How do you manage the kitten to adult transition?

During their early months, your kitten will grow and change very quickly – but how do you know when they’ve become an adult, and what can you do to help support their growth?

What do kittens need from a diet?

 As kittens are growing rapidly and their digestive and immune systems are developing slowly, they have very specific nutritional needs that are different from adult cats. Kittens need a diet with a higher energy and protein content, and the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

You should ensure you are feeding a complete and balanced kitten diet until your kitten reaches adulthood.

When does a kitten become an adult?

 Most cats are considered adult when they are around 12 months of age. However, larger breeds like Maine Coon’s will have a longer growth period and may not be fully grown until they are around 15 months old.

If you are unsure when your kitten will become an adult, please speak to your vet who will be able to advise you.

Why do you need to switch to an adult diet?

 Adult cats don’t have the same nutritional requirements as kittens. An adult cat’s nutritional needs depend on factors including their size, breed, activity levels and whether they’ve been neutered.

Kitten food is also energy dense and if you continue to feed this to your adult cat, they may consume too many calories, and become overweight.

Feeding a complete and balanced diet, tailored to meet the nutritional needs of your adult cat helps to maintain their ideal weight and shape.

Which diet should I feed?

At Royal Canin we understand that every cat is unique and so is the nutrition they need. All our diets are complete and balanced; with each formula created to provide nutrition tailored to meet your cat’s needs; whatever their breed, age or lifestyle.

ROYAL CANIN® FELINE BREED NUTRITION diets offer tailored nutrition, providing adapted nutrition to support key breed related characteristics such as a unique coat or musculature. Breed Nutrition also features uniquely adapted kibble, tailored not only to the cat breeds size but also its facial morphology and appetite.

ROYAL CANIN® FELINE HEALTH NUTRITION™ contains a wide range of cat food formulas, designed to meet your cat’s specific nutritional needs whether they’re spayed or neutered, living indoors or out.

The ROYAL CANIN® FELINE CARE NUTRITION range includes diets formulated to provide optimum nutrition to support several common sensitivities found in adult cats, including weight, skin, coat and digestive health.

How do I change my cat’s diet?

 Once your kitten reaches adulthood, you can start to transition them onto their adult diet. Cats prefer to graze feed, so continue to offer at least 5 meals per day. We recommend introducing their new diet slowly, as this will help to reduce any digestive upsets.

Day 1-2: Feed 25% of the new diet with 75% of the previous diet

Day 3-4: Feed 50% of the new diet with 50% of the previous diet

Day 5-6: Feed 75% of the new diet with 25% of the previous diet

Day 7: Feed 100% of the new diet

You may need to extend these transition stages depending on how well your cat responds.

Top tips for feeding

• To ensure an accurate daily food portion, weigh your pet’s food using digital scales
• Treats/extras/rewards should make up no more than 10% of an adult cat’s daily calorie allowance
• Wet food could be used as an alternative to extras. The ROYAL CANIN^© ranges offer both dry and wet food, which helps support mixed feeding.
• Use interactive feeders and slow down bowls to slow down greedy eaters and provide mental stimulation.

Blog sponsored by The ROYAL CANIN^©