Last Updated: 05/05/2025
Best Dry Kitten Food 2024 [Vet Reviewed]
Are you after the best dry food for your kitten? Check out our recommendations with our Vet Reviewed products.
Author: Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Reading Time: 54 minutes - long read
When you welcome a kitten into your home you want to make sure you're giving your new friend the best start in life, and one of the most important factors to consider is which food is going to nourish their growing bodies.
It can be overwhelming to pick one as there are so many dry foods available. The best food will depend on your kitten's specific tastes, breed, lifestyle and any underlying health conditions. This guide is designed to help you pick the right food for your kitten in order to help them grow and thrive.
Why is choosing the right dry kitten food important?
There is so much development and growth that occurs during those first few months of your kitten's life and this is why it is vital to ensure they are fed a diet that is going to provide them with all the nutrients and energy required for growth. Kitten foods differ from adult foods in the way that they are more nutrient dense as well as higher in calories - they need plenty of energy intake to keep up with all of the playing I'm sure they will be doing! Kitten foods also differ in their nutrient ratios to meet the needs of the growth period.
I would always recommend feeding a kitten dry food as part (or all) of their diet. Dry food is beneficial for dental health as the mechanical action of crunching the kibble can help to control plaque build up. Kittens also tend to eat little and often due to their small tummies and high energy needs so having kibble left out for them to graze on is safer than leaving wet food out (particularly in hot weather when it can spoil).
Three reasons why it's important to choose the right dry kitten food are:
- Complete and balanced: In choosing a food, the most important consideration is that the diet is complete and balanced for the kitten growth stage of life. Ensuring that it meets AAFCO or FEDIAF pet food control guidelines is crucial to ensure that your kitten receives all the nutrients they require in the correct ratios. Kittens also require energy-dense food which meets their intense growth rates.
- Quality: The quality of the ingredients and the digestibility of the nutrients they provide should be a key factor in choosing a food. Premium kitten foods are designed to be highly digestible (which means smaller, firmer stools) and do not change ingredients batch to batch like grocery type brands, which means less tummy upsets. They also tend to contain higher levels of added beneficial nutrients, such as omega fatty acids for joint and skin health, and some are backed by testing to ensure they deliver the results they promise. Learning how to read pet food labels and knowing the ingredients in your kitten's food is a crucial part of knowing what is the best food for them.
- Health conditions: Your treating veterinarian should be your first port of call when it comes to dietary advice is your kitten has any underlying diagnosed health conditions. In some cases, there may be a prescription diet which is the best option to help manage your kitten's condition. For health support, there are a range of non-prescription, therapeutic options to help prevent certain conditions, or support your kitten's specific needs.
Results:
- Best for Weaning: Royal Canin Mother & Baby
- Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Meals for Meows Dry Kitten Food Single Protein Goat
- Best Natural Food: Vetalogica Biologically Appropriate Dry Kitten Food
- Best Premium Food: Hills Science Diet Dry Kitten Food
- Best For Allergy Sufferers: Pro plan Live Clear Dry Kitten Food
- Best Breed Specific Kitten Foods: Royal Canin
How We Review Our Products
Our Pet Circle Vet Squad comprises 30 vets with over 120 years of collective, independent veterinary expertise. Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Top Dry Kitten Foods in Australia
Best for Weaning: Royal Canin Mother & Baby
Pros
- Very small kibble size for little mouths
- Can be rehydrated with milk to help with the transition to solids
Cons
- Can only be fed up til 4 months of age
Royal Canin mother and baby cat is an excellent choice for the tiniest kittens! This food is designed to be fed to both mum and her kittens when they are being weaned. You can soften the food with warm water kitten formula to encourage the transition from milk to solids.
Royal Canin kitten varieties are highly palatable, with a complex of antioxidants and prebiotics to support optimal immune and digestive function, as well as omega fatty acids to support brain development in growing kittens.
What our customers say: "I love that the kibble pieces in Babycat are so small for his little teeth, he seems to find them easier to consume. I'm happy with my purchase, my kitten loves the Babycat kibble and his poops have been healthy since transitioning to it as well."
