Is "kitten-food" a must for a kitten??

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I am asking this because I am having some problems with my cats. No no, they are not sick or so; but everytime I feed them dry food, Snoopy runs to the bowls of the others and tries to eat the adult food. She eats the kitten food when she is hungry enough, but I have the impression that she dislikes it!
So I need advize: it is really necessary to give Snoopy kitten food, while the others get adult food? Snoopy goes crazy for tuna tasted kibble, but for kittens it is always chicken taste... . What should I do? Force her to take the kitten food? Or let her have the same food as the others? I always buy good quality food from Hills

[catnapper]

Try to find a kitten food she likes. My vet had a heart attack last year when I said Angel and Flutter were eating adult food. It took several brands but I finally found one they both agreed on (Nutro Max Kitten). Most kittens I've met will not eat Iams Kitten. They all love Purina Kitten Chow, but you might not be giving them the best nutrition available with that (but thats what Harry and Abby grw up on and they are looking mighty fine! )

Make sure the adults do not eat kitten food as they will grow fat very fast on it!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Make sure the adults do not eat kitten food as they will grow fat very fast on it!

Easier said than done...
I will have to look for another brand of kitten food then. Does Hills have this? No Nutro around here anymore...

[Jessika]

IMO you don't need to feed kitten food. Kitten food has more protein/calories for growing kitties, which is why adults may get fat if they're left to eat it and eat the same portion of kitten food as they would adult food.

YES, it is safe to feed adults kitten food, and kitten's adult food! You just need to adjust their portions accordingly!! Feed adults less of the kitten food, and kittens more of the adult food.

In most cases, age specific foods are just ways for food companies to earn extra money

In any case it seems you are going to have to feed the cats in separate rooms so the adults won't finish their portion and run and try to eat the rest of the kitten's!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

No more advize? Oh, do I really have to seperate them?? Snoopy is so much used now to eat right next to her sister Zazou

[smokey the elder]

Aw, what a precious baby that Snoopy is!

[carole]

Yes my understanding is that it is ok for cats to eat kitten food and kittens Adult food, there is just more calcium and vitamins in kitten food i am told, so no harm can come to either, except as pointed out you might have some fat puddies who are stealing the kitten food.