Feeding a kitten is an important responsibility that requires careful consideration. Here are some tips on what to feed your kitten:

1. Kitten food: Your kitten should be eating a good quality kitten food or a food labeled for all feline life stages. Even as you introduce her to other foods, this should be her primary food as too many changes can cause digestive upsets. Kittens need a diet that is high in protein and fat to support their growth and development.

2. Canned food: It’s important that very young kittens have at least some canned food to eat as part of their diet. Very small kittens have very small teeth and can’t chew dry food well. Without some canned food, they won’t get enough nutrition to grow properly.

3. Feeding frequency: Kittens should be offered food at least 4 times per day. Young cats need more frequent feeding, but as they get older, they can go to twice-a-day feeding. Kitten feeding charts vary according to the foods you buy but typically, you can expect kittens aged up to 6 months to feed 3-4 times per day. Once they reach the 6-month milestone, they can eat two larger meals.

4. Portion control: Check packages for suggested amounts. You want to give your kitten enough, but not too much. Even with their energy needs, overfeeding can become a big problem. We want kittens to come hungry for their meal, but we also don’t want them to be feeling so hungry that they devour the entire meal in a few seconds. Often, young kittens may eat ¼ to ½ cup of food at a time.

5. Treats: It’s OK to feed your kitten treats, as long as you follow the “10% calorie rule,” which means that treats should make up less than 10% of your kitten’s total calorie intake.

6. Water: Please ensure clean fresh drinking water is available at all times but do not provide milk as this can cause gastrointestinal upsets.

7. Foods to avoid: Do not ever feed the following substances as they are toxic to kittens and cats: alcohol, onions, onion powder, garlic, chocolate, coffee or caffeine products, mouldy or spoiled foods or compost, avocado, bread dough, yeast dough, grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants, nuts, fruit stones or ‘pits’, fruit seeds, corncobs, tomatoes, mushrooms, cooked bones, small pieces of raw bone, fatty trimmings/fatty foods, salt and roughly-cut vegetables.

It’s important to note that each kitten is an individual, so it’s best to seek veterinary advice, particularly if your kitten has any special dietary needs or has a reaction to a standard diet.