What our vets say: "Royal Canin is a great starter dry food for kittens. The small, softer kibble makes chewing easier for little mouths and it can be rehydrated with milk to help with the transition to solids. Formulated with highly digestible proteins and probiotics to support sensitive little tummies, and Omega 3's and antioxidants for healthy brain and immune development. This is the top diet pick for my foster kittens" - Dr. Belinda
Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison Dry Cat Food
Pros
- Single novel protein suitable for a diet trial for kittens with possible food sensitivities
- Made from a high percentage (>92%) meat and organs
- Supplemented with green lipped mussel for joint support, skin and coat health
- Suitable for cats of all life stages
- Calorie-dense, so smaller portions of food need to be consumed compared to other brands
- Made using sustainably sourced ingredients
- Balanced alternative to raw feeding, while still retaining the benefits of the raw ingredients
Cons
- Very calorie dense, so may contribute more to weight gain if overfed
- Air-dried foods may not be as safe from bacterial and parasitic contamination as foods cooked with heat
- Expensive
All Ziwi recipes are high in meat, organs and bones with beneficial inclusions like green-lipped mussel. With complete and balanced recipes, they are also grain free and all ingredients are sourced sustainably. Ziwi recipes are highly palatable, making them a great choice for fussy eaters.
The Ziwi Peak Venison Cat recipe contains a single novel protein source, which may be ideal for kittens with sensitive stomachs due to food intolerances or allergies. Ziwi Peak dry foods have a firm jerky texture, so are an excellent choice as treats, for training or as a topper to provide variety to other foods. Ziwi Peak dry foods should be stored in their original packaging after opening, and away from direct sunlight and high temperatures.
What our customers say: "My cats LOVE this product and I love how natural it is. Also I look for local products -NZ or Aus made. Tick! Expensive, yes, but I mix a small amountwith their other dry food (Ivory Coat) to stretch it out. High nutrient density = less needed to have healthy kitties."
Best Natural Food: Vetalogica Biologically Appropriate Dry Kitten Food
Pros
- Australian made with 100% Australian meat and ingredients
- High in protein, consisting of 65% meat and fish ingredients
- Grain and gluten free
- Contains no artificial colours flavours or preservatives
- Free from potato, tapioca and pea fibre (considered of little nutritional value)
Cons
- Contains multiple protein sources so not suitable for an allergy trial
- Only available in one size
Vetalogica is a high quality Australian made kitten food which contains 65% meat and other animal based ingredients. It contains no added hormone chicken and duck sourced from Australia and has a high protein content (38%). This diet is designed to mimic that of your kitten's wild cat ancestors.
The Vetalogica Kitten food is grain free, and free from carbohydrate sources considered to be of little nutritional value. The poultry ingredients are sourced from producers who do not use hormones in the production of their birds.
Available in 3kg zip lock bags, you can feel good about feeding your kitten premium food while supporting local producers.
What our customers say: "Very high quality ingredients and they must taste great too. I have to ration out the portion sizes otherwise my kitten will gobble these all up!"
Best Premium Food: Hills Science Diet Dry Kitten Food
Pros
- Available in multiple sized bags
- Premium diet backed by research
- High quality, easily digestible ingredients
- DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development
- No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
Cons
- Priced slightly higher
- Not made in Australia
Hills is a premium brand and this kitten food is backed by plenty of evidence-based clinical research. This formula has been developed to contain all the essential nutrient requirements of a growing kitten as well as natural DHA from fish oil to support healthy eye and brain development and a clinically proven antioxidant blend including vitamins C & E to support a healthy immune system.
Food quality is not only dependent on ingredients, but is also assessed by the the brand's manufacturing process, research practices, and overall reputation. A manufacturer should not only have high quality ingredients to start with, but they should also ensure recipes are based on scientific research, gold standard hygiene, as well as a consistent balance of nutrients including fat, energy, vitamins and minerals appropriate for growing kittens. The more regular tests a manufacturer completes to assure the quality of its food, the better.
Hill's leads the way in scientific research in pet foods. Over the past century, Hills has completed dozens of studies in the U.S.A. to help establish nutritional guidelines, and retail as well as therapeutic diets to help manage a multitude of health conditions. Hill's foods are recommended by more vets worldwide than any other brand, and supported heavily by industry-leading science.
