Many companies offer dry food delivery for both kittens and adult cats. But, the real challenge lies in finding those that sell quality food with real ingredients, as opposed to those filled with fillers and mystery meats. To assist you, I've written the Best Kitten Dry Food guide to help you separate the authentic from the pretentious.
Each company on my list stands out for genuine ingredients and some unique qualities. One of them offers an on-site quiz for customized meal planning. You'll also find 1 committed to a greener future by partaking in eco-friendly projects to offset carbon emissions. And 1 of them boasts a vast selection, offering hundreds of choices from various brands.
All things considered, Open Farm is my top pick for the best kitten dry food delivery service. The company is transparent about the origins of its ingredients and has fair prices, especially considering the quality of its meals. But other services stand out in other ways, so be sure to check them out, too.
Open Farm – Best overall kitten dry recipes
Cat Person – Best high-protein dishes for young cats
Chewy – Best dry food assortment
The company has a kitten-designed recipe
The service has 5 dry meals on offer
Open Farm focuses on sustainability
Current deal: Save up to 20% on first time orders with code DR20
Open Farm earns my top recommendation primarily for its specialized kitten recipe. It sources ingredients from ethical suppliers that treat animals with respect. And it’s committed to sustainability. What's more, the service clearly categorizes products for different life stages, a feature rarely found in the market.
Open Farm has a total of 5 dry cat meals. And 1 of them is created specifically for kittens. The Kitten Grain-Free Dry Cat Food features turkey and chicken meat. It also contains several valuable ingredients that provide various health benefits. Some of them are cranberries, coconut oil, and pumpkin.
The provider also offers Homestead Turkey & Chicken, Wild-Caught Salmon, Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish, and Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Cat Food. Note that each meal contains extra proteins. For example, the lamb recipe contains a herring meal and an ocean whitefish meal.
There are other kitten-suitable items on the menu. Open Farm offers 3 types of bone broth, available for purchase individually or as a bundle. Besides, the company provides freeze-dried raw meals, expanding your choices for kitten nutrition.
I appreciate that Open Farm is transparent about the origins of its ingredients. When you select a recipe, scroll down to Ingredients and click on See Full Ingredients. This action will open a side window displaying where the meal's ingredients come from.
Open Farm obtains its meat from farms that treat their animals humanely and allow them to roam freely, without being confined to crates or cages. In short, all its proteins are 100% Animal Welfare Certified or wild-caught. Check our comprehensive review to learn more.
Also, the company has set a goal to decrease its carbon footprint in operations by 42% by 2030. To make it happen, it participates in programs that ensure immediate impact.
Open Farm is famous for various reasons, including its value for money. It has a decent selection of dry meals and is a top choice for eco-conscious cat parents.
The cost of dry food for young pussycats is similar. The price of the most affordable package is Pet meals starting from $7 / day, with some other options being barely pricier.
Choose between 3 dry recipes
Each meal is a combo of 2 proteins
The service has treats, toys, and other items
Current deal: Get 25% Off Your Starter Box
Cat Person stands out as another top meal provider for cats for various reasons. Its meals cater to all feline life stages. Also, its website is a go-to place for a variety of other kitten essentials. But what really separates this provider from many others is the protein content in its meals, which is higher than the industry standard.
Cat Person features a selection of 3 dry and 8 wet meals. The dry options each contain 2 types of proteins, focusing on fish and poultry. Its kibble varieties are Chicken & Turkey, Duck & Turkey, and Salmon & Tuna. As detailed in our in-depth review, all dry food products are made in the USA.
The cat food delivery service has the Treats category featuring various supplements. There, you can buy Chicken Savory Chews and Salmon Savory Chews. Also, it offers various health-enhancing products, some of which are Digestive Support, Cognitive Health, and Skin & Coat.
You can also buy toys for your playful kitten. They resemble a chicken, cow, fish, and dog. Some available accessories are canopy beds, bowls, and a litter box.
Cat Person emphasizes the high protein content in its meals. I discovered during my research that its dry meals contain 75% more protein compared to the industry average. Also, info on the homepage states that its food offerings have at least 50% more protein by the same measure.
To begin, you'll complete a brief meal customization quiz. This 7-step questionnaire covers aspects like your kitty's preferred proteins, any allergies, and the quantity of food you feed them. Once completed, the system customizes meals to suit your cat's specific needs.
