Best Grain Free Kitten Food

The best grain free kitten food is easy on your pet’s digestive system and completely balanced to provide it wholesome nourishment.

It is free from grains like wheat and corn, and contains real meat as its first ingredient.

As a responsible cat parent, you want your cat to get the best nourishment through food.

So, it makes sense to feed it a diet free from grains, just like a cat’s ancestors in the wild.

In this guide, we have reviewed 5 top grain-free kitten food options – both wet and dry – so you can find something that your growing kitty loves.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best grain free kitten food:

1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Kitten Food
2. Instinct Grain Free Original Kitten Recipe
3. Halo Grain Free Natural Cat Food
4. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain Free Kitten Food
5. Purina Fancy Feast Grain Free Kitten Food

Best Grain Free Kitten Food – 2022 Top 5 Picks

1. Our Editor’s Pick: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Kitten Dry Cat Food, with DHA and ARA to Support Brain and Eye Development, High-Protein and Grain-Free Diet, Chicken, 5-lb. Bag

Blue Wilderness grain free kitten food is made with real chicken as its first ingredient.

It is completely free from grains like corn, wheat, soy, and even from fillers, preservatives, and dyes.

Blue Wilderness is a completely gentle-yet-wholesome food for a young cat’s developing digestive system.

Being free from grains, it is great for cats with food allergies and sensitivities.

It also contains DHA and ARA which are found in cat’s milk.

In addition to this, this high-quality grain free kitten food also contains the brand’sLifeSource® bits which are antioxidants in the form of berries, vitamins, and minerals.

Blue Buffalo tops our list of the best grain free dry kitten food because it contains nearly 30% protein without grains for supporting a kitten’s lean muscle development.

It also contains taurine for eye and heart health, along with essential fatty acids for cognitive, vision, and overall health and wellbeing.

There is also a Blue Buffalo Grain-Free Wet Food for Kittens.

What we like about it

• Completely grain-free and meat rich. 30% protein comes from real chicken
• No by-products, soy, wheat, corn
• High-quality ingredients, great flavor, loved by picky eaters

What we don’t like

• Packaging issues, bags don’t close properly.

2. Original Grain- Free Recipe with Real Chicken - Kitten, 4.5 Pound (Pack of 1)

The grain free dry or wet food from Instinct® consists of cage-free, real chicken.

It is packed with 81% real animal ingredients and nutritious oils to provide proteins and omegas to developing cats.

19% of the ingredients in Instinct® grain free food come from vegetables and fruits and there are 0% grains, potatoes, colors, preservatives, fillers, byproducts, soy, or wheat.

The best part about Instinct kitten food is that the kibble is covered with freeze-dried raw meat which greatly enhances the texture and flavor of the food – even pickiest of kittens are known to love this best grain free kitten food.

Instinct® brand makes all their cat food products in the USA using high-quality ingredients and innovative packaging to preserve freshness.

With this brand, you are sure your kitten’s getting the best wholesome nutrition.

You can also check out the Instinct Grain-Free Wet Food for Kittens for all life stages.

What we like about it

• 0% grains, high-protein kitten food with 81% real protein and 19% fruits and veggies
• Contains omegas, vitamins, and minerals
• Great taste and flavor due to raw, freeze-drying process. This food increased mealtime excitement even in the pickiest of cats.
• Helped prevent stomatitis, diarrhea, and allergies in hundreds of cats – produced smaller, firmer stools. Improved skin health, energy, and vitality in cats. It also caused weight gain in skinny cats.
• Contains probiotics for digestion, immunity, and skin health
• Minimally processed.

What we don’t like

• Has a fishy smell but cats won’t be complaining about it!

3. Halo Kitten Grain Free Wet Cat Food Pate, Whitefish Recipe, Healthy Cat Food with Real, Whole Whitefish, 3oz Can (Pack of 12)(Packaging May Vary)

Many kittens prefer wet food, so you might want to try out this best grain free wet kitten food from Halo®.

There is fresh, real meat in each can of Halo – white fish and turkey in turkey broth – which your kitten is sure to love.

