What Nutrients Should I Look For in Cat Food?

Two key nutrients to look for in your cat’s food are taurine and omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid. Both of these are essential for your cat’s body. More specifically, taurine contributes to normal heart muscle function and helps support healthy vision at every stage of your cat’s life. Linoleic acid is important for skin and coat health. That’s why IAMS™ products include high-quality protein sources with taurine and sources of omega fatty acids in all of our cat food recipes.

How Do I Decide Which Food to Feed My Cat?

Three factors affect which food is best for your cat: age, lifestyle, and overall condition. Age: Cat food is typically formulated for the three main stages of a cat’s life: kitten (birth to 12 months), adult (1 year to 10 years), and senior (10+ years). Lifestyle: Is your cat an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? Are they very active or more sedentary? Answering these questions can help you choose the right food for your cat. Condition: This most often refers to your cat’s overall health and, more specifically, their body weight. Still not sure which food to feed your cat? Take our Food Finder Quiz for more details.

How Often Should I Feed My Cat?

If you have a kitten, a good rule of thumb is to feed them about three times a day until they’re four months old. This helps them get everything they need to grow big and strong. After four months, you can start to feed your cat twice a day and continue that pattern throughout their adult and senior life. Depending on their activity level and where they live (indoors or outdoors), some adult cats may even need to be fed three times a day. However many times you choose to feed your cat, be sure to stick to the feeding guidelines on the cat food package and consult your vet if you have any concerns.

How Much Should I Give My Cat at Each Meal?

The amount of food you give your cat at each meal depends on their age, lifestyle, and overall condition. We include the daily recommended portion size for adult cats on the package of every IAMS™ product. Start feeding with this amount and adjust according to your cat’s needs. Be sure to divide the daily recommended portion size by the number of times you feed your cat every day. We also recommend talking to a veterinarian about your cat’s specific needs for their lifestyle and ideal body condition.

Can I Feed My Cat Other Types of Pet Food?

Your cat is what’s called an obligate carnivore. That means they can only satisfy their dietary needs with nutrients found in animal sources. They can eat other types of food, but they have to have higher levels of protein than animals that are not obligate carnivores to survive. Good protein sources for cats include turkey, salmon, tuna, and chicken.

Why Choose IAMS™ Cat Food?

IAMS™ brand recipes were developed with help Ph.D. animal nutritionists. This means every serving has the balanced nutrition your cat needs to live a happy, healthy, active life. Our goal is to provide the best nutrition for your cat regardless of their age, lifestyle, and overall condition. IAMS™ wet and dry cat food is packed with the nutrients (and flavor!) that will keep your cat coming back for more, meal after meal. We’ve also developed various formulas for specific health needs (including sensitive digestion and skin and indoor lifestyle) and different flavors and textures (including cuts in gravy and pate) to make mealtime more enjoyable. With IAMS™ Wet and Dry Cat Food, you can help make it a healthy and happy journey for your cat!

How to Care for Your Kitten: The First 6 Months

Published April 15, 2026

Reviewed by Jessica Gilliam, DVM

Bringing home a new kitten is really exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wracking! Kittens require the right food, a safe environment, plenty of play time, gentle socialization, and solid routines to set them up to become confident and healthy adults.

Simple daily habits, such as setting up a quiet, safe space and creating a predictable meal schedule, make a big difference in how your kitten settles into their new home.

We’ve created this guide to help you bond with your kitten and provide them with everything they need to thrive.

Key Takeaways

Kittens need a safe, quiet home base with food, water, a clean litter box, toys, and cozy resting places.
Create and maintain a predictable daily schedule for feeding, play, and sleep to help your kitten grow and thrive.
Feed your kitten a complete and balanced diet and always provide fresh water.
Regularly brush your kitten’s coat, trim their nails, bathe them, and check their eyes, ears, and teeth.
Bring your kitten to the veterinarian early for a wellness check, vaccine schedule, parasite prevention, and plans for spaying or neutering.
Kittens need daily climbing opportunities, scratching surfaces, and gentle social interactions to both build confidence and reduce boredom.

Setting Up Your Home for a New Kitten

Kitten lying on their back, paws outstretched

Essential Supplies to Have Ready

Before your kitten comes home, it’s a good idea to have kitten-formulated food, food and water bowls, a litter box, and litter on hand. If it’s possible, choose the same food and litter they had at the shelter or breeder, at least initially.

Have a mix of toys, scratching posts, and other enrichment items ready and waiting for your kitten, too.

And don’t forget a secure carrier for vet visits and transportation, like that first ride home!

Creating a Safe, Comfortable Space

Choose a quiet room, like the bathroom or spare room, for the first few days so your kitten can adjust to their new home gradually.

As your kitten’s fear gets replaced by curiosity and confidence, you can introduce more areas of your house. Just remember to remove possible risks such as small objects, wires, and toxic plants.

