For kittens under 12 months

Wet food for kittens: cans approved for growth

Kittens need a food whose label says it is complete and balanced for growth or for all life stages. Every can here carries one of those statements on the label.

At a glance

Cans that qualify
71
Brands
13

First on the list: Blue Buffalo Chicken Entrée Paté for Kittens, kcal per oz 41.

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The top 10, side by side

Sorted by kcal per oz. Percentages are shares of calories, so pâtés, shreds and gravies compare fairly.

Cankcal per ozCarbsProteinkcal per can
1. Chicken Entrée Paté for KittensBlue Buffalo · 3 oz419.3%34%122
2. Paté Real Chicken Entrée for KittensInstinct · 3 oz410%38%122
3. Paté Chicken & Chicken Liver RecipeNulo · 2.8 oz406%36%112
4. Paté Chicken & Salmon RecipeNulo · 2.8 oz396%36%109
5. Paté Real Chicken EntréeInstinct · 3 oz390%33%116
6. Paté Real Duck EntréeInstinct · 3 oz393.5%32%116
7. Paté Real Salmon EntréeInstinct · 3 oz390%38%116
8. Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver RecipeWellness · 3 oz390%40%116
9. Kitten with SalmonHill's Science Diet · 5.5 oz393.9%43%212
10. Complete Health Kitten Pâté Chicken EntréeWellness · 3 oz385.5%41%114
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What to look for on a kitten food label

Look for the nutritional adequacy statement near the guaranteed analysis. It should say the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for “growth” or “all life stages”. Foods for “adult maintenance” or “intermittent or supplemental feeding” are not enough on their own for a growing kitten.

71 of the 144 cans we compare carry a growth or all-life-stages statement that we could confirm on the label.

How much wet food does a kitten need?

Kittens need two to three times the calories of an adult cat for their weight. This list is sorted by calories per ounce, densest first, since small stomachs do better with calorie-dense food. Use the feeding calculator for a daily amount.

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All 71 cans on this list

Search, narrow it down further, or change the order.

Showing 71 of 71 cans

Instinct3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Instinct Paté Real Chicken Entrée, a chicken pâté

Paté Real Chicken Entrée

Pâté · 116 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
33%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 33%Fat 67%Carbs 0%
Low carb
Instinct3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Instinct Paté Real Duck Entrée, a duck pâté

Paté Real Duck Entrée

Pâté · 116 kcal per can

Carbs
3.5%
Protein
32%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 32%Fat 65%Carbs 4%
Low carbNo chicken
Instinct3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Instinct Paté Real Salmon Entrée, a salmon pâté

Paté Real Salmon Entrée

Pâté · 116 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
38%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 38%Fat 62%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo chicken
Hill's Science Diet5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Hill's Science Diet Kitten with Salmon, a salmon pâté

Kitten with Salmon

Pâté · 212 kcal per can

Carbs
3.9%
Protein
43%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 43%Fat 53%Carbs 4%
Low carb
Hill's Science Diet2.9 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.9 oz can of Hill's Science Diet Kitten Liver & Chicken Entrée, a chicken pâté

Kitten Liver & Chicken Entrée

Pâté · 104 kcal per can

Carbs
7.7%
Protein
41%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 41%Fat 52%Carbs 8%
Low carb
Nulo5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Nulo Paté Beef & Lamb Recipe, a beef pâté

Paté Beef & Lamb Recipe

Pâté · 197 kcal per can

Carbs
4.5%
Protein
39%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 39%Fat 56%Carbs 4%
Low carbNo chicken
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Chicken & Salmon Recipe, a chicken pâté

Chicken & Salmon Recipe

Pâté · 105 kcal per can

Carbs
3.9%
Protein
39%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 39%Fat 57%Carbs 4%
Low carb
Nulo5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Nulo Paté Duck & Tuna Recipe, a duck pâté

Paté Duck & Tuna Recipe

Pâté · 192 kcal per can

Carbs
6.4%
Protein
40%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 40%Fat 53%Carbs 6%
Low carb
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Lamb Feast, a lamb in juices

Lamb Feast

Meat in juices · 104 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
32%
Phosphorus
253mg
Protein 32%Fat 68%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo chicken
Ziwi Peak3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Ziwi Peak Chicken Recipe, a chicken pâté

Chicken Recipe

Pâté · 104 kcal per can

Carbs
6.3%
Protein
38%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 38%Fat 56%Carbs 6%
Low carbNo fish
Ziwi Peak3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe, a lamb pâté

Lamb Recipe

Pâté · 102 kcal per can

Carbs
5.9%
Protein
37%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 37%Fat 57%Carbs 6%
Low carbNo chickenNo fish
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Lamb & Venison Feast, a lamb in juices

Lamb & Venison Feast

Meat in juices · 99 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
38%
Phosphorus
251mg
Protein 38%Fat 62%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo chicken
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Lamb & King Salmon Feast, a lamb in juices