Halo® Kitten grain-free food meets AAFCO’s pet nutritional guidelines, so you can count on this food to provide your pet with wholesome nourishment.

It is an added bonus that Halo®’s great taste is approved by the pickiest of eaters!

This best grain free kitten food is also free from GMO ingredients, meals, and by-products.

Moreover, it is formulated for complete kitten development thanks to its DHA, lean protein (OrigiNative™ proteins which are free from hormones and antibiotics), and antioxidant content. Its cans are also free from BPA.

What we like about it

• Whole meat, no grains, no meals, easy to digest, high in protein
• Contains DHA for kitten’s optimal brain development.
• Sustainably made from US and globally sourced non-GMO ingredients
• Meets AAFCO guidelines

What we don’t like

• High calorie content caused obesity in some cats. Cut back on the food as guided by your vet.

4. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Premium Grain Free Natural Dry Cat Food For Young Cats, Healthy Kitten Food Recipe - 7 lb. Bag

As its name indicates, Merrick Purrfect grain-free kitten food contains 0% grains, 74% protein and healthy fats, and 26% carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

The number one ingredient in this top-quality food is deboned chicken. There are no corn, soy, or wheat in this food.

You can also buy fish-based Purrfect Bistro grain-free food for your kitten if they don’t like poultry-based food.

Moreover, this delicious grain-free food is rich in DHA – which is necessary for brain and cognitive development in kittens.

It also hashealthy and balanced omegas 3 and 6 for healthy skin and fur and antioxidants for immune support in growing cats.

Purrfect Bistro perfect kitten food is made using the highest quality ingredients from global and local sources in clean USA kitchens.

These real wholesome ingredients also support local farmers and are grown sustainably.

What we like about it

• Balanced grain-free nutrition for kittens with whole meat/fish/poultry.
• Stopped chronic diarrhea and gave shiny coats to many kittens.
• DHA for brain, omegas, vitamins, and minerals
• Variety of recipes for picky eaters
• No artificial ingredients.

What we don’t like

• Some cats developed stinky poop after eating this food. (Check out our guide on best cat food for smelly poop).

5. Purina Fancy Feast Tender Ocean Whitefish, Turkey, Chicken and Salmon Feasts Wet Kitten Food Variety Pack - (Pack of 24) 3 oz. Boxes

Your cat will love this fantastic grain-free wet food from Purina Fancy Feast for its smooth pate texture, a splash of real milk, and its variety in flavors.

Purina assures 100% grain-free wholesome nutrition to kittens with this great food.

Its number one ingredient is salmon or poultry and it also contains a splash of milk along with vitamins and minerals to support your kitten’s complete development.

Purina Fancy Feast contains 11% protein per can without any corn, wheat, or soy.

Being moisture-rich, most picky cats love its texture. This food has helped many cats develop smooth and healthy coats.

What we like about it

• High-quality protein without grains
• Omegas and proteins for complete development of kittens
• Great taste and fresh ingredients
• Perfect portion sizes

What we don’t like

• Contains milk which caused flatulence in some kittens. Many kittens tried to even bury this food. Please check with your vet to ensure your cat is not allergic to milk.

What is Grain-Free Kitten Food?Do Kittens Really Need Grain-Free Kitten Food?

Grain-free kitten food is food formulated especially for kittens and completely free from grains.

Some of the grains found in commercial cat foods are wheat, corn, maize, barley, oats, and rice.

Grain-free kitten food is made using high-quality protein sourced from poultry or fish. It does not contain any meat meals or byproducts. Most importantly, there are no grains in the food.

So, do kittens really need grain-free food?

Vets are divided on this matter.

Some experts believe that cats and kittens do not need any grains. After all, their diets in the wild and even their ancestral diets only comprised of meat.

It was only after we started domesticating cats and when mankind turned to agriculture, that we started feeding our domestic animals with grains.

That is why, many vets believe that cats lack the digestive enzymes needed for digesting grains.

Based on this, more and more vets are recommending the best grain free kitten food to their clients.

