Hill's Science Diet Kitten Dry Cat Food, Chicken Recipe (3.5 lb)

Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food for Growing Kittens

Product Description

Hill's Science Diet Kitten Dry Cat Food in Chicken Recipe is a complete and balanced kibble that supports healthy growth in kittens from weaning through their first year, with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit technology supporting digestion, immune system, and organ health. Real chicken is the first ingredient, with brown rice, whole grain oats, cracked pearled barley, and a wholesome blend of natural fiber sources. Verified by AAFCO feeding tests for growing kittens and pregnant or nursing cats.

Benefits

• ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit: A special blend of prebiotic fibers and antioxidants supports digestion, immune system function, and organ health in growing kittens.
  Healthy Brain and Eyes: DHA from fish oil promotes healthy brain and eye development during the kitten's first year of life.
• Muscle-Building Protein: Real chicken as the first ingredient provides high-quality protein to support healthy muscle development in growing kittens.
• Strong Bones and Teeth: Calcium at 1.44% and phosphorus at 1.2% dry matter are balanced to support healthy bone and dental development in kittens.
• Immune System Support: Vitamins C at 122 ppm and E at 591 IU/kg support the healthy development of the immune system in growing kittens.
• Healthy Skin and Coat: Omega-6 fatty acids at 4.47% dry matter alongside fish oil support healthy skin and coat during the kitten's first year.
• Pregnant and Nursing Cats: Verified by AAFCO feeding tests for gestating and lactating adult female cats in addition to growing kittens.

Variants

3.5 lb

7 lb

15.5 lb

Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Oats, Egg Product, Chicken Liver Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, L-Lysine, Calcium Sulfate, Dried Citrus Pulp, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, DL-Methionine, Pressed Cranberries, Cysteine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Magnesium Oxide, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.

Guaranteed Analysis

Calorie Content: 4076 kcal/kg | 555 kcal per cup

How to Use

Recommended-Usage Chart

Disclaimer: Product information and usage guidelines are provided by the manufacturer. Always use products as directed on the label and consult your veterinarian before use if you have any concerns regarding your pet's health.

Directions for Use

• Adjust for Optimal Weight: Adjust daily portions as needed to keep your kitten at a healthy weight, and check with your vet if you are unsure about the right daily amount.
• Transition Gradually: When switching to this food, slowly increase the new food while reducing the old over 7 days to prevent digestive discomfort.
• Fresh Water Always: Keep fresh water available to the kitten at all times throughout the day.
• Nutritional Needs Change With Age: A kitten's needs shift at each developmental stage and into adulthood, so review the feeding plan with a vet at every routine checkup.

Additional Information

Precautions

• For Kittens and Pregnant or Nursing Cats Only: This formula is made for kittens from weaning to 1 year old and for gestating or lactating cats. It is not appropriate for general adult cat feeding.
• Not for Long-Term Adult Use: Long-term feeding of this formula to adult cats is not recommended unless a veterinarian confirms the cat has higher-than-normal energy requirements.
• Adjust Amounts as Kitten Grows: Daily portions change across age brackets, so updating the daily amount at each stage prevents under- or overfeeding.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Discomfort on Transition: Moving to a new food too quickly may cause temporary digestive upset, making the full 7-day gradual transition important before fully replacing the previous food.

Storage Information

• Keep Packaging Away: Store the bag and all packaging safely out of reach of both pets and children at all times to prevent potential suffocation hazards.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is Hill's Science Diet a good kitten food for a first-time cat owner?

Ans: Yes, Hill's Science Diet Kitten Chicken Recipe is a well-established, veterinarian-recommended formula that is straightforward to feed and suitable from weaning through 1 year. The feeding chart on the bag covers all age brackets and body weights, making daily portioning straightforward even for owners feeding a kitten for the first time.

Q2: What does ActivBiome+ mean on this Hill's kitten dry food bag?

Ans: ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit refers to Hill's proprietary blend of prebiotic fibers and antioxidants included in this formula to support three areas simultaneously: digestion, immune system development, and organ health. It is present in this kitten formula to help growing kittens build a healthy digestive foundation and immune response during their first year.

Q3: Does this Hill's kitten dry food need to be mixed with wet food?

Ans: No, this kibble provides complete and balanced nutrition on its own and does not need to be supplemented with wet food. However, mixing it with a Hill's Science Diet kitten wet food can add mealtime variety and increase daily moisture intake, which can be beneficial for kittens who do not drink enough water on their own throughout the day.

Q4: How much of this kitten kibble should I feed a 3 lb kitten under 4 months old?

Ans: A 3 lb kitten under 4 months old typically needs around 1/2 cup per day, or approximately 70 grams, as a starting amount. Adjust portions based on your kitten's individual body condition and growth rate, and check in with your vet at each visit to keep the daily amount on track.

Q5: Does this Hill's kitten dry food contain taurine?

Ans: Yes, taurine is listed as a separate added ingredient in this formula. Cats cannot produce sufficient taurine on their own at any life stage, making dietary supplementation essential. In growing kittens, taurine supports healthy cardiac muscle function and normal visual development during the first year when these organ systems are actively forming.

Q6: Can I feed this 3.5 lb kitten dry food to my cat during pregnancy?

Ans: Yes, this formula meets AAFCO feeding test requirements for both gestating and lactating adult female cats and growing kittens, so it is appropriate to feed during pregnancy and nursing. Switching a pregnant cat to this food should be done gradually over a full 7 days to avoid digestive discomfort during the changeover.

Q7: Why does this kitten food have more calories per cup than adult dry cat food?

Ans: At 555 kcal per cup, this kitten formula has a higher caloric density than most adult dry formulas because kittens have significantly greater energy needs per unit of body weight during rapid growth. The elevated caloric content ensures growing kittens receive adequate energy to fuel healthy muscle development, bone formation, and organ growth throughout their first year.