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When to switch from kitten food to adult cat food
When to switch from kitten food to adult cat food
Updated over 7 months ago

Each kitten grows at its own pace, and switching from kitten food to adult cat food marks a significant phase in their development! Smaller breeds like the Devon Rex might make the transition a bit earlier, while larger breeds such as Maine Coons take longer to mature. Regardless of the breed, transitioning to adult cat food is a crucial milestone in your cat's journey to adulthood.

Once your cat has reached adulthood, the extra calories in kitten food are no longer necessary. Therefore, transitioning to adult food is vital to maintain a balanced diet!

At What Age is Your Cat Considered an Adult?

In general, we can assume the following:

Breed

Adult weight

Average adult age

Regular breed

< 5 kg

12 months

Large breed

> 5 kg

18-24 months

Making the Transition from Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food

We recommend changing your kitten's diet through a gradual shift to adult cat food over a period of 10 days, similar to the suggested transition diet that we explain on this page.

What to Expect When Switching from Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food

Nutrient shift: adult cat food offers a different balance of nutrients than kitten food, which is designed for rapid growth and development. Adult cat food is formulated to maintain your cat's health and energy levels without the excess calories, helping to prevent unwanted weight gain.

Calorie adjustment: adult cat food isn't as calorie-dense as kitten food since mature cats don't need as much energy. You might not need to reduce the amount of food drastically; it's more about adjusting how often they eat.

Digestive care: transitioning slowly over about 10 days by mixing kitten and adult food can help avoid digestive upset and help your cat adjust smoothly.

Watch for changes: keep an eye on how your cat reacts, especially if they seem hungrier or behave differently. Adjusting meal sizes and meal times can help.

Check with your vet: it's always a good idea to communicate with your vet to ensure the transition is timed just right for your kitten's breed and size.

With careful management, you'll set your kitten up for a healthy adulthood! 😄

☝️ Need help with portion size for your four-legged friend? Take a look at our adult cat and kitten feeding guidelines!

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