However, other experts believe that grains are necessary for providing complex carbohydrates and fiber to cats.

Many also believe that a diet lacking in grains could cause heart-related issues in cats.

While more studies are needed to know the exact truth on this matter, it is also worthwhile noting that grain-free diets have helped many kittens overcome chronic diarrhea, skin and coat related issues, allergies, and food sensitivities.

What are the Benefits of the Best Grain Free Kitten Food?

A)  Provides more protein

These days, grain-free and grain-based kitten foods both contain protein.

However, chances of the grain-free varieties containing more protein are higher since protein is usually the first ingredient in grain-free food.

B)  Is naturally low in carbs

Grain-free kitten food is naturally lower in carbohydrates which mostly come from grains.

However, your pet’s food could still contain carbs in other forms like fruits, veggies, lentils, peas, potato, tapioca, etc.

C)  Can help prevent food sensitivities and allergies

Some kittens are allergic to grains in cat food.

These allergies can manifest in the form of explosive diarrhea, flatulence, itchy skin, hair loss, etc. By switching to the best grain free kitten food, you can prevent these symptoms.

It is important to note that not all kittens are allergic to grains.

In fact, in most cases, cats and kittens are usually allergic to protein sources in the food.

So, always consult your vet before making any drastic food changes.

How to Select the Best Grain Free Kitten Food?

Here are some features to consider in the best grain free kitten food:

1) Is marked as specially-formulated for kittens

Foods marked specially formulated for cats younger than 12 months of age ensure complete and balanced nutrition for your growing pet.

They contain the right balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and Omegas which your developing kitty needs for optimal health and well-being.

Never feed adult cat food to kittens as growing cats have different nutritional compared to adult cats.

2) Comes from a reputed brand

Often, the best grain free dry kitten food or wet food invariably come from a reputed brand.

It is also easier looking for ingredients in foods from top brands that many generic brands do not disclose.

3) Contains vital nutrients

Apart from being marked as ‘kitten-food’, you must also make it a point to read the food’s label.

Ensure that it contains a balanced quantity of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Make sure that there are no grains in the food (corn, wheat, barley, oats, or rice).

The food should ideally contain DHA which is an essential fatty acid for kitten’s brain development.

It should also be rich in taurine (a vital nutrient found in animal proteins) needed for healthy heart and vision in growing cats.

All the foods we have recommended above are rich in DHA, taurine, and vitamins and minerals needed for a kittens complete development.

4) Contains real meat as its number one ingredient

The best grain-free kitten food should ideally contain an easily digestible protein source as its main ingredient.

Look for foods with deboned chicken, seafood (salmon/tuna), and/or turkey as the first ingredient as they are easy to digest and most cats tolerate them well.

Avoid foods with meat-meals, byproducts, and fillers which are hard to digest and also do not provide any real nutrition to your pet.

5) Meets your kitten’s specific needs

Evaluate your kitten’s complete health profile through a detailed vet examination.

Make sure that it has the proper body weight and is free from imbalances and underlying health issues.

With the help of your vet, decide upon the best grain free kitten food that satisfies all of its nutritional needs.

6) Is to your cat’s liking

Young cats can be quite picky. What might seem like a really good food choice to you might be outrightly refused by your pet.

So, always buy only one or two cans or a small bag of the selected food.

See how your pet likes it first.

Ensure there are no adverse reactions like diarrhea, vomiting, excess scratching, hair loss, or gas in your pet.

If any adverse symptoms occur, your pet could be allergic to the protein in the food.

Switch to another food with a novel protein source. (Check out our guide on the Best Sensitive Stomach Wet Cat Food)

Remember: you might have to try out one or two brands before you find the best grain-free kitten food.

Conclusion

The best grain-free kitten food contains 0% grains, high-quality-yet-easy to digest protein, DHA, taurine, and vitamins and minerals.

We recommend the Blue Wilderness grain free kitten food for its real cage-free chicken, DHA and ARA content, as well as its great taste that is well-liked even by picky kittens.

Do check out our other recommendations as well.