Can I Give My 8 Month Old Kitten Cat Food?

[gordie1]

Hi there I have an 8 month old kitten and up until now she has been eating kitten food and been fine with it. Just recently she is hardly eating anything and constantly turning up her nose at the food I am giving her. She is very energetic so I dont think she is ill I think she is bored of her food. So I was wondering if I can give her adult food I know she is not a cat until 1 year but would it cause her any problems?

[rowanwitch]

of course you can how do you think we managed before kitten foods poor thing she's probably bored

[boxtops]

In small quantities, it should be fine, maybe your kitten is getting her adult tastbuds on-line.

[gordie1]

I had always heard that a kitten did not become an adult cat until 1 year old so had to be fed kitten food so that was why I have not given her adult food until now but I am going out now and going to try her on some adult food

[ummmm]

Cats eat from bins you can feed them anything. If they don't want it they won't eat it.

[rowanwitch]

A cat thinks its an adult about 6months old ... a bit like a teenager they want the cat equivalent of pizza, burgers and chips

[ummmm]

Luckily my cat is not fussy. He eats dried food and we get him tins of fish a couple of times a week. Plus he gets scraps, especially raw meat. Vet said its a perfect diet.

[Prudie]

I have a 4 month kitten who eats absolutely anything, including cheeselets,naan bread and other indescribable things that get dropped on the kitchen floor. To a large extent Inthink kitten food is a new fangled money making con.

[pastafreak]

Oh dear...it seems that you are now an official cat slave. This happens when you worry that the furball is 'bored'....there is no turning back. You've been warned.....

[sheribee]

No, you should not feed your kitten adult foods before the age of 1 year, these foods are specifically produced with the exact nutritional requirements for each life stage, kittens needing higher proteins, lipids (fats) and an less dietary fibre than adult cats. Some people will feed their cats adult foods, but you run the risk of causing kidney damage and also causing intestinal problems such as allergies and colitis.
I am fully trained, and passed animal feeding and animal nutrition at distinction level so I know what I am talking about.
Would you feed a baby food meant for adults? With the extra salt and fibre in, of course not, exactly the same applies to young animals.
I am quite passionate about animal care, so try to give the best advice I can but understand some people may disagree. Xx

[Eve]

"...constantly turning up her nose at the food..."

I'd get used to that one :) They can be fussy little critters.

I always try to have a selection of things in so there is variety, wet food and biscuits and the occasional treat. If they are being fussy I tend to put things out in small amounts to try not to waste it if it doesn't get eaten.

Mind you, I have another local cat who tends to come in and hoover up any excess so it's not often wasted!