Special Kitty Kitten Food

Finding the right kitten food to support your new feline friend’s health and growth can be overwhelming. With so many options on the market, how do you know which one is best? Special Kitty Kitten Food by Walmart aims to provide complete and balanced nutrition tailored for kittens’ needs.

What is Special Kitty Kitten Food?

Special Kitty is Walmart’s store brand line of cat food, including a range specifically formulated for kittens. The Special Kitty Kitten Food line features both dry and canned wet food options made with kittens’ nutritional needs in mind.

The Special Kitty brand promotes itself as a high quality yet affordable pet food line. Made with premium ingredients, Special Kitty claims to offer complete and balanced nutrition catered to kittens’ growth and development.

What Ingredients are in Special Kitty Kitten Food?

Special Kitty Kitten Food contains both animal-based and plant-based ingredients to provide protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Some of the primary ingredients in Special Kitty Kitten Food include:

• Animal-based proteins: Chicken, chicken meal, ocean fish meal provide amino acids for muscle growth and development.
• Carbohydrate sources: Brewers rice, corn, wheat, and soybean meal supply carbohydrates for energy.
• Fiber: Soybean hulls and cellulose add fiber to support digestion.
• Fats & oils: Chicken fat, fish oil, and soybean oil deliver essential fatty acids.
• Vitamins & minerals: Added supplements like calcium, phosphorus, and iron meet micronutrient needs.
• Other additions: Salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried yeast, and taurine help support overall health.

So in summary, Special Kitty Kitten Food derives protein from animal sources, carbohydrates mainly from grains, fiber from hulls and cellulose, fats from animal and plant oils, and includes added vitamins/minerals.

Is Special Kitty Kitten Food Good for Kittens?

When chosen correctly and fed properly, Special Kitty Kitten Food can be a nutritious option to fuel your kitten’s growth and development. Here are some of the benefits:

• Species-appropriate nutrition: Formulated just for kittens’ needs from kittenhood to 1 year.
• High protein: Chicken, chicken meal, and fish provide amino acids for muscle growth.
• DHA: Supports healthy brain and vision development.
• Vitamins & minerals: Added supplements meet micronutrient requirements.
• Digestible: Made with easy-to-digest rice, egg, and fish ingredients.
• Affordable price: Quality nutrition at a budget-friendly Walmart price point.

Of course, individual results will vary based on your kitten’s unique dietary needs. Working closely with your veterinarian is recommended when choosing a food.

What Flavors Does Special Kitty Kitten Food Offer?

Special Kitty Kitten Food comes in a range of flavors to satisfy even finicky feline taste buds:

• Chicken & Rice: Features chicken as the first ingredient.
• Salmon & Rice: Salmon adds an alternative protein and omega fatty acids.
• Ocean Fish & Rice: Made with fish for amino acids and rice for carbs.
• Chicken & Rice Soup: Shredded chicken in sauce for wet food.
• Ocean Fish & Rice Soup: Chunks of fish and rice in a complimentary broth.
• Salmon & Rice Soup: Salmon fillets and rice blended with broth.

So whether your kitten prefers chicken, fish, or salmon, Special Kitty offers recipe variety in both dry kibble and canned wet food.

How to Choose the Right Special Kitty Kitten Food

With multiple Special Kitty Kitten Food types and formulas, choosing the right one involves:

• Life stage: Selecting kitten vs cat formula.
• Food form: Considering kibble, cans, pouches based on your kitten’s preferences.
• Caloric density: Matching higher calorie kitten food to their growth needs.
• Primary protein source: Picking chicken, salmon, ocean fish, or a blend.
• Allergies: Avoiding ingredients your kitten is allergic or sensitive to.
• Other health factors: Choosing recipe tailored to digestion, urinary tract, hairballs, etc.

Your veterinarian can guide you through special dietary factors to determine the ideal Special Kitty formula and form for your individual kitten.

What is the Price Range for Special Kitty Kitten Food?

One of the advantages of Special Kitty Kitten Food is its affordable pricing:

• Dry kibble: Approximately $6 for a 6 lb bag.
• Canned wet food: Roughly $0.50 per 5.5 oz can.
• Variety pack: About $10 for a case with a mix of wet food cans.

So while prices vary slightly by formula, you can generally expect to pay $0.08 to $0.12 per ounce for Special Kitty wet or dry kitten food. This makes it a budget-friendly option compared to premium or veterinary exclusive brands.