Lamb & King Salmon Feast

Meat in juices · 99 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
38%
Phosphorus
310mg
Protein 38%Fat 62%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo chicken
Fancy Feast3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Fancy Feast Chopped Grill Feast, a chicken pâté

Chopped Grill Feast

Pâté · 98 kcal per can

Carbs
8.3%
Protein
41%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 41%Fat 50%Carbs 8%
Low carbNo fish
Nulo5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Nulo Paté Trout & Salmon Recipe, a trout pâté

Paté Trout & Salmon Recipe

Pâté · 179 kcal per can

Carbs
2.6%
Protein
38%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 38%Fat 59%Carbs 3%
Low carb
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Beef Recipe, a beef pâté

Beef Recipe

Pâté · 96 kcal per can

Carbs
4.5%
Protein
45%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 45%Fat 50%Carbs 5%
Low carb
Ziwi Peak3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Ziwi Peak Beef Recipe, a beef pâté

Beef Recipe

Pâté · 96 kcal per can

Carbs
6.3%
Protein
38%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 38%Fat 56%Carbs 6%
Low carbNo chickenNo fish
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Chicken Recipe, a chicken pâté

Chicken Recipe

Pâté · 94 kcal per can

Carbs
4.5%
Protein
45%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 45%Fat 50%Carbs 5%
Low carb
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Turkey Recipe, a turkey pâté

Turkey Recipe

Pâté · 94 kcal per can

Carbs
4.5%
Protein
45%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 45%Fat 50%Carbs 5%
Low carb
Hill's Science Diet5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner, a chicken chunks

Tender Chicken Dinner

Chunks in gravy · 170 kcal per can

Carbs
16.4%
Protein
44%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 44%Fat 40%Carbs 16%
Fancy Feast3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Fancy Feast Chicken Feast, a chicken pâté

Chicken Feast

Pâté · 91 kcal per can

Carbs
9.2%
Protein
41%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 41%Fat 50%Carbs 9%
Low carb
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Beef Feast, a beef in juices

Beef Feast

Meat in juices · 91 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
35%
Phosphorus
378mg
Protein 35%Fat 65%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo chicken
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Beef & Hoki Feast, a beef in juices

Beef & Hoki Feast

Meat in juices · 89 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
36%
Phosphorus
393mg
Protein 36%Fat 64%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo chicken
Ziwi Peak3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Ziwi Peak Mackerel & Lamb Recipe, a mackerel pâté

Mackerel & Lamb Recipe

Pâté · 89 kcal per can

Carbs
11%
Protein
46%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 46%Fat 43%Carbs 11%
No chicken
Fancy Feast3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Fancy Feast Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast, a whitefish pâté

Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast

Pâté · 88 kcal per can

Carbs
16.2%
Protein
60%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 60%Fat 24%Carbs 16%
High protein
Fancy Feast3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Fancy Feast Savory Salmon Feast, a salmon pâté

Savory Salmon Feast

Pâté · 88 kcal per can

Carbs
9.8%
Protein
48%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 48%Fat 42%Carbs 10%
Low carb
Ziwi Peak3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Ziwi Peak Venison Recipe, a venison pâté

Venison Recipe

Pâté · 87 kcal per can

Carbs
13.2%
Protein
44%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 44%Fat 43%Carbs 13%
No chickenNo fish
Feline Natural6 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 6 oz can of Feline Natural Chicken & King Salmon Feast, a chicken in juices

Chicken & King Salmon Feast

Meat in juices · 172 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
44%
Phosphorus
390mg
Protein 44%Fat 56%Carbs 0%
Low carb
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Chicken & Lamb Feast, a chicken in juices

Chicken & Lamb Feast

Meat in juices · 86 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
40%
Phosphorus
406mg
Protein 40%Fat 60%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo fish
Instinct3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Instinct Paté Real Rabbit Entrée, a rabbit pâté

Paté Real Rabbit Entrée

Pâté · 83 kcal per can

Carbs
22.4%
Protein
45%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 45%Fat 33%Carbs 22%
No chicken
Fancy Feast3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Fancy Feast Cod, Sole & Shrimp Feast, a cod pâté

Cod, Sole & Shrimp Feast

Pâté · 82 kcal per can

Carbs
16.2%
Protein
60%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 60%Fat 24%Carbs 16%
High protein
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Chicken Feast, a chicken in juices

Chicken Feast

Meat in juices · 79 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
45%
Phosphorus
404mg
Protein 45%Fat 55%Carbs 0%
Low carb
Feline Natural3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast, a chicken in juices

Chicken & Venison Feast

Meat in juices · 79 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
45%
Phosphorus
413mg
Protein 45%Fat 55%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo fish
Royal Canin3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Royal Canin Kitten Loaf in Sauce, a pork pâté