Additionally, make sure your kitten has a cozy bed, soft blankets, and access to favorite hiding spots.

Feeding and Nutrition Basics

Choosing the Right Kitten Food

When considering what food to feed your kitten, choose a complete and balanced kitten food formula. It’s also important to feed them at the same time every day to establish a routine, which will help them feel secure and calm.

If you plan to switch to a kitten food they’re not familiar with, transition gradually so they don’t get an upset stomach.

Feeding Routine and Water Access

Follow the feeding guidelines on your kitten's food packaging and then adjust portions based on your veterinarian’s recommendation. You also want to provide your kitten with fresh water at all times.

Litter Training Your Kitten

Setting Up the Litter Box

When setting up your kitten’s litter box, choose a shallow box so they can easily get in and out. Use unscented, clumping litter for the most efficient cleaning, and put the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area, so they’ll feel comfortable using it.

Encouraging Good Litter Habits

You can help your kitten adopt good litter habits by doing a good job with your part of the process! In the early days, make a habit of bringing your kitten to the litter box after meals and naps. Keep the box in one place, scoop the litter daily, and refresh it regularly.

Troubleshooting Litter Box Issues

If your kitten has trouble using the litter box or avoids it altogether, make sure:

The area is calm, free from loud noises, and private
You add one box per floor if your house has multiple levels
You’ve got one litter box per cat in your house

If your kitten has a good routine but then you notice changes to their litter habits, contact your veterinarian to see what the problem might be.

Grooming and Hygiene for Kittens

Brushing and Coat Care

It’s important to brush your kitten’s coat regularly to reduce shedding and get them comfortable with grooming. Try to keep the sessions short and sweet to help your kitten establish a relaxed relationship with it.

Nail Care

Scratching posts are a great way to give your kitten independence with the natural scratching behaviors that help maintain their nails. But you also want to introduce nail trims early, so the process becomes familiar to them.

Bathing Your Kitten

As the story goes, cats aren’t supposed to like baths. The good news is that your kitten doesn’t routinely need them. Only if they get exceptionally dirty or into something sticky.

Use a cat-safe, mild shampoo with warm water. Avoid your kitten’s face and ears (use a damp cloth for those more sensitive areas) and make the bath quick and gentle. Then dry your little bundle of fluff with a soft towel in a warm, draft-free space.

If you notice your kitten has a lingering odor or skin irritation, or if they make repeated messes that require bathing, you may want to contact your veterinarian.

Basic Hygiene Checks

Gently wipe around your kitten’s eyes and nose if they need clearing, and check their eyes, ears, and teeth regularly for changes. Ask your veterinarian about dental care, too.

Health Care and Veterinary Visits

Scheduling Early Vet Appointments

Bring your kitten to the veterinarian early for a wellness check, where they can help you make sure your kitten is in good health and guide you on a vaccine schedule, parasite prevention, and plans for spaying or neutering.

Watching for Early Signs of Illness

Watch for changes in your kitten’s appetite, energy, litter box habits, and weight, and contact your veterinarian if they seem lethargic, congested, or have GI upset.

Kitten Developmental Milestones

Age	Milestone
7-10 days old	Kittens begin to urinate and defecate on their own
10-18 days old	Kittens attempt to stand Kittens double their birth weight at about day 14 Kittens’ eyes and ears begin to open
18-21 days old	Kittens hear and respond to noises Kittens begin to walk
3 weeks old	Take orphaned kittens to the veterinarian for deworming Kittens begin responsive vocalization Deciduous (baby) teeth will begin erupting
4 weeks old	Begin weaning process for orphaned kittens
6-8 weeks old	Begin weaning process for mother-fed kittens Socialization becomes increasingly important
3-6 months old	Kittens’ adult teeth erupt

Socialization and Play

Encouraging Healthy Social Behavior

The best way to help your kitten develop healthy social behaviors is to let them explore at their own pace. You can nurture these behaviors by supporting their gradual comfort with new people, new places, and new things.

Providing Daily Play

Short daily play sessions with lasers, tunnels, wand toys, and other soft toys help your kitten burn physical and mental energy, keeping them mentally and physically engaged and reducing unwanted behaviors that often pop up with boredom.

Building Confidence Through Enrichment

Set up physical and mental enrichment activities for your kitten with climbing spaces, hiding spots, and puzzle feeders. Reinforce their curiosity and willingness to try with gentle praise and rewards.

Safe Handling and Everyday Care

Picking Up and Holding Your Kitten

Pick up your kitten in a way that makes them feel safe and secure by supporting their hindquarters and chest. Always avoid lifting them by their limbs or scruff.

Kitten-Proofing Your Home

Just like you need to baby-proof your home, you need to kitten-proof it, too!

