When to Switch from Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food

Unless they’re a large breed cat, your kitty should be ready to move to adult cat food once they’re about a year old. While kitten food is formulated to support rapid growth and development, adult cat food is about maintenance, with a different balance of nutrients.

In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between kitten and adult cat food, as well as signs that your kitty is ready to make the switch. We’ll also tell you the best way to transition foods to avoid giving your cat a crummy tummy.

Kittens require different food than adult cats because of all the growth and development that’s happening their first year of life.

Their brain, bones, and muscles are growing rapidly, and it takes a lot of nutrients to support that fast growth! Adult cat food doesn’t contain the levels of fat, protein, and DHA (to name a few) that kittens need.

Regularly feeding your kitten adult cat food may lead to developmental delays or weak bones. 

If you’re thinking about when to start feeding your kitten adult cat food, look at the key nutritional differences between the two types of food, as well as recommendations from AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officers).

Nutritional Composition

Kitten food is more nutrient-dense than adult cat food, with a higher fat content to support a young cat’s growth and boundless energy. It also has more protein than adult formulas (30% vs 26%), as well as DHA, which supports a kitten’s brain, eye, and nervous system development. 

Caloric Density 

In addition to having more nutrients, kitten food has a greater caloric density, which is fuel for their rapid growth. This is also important because kittens have tiny stomachs, therefore little space for big bowls of food. They need to meet their daily caloric needs in smaller meals.

AAFCO Life Stage Standards 

The AAFCO has set life stage standards for food, so it’s important to look at a food’s packaging to ensure that it’s right for your kitty. If it says “Growth and Reproduction,” it’s good for kittens and pregnant and nursing cats. 

“Adult Maintenance” formulas are designed for cats who have finished growing. Food made for “All Life Stages” is a thumbs up for any kitty, as it meets the growth and safety standards for kittens, adults, and senior cats. 

General Timeline by Breed Size

So what’s the right time to allow your kitten to eat adult cat food? Twelve months is the rule of thumb, as this is when your kitty’s growth slows down and their weight stabilizes. However, if your cat is a smaller or larger breed, the timing may be slightly different. 

A smaller breed cat could mature a bit earlier (nine to 10 months), while a larger breed cat, such as a Norwegian Forest Cat or Maine Coon, may mature later (18 to 24 months). You’ll want to wait until your cat has reached maturity before switching their food. 

Physical Maturity Indicators

Besides age, there are other indicators that your kitty’s ready to make the transition from kitten to adult cat food. If they haven’t had significant weight gain for the past six to eight weeks, they have all their adult teeth, and their paws are in proportion, they may be ready.

Also, look at their behavior. If they’ve caught onto a daily routine and are not running around the house in bursts of energy, it’s another sign that they can kick kitten food for big-cat food.

Veterinary Confirmation

If you’re not sure and don’t want to take a risk, talk to your veterinarian. Based on your kitty’s growth plates and body condition, they’ll be able to tell if it’s time.

Once you know your cat is ready to move from kitten to adult cat food, you don’t just make the switch all at once. Instead, transition from one to the other over a period of 7 to 10 days. This gives your cat’s gut bacteria time to adjust to the new food. 

Without a gradual transition, your kitty may start vomiting, get diarrhea, or have gas. Transitioning slowly is also good for picky eaters, allowing them to slowly get used to the new flavors and textures. 

7 to 14 Day Transition Schedule 

Here’s what your food transition might look like: 

• Days 1 to 2: 75% kitten food, 25% adult food 
• Days 3 to 4: 50% kitten food, 50% adult food 
• Days 5 to 6: 25% kitten food, 75% adult food 
• Days 7 to 14: 100% adult food 

After that, keep feeding your kitty adult food as long as the transition goes smoothly.

Monitoring During Transition 

While your cat’s transitioning to their new food, keep a keen eye on them. Watch how they do at mealtime, and whether their appetite and weight are still what they used to be. Also, watch what’s in the litter box. Firm, formed stools mean it’s going well.

If your kitty is having persistent tummy troubles or refuses to eat the new food, contact your veterinarian to better understand why and what to do to help.

Your little ball of fluff will grow up fast, so it’s good to be aware of the differences in food formulas and how important kitten food is for the little ones. 

The SHEBA® Brand makes kitten-friendly formulas that will put your furry baby on the path of good nutrition. SHEBA® Kitten Soft Pate is 100% complete and balanced for kittens and enriched with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients for growth.

With the convenience of individually portioned servings that help keep meals fresh and a variety of recipe choices to suit the tastes of different kitties, SHEBA® Kitten Food sets your kitten up for a healthy and happy life!