The provider offers 2 Starter Boxes, with both including wet meals. One box features a combination of wet and dry meals, while the other contains only wet food. You can repurpose these boxes into toys for playful kittens. Also, each Starter Box comes with 2 complimentary Savory Chews.
If you're seeking a 1-stop shop for all your kitten's needs, Cat Person is an excellent choice. It has protein-rich dry meals and a variety of treats, toys, and other extras. But, for food specifically tailored to kittens, Open Farm may be a better solution.
As of my review, all dry meals from this service have the same price. The most affordable products begin at $2.76 per day. Still, you should note that dry meals are more expensive than wet options.
Choose between dozens of dry meals for kittens
Use a side filter to narrow down options quickly
Research kitten dishes by 40+ brands
Current deal: Save 35% On Your First Order
Chewy is an online pet food retailer that sells a range of products from both well-known and emerging brands. Besides food, it offers treats, supplements, and a wide array of other products, including healthcare items. Moreover, Chewy provides an easy-to-navigate platform and accessible customer support.
Chewy has a large dry food assortment for little mousers. At the time of my review of the best kitten dry food services, it had around 80 meals from dozens of producers on offer. And some of them were about digestive health, healthy development, and other specific needs.
The cat food delivery service offers a varied selection of protein options including chicken, turkey, duck, and salmon, among others. If you seek a specific diet for your kitten, there are choices like gluten-free, high-protein, and flax-free, among several other dietary options.
If your little friend needs extra nutrition, Chewy has a selection of dry food toppings, too. When I last checked, there were 40+ of these offerings available. Some brands represented were Nulo, Stella & Chewy's, and Instinct.
Chewy's online store features an efficient filtering system that you can use to quickly find your desired products. Key filters for kitten-related items are Brand, Special Diet, and Flavor. If you value the opinions of previous customers, use the Customer Rating filter.
Customer service provides 24/7 support accessible through phone, live chat, and email. As highlighted in our comprehensive review, Chewy also has a telehealth program, connecting you with licensed veterinarians for any concerns about your kitty's health.
Chewy offers a wide range of products, from food to treats to accessories. But, it lacks the meal customization service that many pet parents appreciate. If you prefer a more customized meal experience for your kitten over a wider selection of dry food, try Cat Person.
The price of your kitten's diet varies based on the type of food, brand choice, and several other factors. Still, the starting price at this online pet food store is <$2 per meal.
Starting Price | Minimum Order | Meal Type | Shipping | Active Deals | |
Pet meals starting from $7 / day | $7/lb without auto-shipment | Dry, wet, freeze-dried raw, RawMix | Free on orders over $50 or $5.99 | Save up to 20% on first time orders with code DR20 from Open Farm | |
$2.76 per day | No minimum | Dry, wet | Free or $7.95 | Get 25% Off Your Starter Box from Cat Person | |
<$2 per meal | No minimum | Dry, wet, raw, freeze-dried, dehydrated | Free or $4.95 | Save 35% On Your First Order from Chewy |
When choosing the best dry food for your kitten, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you're making the right choice. And these are some tips to keep in mind to help guide your decision:
Check the ingredients. Many pet food providers sell dry food, but the differences between them tend to run deep. You should focus on those that use real ingredients and don't add additives, preservatives, fillers, and other by-products. Look for human-grade ingredients and veterinarian-approved meals.
See if the service offers food specifically designed for kittens. Although many companies claim their recipes are suitable for cats at all life stages, formulas tailored for juvenile cats can be beneficial for various reasons. In the services I reviewed, Open Farm meets this criterion.
Think about other essentials. Beyond necessities like a litter box, you might want to pamper your little feline with treats. Or perhaps buy a toy or 2 for your playful companion. Cat Person has all these items on offer. If you have a limited budget, you can turn its starter box into a toy.
Check the customer support availability. You might need to contact customer support, particularly if the company offers a wide assortment of products. While all 3 services I've reviewed provide efficient customer support, only Chewy offers 24/7 assistance, available every day of the year.
Ensure that fresh water is nearby when your kitten eats dry food. Also, consider adding a bit of warm water to the dry food to soften and make it more palatable and easier for your juvenile cat to eat.
I believe that Open Farm's Kitten Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is the best food for young cats. That's because it's formulated specifically for kittens. But if the food you're considering is suitable for cats at any stage of life, it's also a safe bet.
Kittens are ready to start eating moistened dry kibble when they are about 3 to 4 weeks old. By the age of 6 to 8 weeks, they have usually been weaned off their mother's milk and can consume dry kitten food.