Kittens, the most delicate and tender of all cat ages, require special care and specific nutrition. Not all cat foods are suitable for kittens, as they are to young to consume any available cat food on the market. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay special attention when selecting food for kittens.
The best food for kittens is their mother’s milk. Mother’s milk is nutritious and well-balanced for the kittens. There is nothing wrong when it is a fact of giving a mother’s cat milk to the kittens. However, as kittens grow week by week, they need to add solid food to their daily diet alongside their mother’s milk or other milk replacers.
But when it is a fact of raising abandoned cats, there might be some changes, and people who have less experience regarding kitten food and did not have a cat previously might get confused about what are some good foods for kittens. New cat parents always find it difficult to find out the best kitten food available in the market.
Homemade milk replacer
Though the mother cat’s milk is best for the kittens’ health, sometimes it is difficult to find it when the mother cat is deceased or the kittens are abandoned. Therefore, homemade milk replacers can be a great way to maintain a well-balanced diet for your kitten. Here, we are sharing one of our simplest kitten milk replacer recipes.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of Plain yogurt
- 1 Chicken egg yolk
- Water(to bring the right consistency)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, take ½ cup of plain yogurt, the yogurt should not be low-fat milk yogurt.
- Add an egg yolk to the yogurt
- Mix them properly
- Add water to liquidate the mixture
- Pour them into the feeding bottle when it comes to the right consistency.
Attention
- Don’t use evaporated milk in this recipe, nor the condensed milk. Because this milk contains sugar, which can be deadly for your kittens, resulting in diarrhea or vomiting.
- This homemade milk replacer can be given to kittens under 4 weeks old.
A mix of brown rice and chicken
Lean meat is good for cats’ health as well as for kittens health. Chicken is one of the best lean meats that can be a good source of protein—also an easily digestible source for kittens. Chicken is essential for your kitten’s muscle growth and health development. Additionally, kittens can gain weight and are the best food for underweight kittens. However, adding a small amount of brown rice will provide the food with the right texture and be delicious for your kitten.
Ingredients
- ¼ cups of white or brown overcooked rice
- 1 chicken breast (Boneless)
Instructions
- Boil the chicken with water until it’s fully cooked. Do not add additional spice to the chicken but you can add one pinch of salt.
- Shred the chicken meat.
- Don’t throw away the chicken broth that is made from the cooked chicken.
- Take ¼ cup of overcooked rice in a blender jar.
- Add shredded chicken to the blender
- Pour the right amount of chicken broth into the blender.
- Mix them until they are well blended.
- Pour the mixture into the kitten food bowl and let the kittens enjoy their meal.
Attention
You can also put the cooked ingredients into the food processor or simply blend them with an electric hand blender. Use the chicken broth to add more nutrients to your kitten’s food. It will also keep your kittens hydrated. If your kitten is not drinking water, this is the best way to provide them with water. Kittens above 3 weeks can eat this homemade kitten food along with their mother’s milk or milk formula.
Turkey and vegetables
Turkey is the best dietary option for your kitten’s health as it contains taurine. Taurine is essential for your kitten’s eye, brain, and heart development. Your kitten will find the best source of energy with this meal. additionally, adding vegetables will fill up the gap of some other nutrients like vitamins A, K, etc.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of boiled turkey
- 2 tablespoons of boiled mashed sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons of boiled mashed carrots
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Instructions
- Shred the turkey into tiny pieces and take them into a bowl.
- Mix the shredded turkey, and mashed vegetables into a bowl.
- Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the mixture to make the food moisturized and flavorful.
- Pour the mixture into your kitten plate and let them enjoy.
Attention
Don’t add raw mashed vegetables to your kitten food. You can also mix them in a blender or food processor and a nice smooth paste will help the kitten to eat the food easily.
Egg mix recipe
Eggs are also a good source of protein. Mixing the egg with yogurt along with a little bit of vegetables can be a great blend for your kitten food.
Ingredients
- 1 whole boiled egg.
- 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of cooked and mashed pumpkins.
Instructions
- Peel the hard-boiled egg and mash it with a fork.
- Add yogurt to the mashed egg and mix them well.
- Then add the mashed boiled pumpkin into the mixture.
Attention
Do not use nonfat or additional flavored yogurt. Always go for plain yogurt. However, the use of raw eggs is not recommended.
Fish recipe
Fish contains omega-3, fatty acids, which are vital for your kitten’s immune function and healthy skin. So through this recipe, your kittens will get nutrient-rich, balanced food.
Ingredients
- ¼ cups of boneless cooked tuna or salmon
- 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt.
- 2 tablespoons of cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 1 teaspoon of fish oil.
Instructions
- Mash the cooked fish into small, easily digestible pieces.
- Add the cooked sweet potatoes and mash them with the fish mixture.
- Add yogurt for additional probiotics.
- And lastly, add the fish oil to make the food more healthy.
Attention
Always try to provide seasoning-free baked or steamed fish, and avoid giving raw fish to your cat.
Homemade kitten food recipes ensure your kittens enjoy a healthy and joyful life.
These homemade kitten food recipes are highly recommended for ensuring your kittens enjoy a healthy and joyful life. These recipes can be modified by adding or subtracting several other food ingredients. But certain foods should be avoided, like cow’s milk, sugar, raw eggs, etc. Keep in mind that balanced food is crucial for your kittens to support their immune systems as well as ensure proper development of their body. However, the provided cat food recipe requires less time and less effort. Cat parents can try this at home. But we also encourage you to consult the vet before adding any new recipe to your kitten.
Additionally, not every kitten requires the same amount of vitamins or nutrients. Always try to provide food according to your kitten’s needs. For more blogs like this, stay tuned to our websites.