Kitten Loaf in Sauce

Pâté · 78 kcal per can

Carbs
8.8%
Protein
53%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 53%Fat 38%Carbs 9%
Low carbHigh protein
Tiki Cat2.8 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.8 oz can of Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon, a salmon flaked

Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon

Flaked · 71 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
64%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 64%Fat 36%Carbs 0%
Low carbHigh proteinNo chicken
Royal Canin3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Royal Canin Kitten Thin Slices in Gravy, a chicken chunks

Kitten Thin Slices in Gravy

Chunks in gravy · 76 kcal per can

Carbs
14.9%
Protein
54%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 54%Fat 31%Carbs 15%
High protein
Tiki Cat2.8 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.8 oz can of Tiki Cat Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna, a tuna flaked

Hawaiian Grill Ahi Tuna

Flaked · 70 kcal per can

Carbs
4.6%
Protein
73%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 73%Fat 22%Carbs 5%
Low carbHigh proteinNo chicken
Rawz5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Rawz Shredded Chicken & Duck, a chicken shreds

Shredded Chicken & Duck

Shreds in broth · 136 kcal per can

Carbs
9.3%
Protein
68%
Phosphorus
257mg
Protein 68%Fat 23%Carbs 9%
Low carbHigh protein
Tiki Cat2.8 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.8 oz can of Tiki Cat Koolina Luau Chicken & Egg, a chicken shreds

Koolina Luau Chicken & Egg

Shreds in broth · 69 kcal per can

Carbs
2.2%
Protein
66%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 66%Fat 32%Carbs 2%
Low carbHigh proteinNo fish
Rawz5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Rawz Shredded Tuna & Salmon, a tuna shreds

Shredded Tuna & Salmon

Shreds in broth · 134 kcal per can

Carbs
9.3%
Protein
68%
Phosphorus
321mg
Protein 68%Fat 23%Carbs 9%
Low carbHigh proteinNo chicken
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Chicken Recipe in Gravy, a chicken flaked

Chicken Recipe in Gravy

Flaked · 73 kcal per can

Carbs
13.6%
Protein
60%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 60%Fat 26%Carbs 14%
High protein
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Tuna Recipe in Sauce, a tuna flaked

Tuna Recipe in Sauce

Flaked · 72 kcal per can

Carbs
13.6%
Protein
60%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 60%Fat 26%Carbs 14%
High protein
Tiki Cat2.8 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.8 oz can of Tiki Cat Chicken Recipe in Broth, a chicken shreds

Chicken Recipe in Broth

Shreds in broth · 66 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
69%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 69%Fat 31%Carbs 0%
Low carbHigh protein
Purina ONE3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Purina ONE Turkey Recipe in Gravy, a turkey flaked

Turkey Recipe in Gravy

Flaked · 70 kcal per can

Carbs
13.6%
Protein
60%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 60%Fat 26%Carbs 14%
High protein
Rawz5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Rawz Shredded Tuna & Chicken, a tuna shreds

Shredded Tuna & Chicken

Shreds in broth · 125 kcal per can

Carbs
9.3%
Protein
68%
Phosphorus
230mg
Protein 68%Fat 23%Carbs 9%
Low carbHigh protein
Tiki Cat2.8 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.8 oz can of Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken, a chicken shreds

Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken

Shreds in broth · 63 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
72%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 72%Fat 28%Carbs 0%
Low carbHigh proteinNo fish
Rawz5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Rawz Shredded Chicken, a chicken shreds

Shredded Chicken

Shreds in broth · 116 kcal per can

Carbs
9.3%
Protein
68%
Phosphorus
264mg
Protein 68%Fat 23%Carbs 9%
Low carbHigh protein
Tiki Cat2.8 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 2.8 oz can of Tiki Cat Makaha Grill Mackerel & Sardines, a mackerel chunks

Makaha Grill Mackerel & Sardines

Chunks in gravy · 59 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
69%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 69%Fat 31%Carbs 0%
Low carbHigh proteinNo chicken
Rawz5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Rawz Shredded Chicken & Pumpkin, a chicken shreds

Shredded Chicken & Pumpkin

Shreds in broth · 110 kcal per can

Carbs
9.3%
Protein
68%
Phosphorus
246mg
Protein 68%Fat 23%Carbs 9%
Low carbHigh protein
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Questions about wet food for kittens

Can kittens eat adult wet cat food?

Only if the label says it is complete and balanced for all life stages. Food labeled for adult maintenance may not have enough of some nutrients for growth.

How many cans of wet food should a kitten eat a day?

It depends on age, weight and the can. A 3-month-old kitten can need around 200 kcal a day. Our feeding calculator works it out for the exact can.

When should a kitten switch to adult food?

Most cats move to adult food at around 12 months. Large breeds such as Maine Coons may stay on growth food for longer; ask your vet.

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