What our customers say: "My kitten has thrived on this brand of dry food - healthy weight & shiny, plush coat. No upset stomach and healthy poops too. I've tried all sorts of dry food over the years, for my own and for foster kittens and this one, in my experience, is the best so far"
What our vets say: "I like to recommend Hills Science Diet Kitten Dry food as it is a reputable premium diet for all kittens. It contains high quality natural ingredients which are easy for your kitten to digest as well as having no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. It also has the addition of fish oil, providing natural DHA to support healthy eye and brain development. You can rest assured knowing that your kitten it is getting the nutrition they require for optimal growth and development" - Dr. Sam
Best For Allergy Sufferers: Pro plan Live Clear Dry Kitten Food
Pros
- May reduce the shedding of dander so a great choice for cat allergy sufferers
- Contains a specific protein to bind the common allergen in cats saliva responsible for human allergies
- Decreases allergens by 47% by the 3rd week of daily feeding
- Available in multiple sizes
- Premium brand backed by research
- Made in Australia
Cons
- Priced slightly higher
Pro plan Live Clear is a complete and balanced diet for kittens from weaning through to 1 year. It has been specially formulated to reduce the allergens that trigger reactions in humans from cat hair and dander. 10-20% of adults world wide are estimated to have cat allergies, and cat dander plays an important role in the release of the allergens into the environment.
Cat dander is very different to cat dandruff. Dander is the microscopic particles from skin and hair that are normally shed by a health animal. The predominant protein involved in cat allergies which accumulates on the fur and skin, and is released in dander, is called Fel D1. Fel D1 is produced by glands in the skin and the salivary glands also. Pro Plan Live Clear Kitten Dry food uses a specific protein sourced from eggs to bind the Fel D1 in order to reduce it's allergenic ability... meaning goodbye allergies, hello kitty!
Pro plan is a premium brand which invests into research for the best health for your kitten.
What our customers say: "This product does help with my allergic reaction to my kitten. It really does make a difference. Plus my kitten loves it so that's another reason to buy it."
What our vets say: "Allergies don't have to interrupt the bond between you and your cat! This innovative formula by Pro Plan helps to support humans with cat allergies by neutralising the problem, Fel-d1 allergen, effectively reducing symptoms like itching and sneezing." - Dr. Michelle
Best Breed Specific Food: Royal Canin Kitten Varieties
Royal Canin Main Coon Kitten
Pros
- Takes into account the larger jaw size of maine coons
- Premium diet
- Altered mineral ratio to suit the longer growth period of larger breed cats
Cons
- Kibble size may be too large for other breeds so really only recommended for large breed cats
- Not made in Australia
If you're looking for a kitten food that takes into account the larger size of your kitten then this is the one for you!
Royal Canin is a premium brand so this food is backed by research and this one has been designed with the Maine Coon in mind. Packed with essential vitamins and nutrients this diet supports the healthy, controlled growth of a large breed cat like a Maine Coon.
What our customers say: "I ordered this kibble as my kitten is about to outgrow the Royal Canin Mother and Baby Cat food and with my kitten being a Maine Coon, I wanted to start her nutrition off right. At the time of writing this review, Pet Circle is the only company to offer this food which I am extremely grateful for. At first, my kitten, who will be 4 months old next week, was a little reluctant to eat as the kibble size is a little larger than she is used to, but after putting some wet food with it, she was more than happy to eat a 40g serving. She now loves it and for some reason, particularly likes the "crunch" the kibble makes when she eats!"
Royal Canin Persian Kitten
Pros
- Specially shaped kibble to suit the shortened jaw and eating style of Persian kittens
- Premium brand
- Comes in multiple sized bags
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny, luxuriant coat
Cons
- Kibble size may not be preferred by other breeds
- Not made in Australia
This premium kitten food is another breed specific formula designed to nourish your Persian kitten during their first year of life. The kibble has a unique shape suitable for the short jaw shape of Persians as well as added omega 3s and 6s to keep your kitten's coat looking extra healthy and shiny.
What to look for in a dry kitten food
Choosing the best dry kitten food that you can afford, and ensuring that it meets the criteria below, means that you'll be supporting your kitten to thrive on a daily basis!
Complete and balanced
Kitten foods must be formulated to meet the nutritional demands of a growing kitten. Make sure any food you choose meets the AAFCO requirements - these are the minimum levels of nutrients a food must meet for each lifestage.
High-quality ingredients
Check the ingredients list on your kittens food - the top ingredient should be a high quality protein source. For more details on what exactly the ingredients listed on the pack are, check out our guide to pet food ingredients.
Kitten - Specific needs
Every kitten is different and therefore there is not a one-size fits all diet. Is there a diet that's more suited to your kitten's breed? Does your kitten love the taste of fish and hate the taste of chicken? Do they have a sensitive stomach? Don't be afraid to look around for the right food for your individual kitten.
Further Reading
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