Keep your kitten safe by securing cords, blinds, and items on shelves that your kitten could reach by climbing. And remember to keep small objects, medications, cleaners, and toxic plants where your kitten can’t get to them.

Lastly, be aware of areas where your kitten can get trapped, like in V-shaped table legs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Caring for a kitten can be overwhelming, but by giving them lots of love and helping them feel safe and happy, you’re doing great! As you learn to take care of your newest family member, try to avoid these common mistakes:

Switching foods quickly, without a gradual transition
Forgetting litter box cleaning and routine hygiene
Overfeeding treats or giving your kitten too much human food
Skipping early veterinary visits
Pushing your kitten to interact before they’re ready

How to Wean Kittens With IAMS™ Cat Food

Kitten walking toward food dish and licking their lips

Kittens grow so fast! At around four weeks old, you can begin offering your kitten water in a shallow dish alongside their mother's milk. You can also start introducing canned kitten food or softened dry kitten kibble at this stage, but nursing should continue alongside these new foods.

Then it’s food time! Mix IAMS™ Perfect Portions™ Kitten Pate with water to create a soft, easy-to-eat texture, and slowly increase the amount of food while reducing the water until your kitten is happily eating 100% soft food.

Transition to dry food in the same gradual way. Add small portions of IAMS™PROACTIVE HEALTH ™ Healthy Kitten to the soft mixture, and slowly increase the dry food as your kitten gets used to it.

In three weeks, your kitten should be fully weaned and ready for their next milestone!

Contributor

Jessica Gilliam is a veterinarian with more than 14 years of clinical experience, specializing in small animal medicine. She is passionate about surgery, dentistry, mentorship, and education. Jessica serves as the Community Chair for the Tennessee Market at Banfield and oversees Mars Petcare’s PetConnect chat, which offers free educational support for pet parents. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and baking.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

All Questions Cat Products

What Nutrients Should I Look For in Cat Food?

Two key nutrients to look for in your cat’s food are taurine and omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid. Both of these are essential for your cat’s body. More specifically, taurine contributes to normal heart muscle function and helps support healthy vision at every stage of your cat’s life. Linoleic acid is important for skin and coat health.

That’s why IAMS™ products include high-quality protein sources with taurine and sources of omega fatty acids in all of our cat food recipes.
How Do I Decide Which Food to Feed My Cat?

Three factors affect which food is best for your cat: age, lifestyle, and overall condition.

Age: Cat food is typically formulated for the three main stages of a cat’s life: kitten (birth to 12 months), adult (1 year to 10 years), and senior (10+ years).

Lifestyle: Is your cat an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? Are they very active or more sedentary? Answering these questions can help you choose the right food for your cat.

Condition: This most often refers to your cat’s overall health and, more specifically, their body weight.

Still not sure which food to feed your cat? Take our Food Finder Quiz(open in new tab) for more details.
How Often Should I Feed My Cat?

If you have a kitten, a good rule of thumb is to feed them about three times a day until they’re four months old. This helps them get everything they need to grow big and strong.

After four months, you can start to feed your cat twice a day and continue that pattern throughout their adult and senior life. Depending on their activity level and where they live (indoors or outdoors), some adult cats may even need to be fed three times a day.

However many times you choose to feed your cat, be sure to stick to the feeding guidelines on the cat food package and consult your vet if you have any concerns.
How Much Should I Give My Cat at Each Meal?

The amount of food you give your cat at each meal depends on their age, lifestyle, and overall condition.

We include the daily recommended portion size for adult cats on the package of every IAMS™ product. Start feeding with this amount and adjust according to your cat’s needs. Be sure to divide the daily recommended portion size by the number of times you feed your cat every day.

We also recommend talking to a veterinarian about your cat’s specific needs for their lifestyle and ideal body condition.
Can I Feed My Cat Other Types of Pet Food?

Your cat is what’s called an obligate carnivore. That means they can only satisfy their dietary needs with nutrients found in animal sources. They can eat other types of food, but they have to have higher levels of protein than animals that are not obligate carnivores to survive.

Good protein sources for cats include turkey(open in new tab), salmon(open in new tab), tuna(open in new tab), and chicken(open in new tab).
Why Choose IAMS™ Cat Food?

IAMS™ brand recipes were developed with help Ph.D. animal nutritionists. This means every serving has the balanced nutrition your cat needs to live a happy, healthy, active life.

Our goal is to provide the best nutrition for your cat regardless of their age, lifestyle, and overall condition.

IAMS™ wet and dry cat food is packed with the nutrients (and flavor!) that will keep your cat coming back for more, meal after meal.

We’ve also developed various formulas for specific health needs (including sensitive digestion and skin and indoor lifestyle) and different flavors and textures (including cuts in gravy and pate) to make mealtime more enjoyable.

With IAMS™ Wet and Dry Cat Food, you can help make it a healthy and happy journey for your cat!