Cat Food for All Stages of Life

To ensure your cat lives a long and happy life, it’s important to understand all of their life stages and typical cat behavior by age. Cats, in particular, go through many phases that include changes in growth and energy levels. From kitten to geriatric cat, it is important to note these developmental changes in order to provide the best health and nutritional needs for all of their life stages. 

Quick-Reference Chart: Nutrition by Stages of a Cat’s Life

Here’s what your cat needs nutritionally at each life stage, plus recommended formats to support their health and behavior:

Kitten (0 to 6 Months)

The youngest stage of a cat’s life is the kitten phase. At this stage, they are the most curious and playful. They can often be found pouncing at your feet or pawing at objects. It’s a great time to slowly introduce kittens to children or other pets, start working on litter box habits, and solidify crate training, if desired, to allow your cat to feel comfortable when traveling in the car or transporting them to the vet. 

When you adopt a kitten, they are typically between 8 and 12 weeks of age. At this age, your kitten has been weaned off milk or formula and is able to consume solid food, like a fully balanced Primal nutrition for kittens. 

If you own younger kittens, you can introduce them at 4 weeks old to Primal Feline Recipes in conjunction with the milk they consume from nursing. Avoid feeding your kitten adult food if possible. Although feeding adult cat food to your kitten isn’t harmful, it’s not formulated to fulfill their specific needs—like extra calories and protein to support their growing bodies.

Feeding tips for kittens:

• Your kitten should start eating solid food around 4–5 weeks of age

• Transition fully to kitten food by 8 weeks

• Feed kittens small, frequent meals 3–4 times per day

• The best type of food for kittens includes high-protein options, such as raw kitten food

Junior (6 Months to 2 Years)

At the junior stage, behavior often shifts from playful exploration to aggressive boundary testing. This age is where your cat begins to reach sexual maturity. It is important to engage your cat in mental and physical enrichment and play. Invest in toys that stimulate and help their primal instincts of hunting and stalking. Although you will want to use your hands or feet as a “toy,” it is important not to encourage scratching and biting. As your cat grows, it will assume this is appropriate play behavior.

In general, kittens should eat kitten food until around 10–12 months. Make the switch once your kitten has reached physical maturity, meaning they’ve grown to about 80–90% of their adult size. Then, you can begin transitioning them to junior or adult cat food. Some larger breeds, such as Maine Coons, might stay on a kitten diet longer. Always consult your veterinarian about your cat’s individual nutrition needs.

With Primal’s all-life-stage cat recipes, there’s no need to change your kitten’s food. Our complete, balanced raw nutrition for cats helps them thrive through all nine of their lives: from kittenhood to maturity and beyond.

Adult (3 to 6 Years)

Cats in their adult years can be found lounging on sunny windowsills, and still have those random bursts of playful energy. It is important to keep them on a well-rounded, wholesome diet, and to bring them in for routine checkups at the vet.

What to look for in adult cat food:

• High-quality protein for muscle maintenance

• Healthy fats for skin and coat

• Natural ingredients, no fillers

• Moisture-rich or raw formats for digestive health

Primal’s Complete & Balanced Cat Recipes are crafted with the top-quality ingredients cats need to live in their prime. Our formula is specially designed to ensure your kitty gets all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to support healthy weight, digestion, skin and coat, and energy levels. 

Mature (7 to 10 Years)

As your cat grows older, you will start to see behavioral changes. From 7 to 10 years of age, your cat begins to lose their drive to play and becomes less active. This is a normal shift in activity, as your cat is comfortable in their environment and routine. 

As your cat slows down, it is crucial to monitor your pet’s eating habits. At this stage, your adult cat shouldn’t be eating kitten food. Food designed for kittens is too calorie-dense for mature cats, which can lead to weight gain and weight-related health concerns. Always factor in your cat’s activity and weight when determining appropriate mature cat food portions. Primal’s Feeding Calculator can help you prepare the right portions for your pet.

Senior (11 to 14 Years)

From 11 to 14 years, your cat is the equivalent to 70 human years old. During this part of their life, it is important to take your cat to regular checkups at the vet to keep an eye out for age-related health issues. It’s also important to continue feeding a well-balanced diet that supports their immune, circulatory, and digestive health.

As they age, it’s natural for your cat’s appetite to decrease. This makes it even more important to build the best bowl for them — one that encourages your cat to eat and optimizes the health benefits of their food. Primal’s tempting toppers and refreshing hydrators come in a range of preparations:

• Fresh Toppers 

• Cupboard Cuts freeze-dried raw toppers

• Market Mix frozen raw toppers

• Butcher’s Blend frozen raw toppers

• Dehydrated Goat Milk

• Raw Goat Milk

• Bone Broth

Not only do toppers and hydrators taste great — encouraging your cat to eat more — but they add a nutritious, easy-to-digest supplement to boost your senior cat’s food.

Super Senior/Geriatric (15+ Years)

The oldest stage in a cat’s life is the geriatric stage. If your cat is 15 years or older, that is equivalent to living 76 or more human years. Make your cat as comfortable as possible during this time in their life. Be sure to give them lots of love and attention and ensure they have easy access to their food, water, and litter box.

While it’s normal for routines to change as your geriatric cat ages, you will want to watch for changes in their feeding habits, which can be an early sign of age-related health conditions. For cats at this life stage, a significant and persistent increase or decrease in appetite may be worth addressing with a vet.

Geriatric cats often benefit from a high-protein, high-fiber diet to support their muscles and digestion. Dehydration is also a common concern in older cats. Many geriatric cat food options include added moisture and supplements to address hydration, mobility, and digestion, and moisture-rich raw formulas are especially beneficial. 

Consider feeding our rehydrated Freeze-Dried Raw Nuggets or adding moisture to dry food with a nutritious liquid topper. Primal’s Bone Broth, Dehydrated Goat Milk, or Raw Goat Milk are tasty options that may entice your elderly kitty to eat more while also providing needed calories, nutrients, and hydration.

Adopting a cat and creating an unbreakable bond with your pet can enrich your life. Watching them grow from kitten to senior and beyond is an incredible journey, so give them love and the proper nutrition they need by feeding a biologically appropriate raw diet. Browse Primal’s complete and balanced recipes and discover how our life stage–specific nutrition can help elevate the health and happiness of your pet.