Where Can I Buy Special Kitty Kitten Food?

As Walmart’s exclusive store brand, Special Kitty products are sold at Walmart locations and on Walmart.com. You can browse the selection online and use Walmart’s store finder to see availability near you.

Special Kitty Kitten Food can be found in the pet care aisle alongside other cat food brands. Walmart also highlights Special Kitty in in-store displays to make it easy to spot.

You can sometimes find additional discounts on Special Kitty by looking for:

• Special sales, promotions, or coupons on Walmart’s website
• Kitten food variety packs or bundles to maximize savings
• Clearance or limited time sales for certain formulas or cans

This can help you take advantage of deals and stock up on Special Kitty Kitten Food at an even more budget-friendly price.

How to Transition Kittens to Special Kitty Kitten Food

When bringing home a new kitten or switching formulas, here are some tips for a smooth transition:

• Gradually transition: Mix a small amount of new food with previous food, slowly adjusting the ratios over 7-10 days.
• Divide meals: Serve part of the previous food separately from the new food so kitten still eats enough.
• Monitor appetite & stool: Ensure kitten is tolerating new food well.
• Allow exploration: Let kitten get used to new food’s scent and texture, don’t force to eat.
• Be patient: It takes time to transition to new tastes and textures. Go slowly.
• Consider enhancers: Add a little wet food or kitten milk to entice eating.

With a gradual approach, your kitten can successfully acclimate from previous diet to Special Kitty.

What are the Nutritional Benefits of Special Kitty Kitten Food?

Special Kitty Kitten Food delivers complete, balanced nutrition specifically formulated for growing kittens, including:

• High protein: Up to 40% protein from animal sources helps build and maintain muscles.
• DHA supplementation: For healthy brain and vision development.
• Vitamins & chelated minerals: To meet micronutrient needs.
• Taurine: Supports heart and eye health.
• Antioxidants: For immune system support.
• Omega fatty acids: From fish oil for skin and coat health.
• High calorie: Dense nutrition to fuel growth and activity.
• Prebiotics: To promote healthy digestion.

So Special Kitty provides well-rounded nutrition tailored to support kittens as they grow.

How is Special Kitty Kitten Food Made?

Walmart is not fully transparent about Special Kitty’s manufacturing process. However, like most pet foods, Special Kitty Kitten Food is likely made using the following industry standard steps:

1. Sourcing ingredients like chicken, grains, fish meal, and vegetables.
2. Processing meats to remove moisture then grinding them into meal.
3. Combining all ingredients according to formulas.
4. Extruding the blended mixture into kibble using high heat, pressure, and steam.
5. Spraying a palatability coating onto the kibble to enhance flavor.
6. Following quality control protocols and safety checks.
7. Packaging finished dry and wet products into bags and cans for shipment.

As a store brand, Special Kitty is likely manufactured by a third party according to Walmart’s specifications.

What Are the Reviews for Special Kitty Kitten Food?

Reviews for Special Kitty Kitten Food are generally quite positive. Many cat owners say it’s a high quality food for an affordable price.

Here are some common compliments from Special Kitty reviewers:

• Good value for the price
• Kittens love the taste
• Supports healthy growth
• Improves coat softness
• Aids digestion
• Helps weight gain
• Comparable to premium brands

However, some negatives mentioned include:

• Quality control/consistency issues
• Picky kittens dislike flavor
• Too grain-heavy for some
• Caused digestive upset in rare cases
• Prefer higher protein percentage

As with any cat food, results depend on your individual kitten’s needs and taste preferences.

Does Special Kitty Kitten Food Have Any Recalls?

There are no recent public recalls for Special Kitty Kitten Food, which is reassuring about its safety standards.

Special Kitty dry and wet cat food did have two voluntary recalls back in 2007 due to potential melamine contamination. However, no recalls have been issued since then.

Overall, Special Kitty maintains a generally positive reputation and track record for quality control. As a precaution, owners should still monitor any formal recall announcements.

How to Store Special Kitty Kitten Food Properly

To preserve freshness and nutrition, be sure to store Special Kitty Kitten Food:

• In a sealed, dry storage container if transferring from bag.
• In a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
• Away from external heat sources.
• In a location protected from pests.
• Separate from human food prep areas.
• With dry food bags tightly rolled or clipped after opening.
• With canned wet food refrigerated after opening.
• Adhering to expiration or best by dates.

