Kittens need certain nutrients to grow strong bones and muscles, to feedtheir developing brains, and to build their immune systems. There are a lot offoods on the market. Some foods are obviously made for specific life stages,and they say as much on the packaging, while other foods appear to cover all oflife's stages of development. Keeping in mind that starting off well isimportant for your cat's long term health and life, you will want to choose thefood that is tailored to meet your kitten's needs during this crucial stage, oryou may find yourself having to pay later in veterinary services, medicationsand special diets.

Once you are familiar with your kitten's nutritional requirements, andwhat ingredients you need to look for, choosing the right food will be a snap.

Carbohydrates and Protein

First. it is important to consider that cats are strictly carnivorous.They do not subsist on vegetables or carbohydrates, so animal meat proteinsshould be the main component of a kitten's diet. If your cat does not receivethe correct amount of meat proteins, his body will be deficient and will breakdown its own muscle in an attempt to provide those nutrients. Animal protein isessential for the healthy growth of muscle and tissue, supplying essentialamino acids, the building blocks of tissues.

Some amino acidsare more important that others. For example, an important amino acid forkittens (and cats) is taurine. Taurine is necessary for the normal performanceof the heart, vision, and reproduction. Without it, cats will go blind andsuffer from cardiac problems. This amino acid can only be found in meat sourcesand must be a part of a healthy daily diet.

A lot of catfoods are made with carbohydrates and grains, they are hard to avoid, but theseingredients should make up a very small percentage of the food. Too muchcarbohydrates in a cat's diet can cause intestinal problems and excessiveweight gain at the worst.

Fats: They're Goodfor Your Kitten – Really!

Fats are animportant component in the diet of young cats, helping to absorb importantvitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E and K, and adding flavor to the food toincrease enjoyment. Fats are also an

Far from beingbad for the health, fats and fatty acids are necessary for strong developmentin kittens. Kittens in particular must be fed a source ofarachidonic fatty acids. These acids are essential for blood clotting and skingrowth.

Kittens alsoneed linoleic acid for a healthy inflammatory response.

Vitamins andMinerals

For thedevelopment of bones and teeth, vitamins and minerals such as calcium,phosphorus, and vitamin D are needed. The ratio and amount of these nutrientsis especially important for maximizing skeletal density and stability. Lack ofvitamin and mineral balance in kitten-hood often will result in bone and jointproblems later. For kittens - and cats - there are special needs for vitamins Aand B, along with thiamin and niacin.

What to Avoid

It is best tostick to a formula that is tailored just for kittens. While it is tempting toshare some of your people food with them, avoid foods like canned tuna or otherfish — fresh or canned — which can lead to thiamine deficiency; milk, which cancause diarrhea; raw meat, a common source of salmonella and E.coli;and raw eggs, which can cause a deficiency of biotin and are also a sourceof salmonella.

A Balanced Diet forGrowth

Do your researchand talk to an expert if necessary. Your veterinarian or animal nutritionistcan help you to select a complete and balanced commercial diet that will meetyour growing kitten's needs. Some breeds need a more tailored diet depending ontheir expected growth potential, but in general, all cats require the samebalance of ingredients.

In addition,unless your veterinarian has explicitly advised it, do not give your catseparate vitamin or mineral supplements while she is still in the growing phaseof her development. Over-supplementation can be dangerous, possibly leading toimproper skeletal development and other health issues. A complete and balancedkitten food should provide every nutrient necessary, without the need for addedsupplements.

Good luck, andgood growing!