is hydrating and easy to eat, so many kittens do well on both. Learn more about why moisture matters for cats.
When can kittens start eating dry food?
Kittens can usually begin eating softened dry food from around 4 to 5 weeks of age as they move on from their mother's milk. Follow your breeder or vet's guidance.
Why do kittens need taurine, EPA and DHA?
Taurine is an essential nutrient cats can't make enough of on their own, and EPA and DHA support healthy brain and eye development. Read why cats need taurine in their diet.
Can kittens eat adult cat food?
Kittens need a food made for growth, because they need more protein, fat and key nutrients than adult cats do. Stay on a kitten recipe until around 12 months.
How often should I feed my kitten?
Split the daily amount into small meals. The ORIJEN™ Kitten pack suggests two to three times a day, and very young kittens often need smaller, more frequent meals. Your vet can advise what suits your kitten.
Where can I buy ACANA™ and ORIJEN™ kitten food in NZ?
Over 100 stores across New Zealand stock ACANA™ and ORIJEN™. Pop your location into our stockist finder to see the closest.
Nourish your little carnivore
Those kitten months are over before you know it. Choose a recipe made for growth, decide whether wet, dry or a mix suits your household, and give your kitten the quality animal protein they're built for, whether that's ACANA™ First Feast, ACANA™ Chicken & Salmon Recipe, ORIJEN™ Kitten or ORIJEN™ Chicken & Tuna Entrée.
Next steps: browse the kitten food range, settle in with advice from Kitten Corner, or find a stockist near you. For more on choosing and feeding, see our guides on how to choose the right food for your cat and portion control for pets.