Proper storage helps Special Kitty Kitten Food retain its intended safety, ensuring it provides optimal nutrition. Discard any excess wet food after 2-3 days refrigerated.

What are Common Issues with Special Kitty Kitten Food?

While many cats tolerate Special Kitty well, some common problems seen include:

• Allergies: Allergies or sensitivities to ingredients like chicken, grains, or fish.
• Picky eating: Fussy kittens may dislike the taste or texture.
• Digestive upset: Possible vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Formula changes: Kittens rejecting changes in ingredients, texture, etc.
• Quality concerns: Rare instances of spoilage, foreign objects, or illness.
• Weight concerns: Overweight or underweight from calorie levels.

As with any food, allergies and digestibility can vary greatly by the individual. Work closely with your vet at the first sign of any reaction.

Is Special Kitty Kitten Food Grain-Free?

No, Special Kitty Kitten Food recipes all contain at least one grain such as corn, wheat, or rice. There are no grain-free dry or wet formulas in the Special Kitty Kitten line.

Some good grain-free alternatives to consider include:

• Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Food
• BLUE Wilderness Grain-Free Kitten Food
• Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Food
• Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Canned Food

For kittens with suspected grain allergies or sensitivity, consult your veterinarian about non-grain options.

What is the Shelf Life of Special Kitty Kitten Food?

Unopened, Special Kitty Kitten Food generally has a shelf life of:

• Dry kibble bags: About 18 months from manufacturing date
• Canned wet food: Typically 2-3 years from production date

Once opened, use dry food bags within 6 weeks and cans of wet food within 5-7 days.

As with any pet food, stick to best by dates and monitor for signs of spoilage prior to feeding. Discard any product that looks or smells bad.

How Does Special Kitty Kitten Food Compare to Other Brands?

Special Kitty aims to offer quality nutrition at a more budget-friendly price point compared to premium brands. Here’s how it stacks up:

Vs. Premium foods like Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Iams: More affordable but may have fewer exotic ingredients. Comparable nutrition profiles.

Vs. Veterinary brands like Hills Science Diet: Lower cost but formulated for general versus therapeutic needs.

Vs. Other grocery store brands: Similar pricing and ingredients. Nutrition meets AAFCO standards.

Vs. Budget brands like Friskies: Attractive price but potentially lower quality ingredients.

Overall, Special Kitty delivers solid nutritional value at moderate cost compared to cat food market competitors.

Can Special Kitty Kitten Food Help with Growth and Development?

The nutrient profiles in Special Kitty Kitten Food are designed to support healthy growth and development:

• High protein for muscle growth
• Increased fat provides energy
• DHA nourishes brain development
• Digestible carbohydrates fuel activity
• Chelated minerals enable nutrient absorption
• Higher calories sustain rapid growth

When fed according to label guidelines and as part of a well-balanced diet under your veterinarian’s care, Special Kitty can absolutely contribute to optimal growth and development for kittens.

What Sizes are Available for Special Kitty Kitten Food?

Special Kitty Kitten Food comes in multiple sizes to suit different needs:

Dry Food

• 3 lb bag
• 6 lb bag
• 20 lb bag

Canned Wet Food

• Individual 3 oz cans
• 5.5 oz cans
• Variety pack cases (24-48 cans)

The smaller sizes allow you to sample formulas and test preferences. The bulk bags and cases offer more value for established diets.

Are There Any Allergens in Special Kitty Kitten Food?

As with many pet foods, Special Kitty does contain some common food allergens:

• Chicken and fish proteins
• Grains like corn and wheat
• Soy and soy protein
• Dairy or eggs are in some recipes

Always thoroughly read labels since allergens can vary between specific formulas. Consult your veterinarian on prescription hydrolyzed diets for cats with severe food allergies.

The Bottom Line

When chosen wisely and fed properly, Special Kitty Kitten Food can provide complete, balanced nutrition tailored for your growing kitten. It offers a range of flavors and forms at a budget-friendly price point. Pay attention to your kitten’s unique needs and use their response as your ultimate guide. Partner with your vet to ensure your Special Kitty selection and feeding meets your kitten’s nutritional requirements. With the right diet and care, Special Kitty can help set your kitten up for a long, happy, and healthy life.