As a caring pet owner, you want to make sure you are feeding your kitten the best possible food to support their growth and development. Purina Beyond is one of the many kitten food options on the market, but is it a good choice for your new feline family member? In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the key factors to consider when evaluating Purina Beyond for kittens.
Nutritional Analysis of Purina Beyond Kitten Food
The most important criteria for any kitten food is the nutritional adequacy – does it provide complete and balanced nutrition for growth? Let’s take a look at the guaranteed analysis for Purina Beyond Kitten food:
| Nutrient | Dry Matter |
|---|---|
| Protein | 41% |
| Fat | 20% |
| Fiber | 3.5% |
| Moisture | 8% |
This nutrient profile meets AAFCO standards for growth and reproduction. The high protein and fat levels will help support muscle growth and energy for play. The fiber level is moderate to support good digestion. Overall, the nutrient analysis indicates Purina Beyond provides complete nutrition.
Key Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to macronutrients like protein and fat, kittens need ample vitamins and minerals for immune system function, bone development, and metabolic processes. Purina Beyond contains added supplements of key micronutrients including:
- Vitamin A – For vision, immune health, and coat quality
- Vitamin D – For calcium absorption and bone growth
- Vitamin E – For cell membrane integrity and antioxidant effects
- Zinc – For skin and coat health
- Iron – For oxygen transport in the blood
- Copper – For blood, bone, and nerve development
The vitamin and mineral levels meet AAFCO profiles for growing kittens. This indicates the food contains optimal amounts of these essential nutrients.
Ingredients
When looking at the ingredient list for Purina Beyond Kitten food, the first five ingredients are:
- Chicken
- Rice
- Corn gluten meal
- Whole grain corn
- Chicken meal
Chicken and chicken meal provide lean, high-quality protein. Rice and corn offer carbohydrate energy sources. Corn gluten meal boosts protein levels. Overall, this is an appropriate ingredient list for kittens.
Feeding Guidelines
Following the proper feeding guidelines ensures kittens get adequate nutrition without overfeeding. For Beyond Kitten food, Purina recommends:
- Kittens 2-4 lbs: 1/4 to 1/2 cup daily
- Kittens 4-6 lbs: 1/2 to 3/4 cup daily
- Kittens 6-8 lbs: 3/4 to 1 cup daily
Split this into 3-4 meals for kittens under six months old. These are appropriate feeding recommendations for growing kittens.
Benefits of Purina Beyond for Kittens
Now that we’ve analyzed the nutrient profile of Purina Beyond Kitten food, what are some of the specific benefits it can offer growing cats?
Supports Strong Muscle Growth
The high protein and fat levels promote lean muscle development in kittens. With a protein content of 41% and fat at 20%, Beyond Kitten provides the nutrients kittens need for play and exercise.
Aids Healthy Brain Development
Beyond contains omega fatty acids like DHA that are critical for brain and vision development in kittens. DHA is especially important in the first year of life when the brain is rapidly growing.
Boosts Immune System Function
With added vitamins like A, D, and E, Beyond Kitten food provides antioxidants and nutrients needed for immune health. This helps kittens stay healthy during this critical growth phase.
Supports Digestive Health
The blend of soluble and insoluble fibers can promote good digestion and regularity. Probiotics are also added to support healthy gut flora.
Provides Whole Body Growth
The complete and balanced nutrition enables all aspects of development – muscle, skeletal, brain, immune system, and more. The optimal protein and calories support rapid daily gains.
Potential Downsides of Purina Beyond for Kittens
While Purina Beyond has many benefits for kittens, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
Contains Corn, Wheat, and Soy
The formula includes corn, wheat, and soy ingredients. Some cats may have sensitivities to these grain-based ingredients. However, most kittens tolerate them without issue.
High Carb Content
With around 38% carbs, Beyond Kitten is relatively high in carbohydrates. Kittens generally do well with higher carb foods, but some cat owners prefer lower carb options.
May Cause Loose Stools
A small percentage of kittens may get loose stools when eating Beyond Kitten. This could be related to the fiber content. Most kittens have no digestive upset.
Contains Artificial Colors and Flavors
Purina uses some artificial colors and flavors to enhance taste. Some owners prefer limited use of artificial additives.
Purina Beyond Kitten Food Reviews
In addition to analyzing the nutritional composition of Purina Beyond Kitten food, it’s helpful to read real-world reviews from cat owners who have used the product. Here are some average customer ratings:
| Rating Source | Average Rating |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Chewy | 4.8 out of 5 stars |
| Petco | 4.7 out of 5 stars |
Based on these high customer ratings across major retailers, most cat owners are very satisfied with Purina Beyond Kitten food and feel it helps their kittens grow and thrive. The most common feedback is that kittens find the food very palatable and enjoy the taste.
Positive Reviews
Here are some examples of positive Purina Beyond Kitten reviews from cat owners:
- “This kitten food helped my new kitten put on weight and grow quickly in her first few months. She loves the taste too and gets excited at feeding time.”
- “I switched my 3 month old kitten from another brand to Beyond and she took to it right away. Her coat looks so shiny now!”
- “Beyond Kitten has worked wonders for my picky eater. He cleans his plate at every meal and his tummy troubles have gone away.”
- “I foster kittens and use Beyond Kitten food exclusively. The kittens love it and thrive on it.”
Critical Reviews
Here are a few critical reviews of Purina Beyond Kitten food:
- “My kitten had soft stools after eating this. I think it has too much fiber for her sensitive tummy.”
- “I wish this product had fewer artificial additives. I try to avoid those in my pets’ food.”
- “The price seems expensive for what you get compared to other kitten foods.”
- “My kitten got bored of the flavor after eating this for a few weeks. I have to switch flavors constantly to keep her interested.”
While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some kittens may have issues with digestive sensitivity, preferring different flavors, or cat owners wanting simpler formulas.
Purina Beyond vs. Other Kitten Food Brands
How does Purina Beyond compare to other popular kitten food options? Here is a quick comparison of key stats:
| Brand | Protein | Fat | Fiber | Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purina Beyond | 41% | 20% | 3.5% | 8% |
| Iams Proactive Health | 40% | 18% | 3% | 10% |
| Hill’s Science Diet | 39% | 20% | 3.3% | 10% |
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness | 43% | 18% | 6% | 10% |
All of these foods provide roughly similar amounts of protein and fat. Fiber levels vary slightly, with Blue Buffalo having the highest percentage. Purina tends to have a bit lower moisture content. But overall, the nutrient profiles are comparable between brands.
Is Purina Beyond Worth the Price?
Purina Beyond Kitten food costs about $1.50 per pound on average. This is on the pricier side for dry kitten foods. Is it worth paying this premium cost compared to cheaper options? Here are some factors to consider:
Made with quality ingredients
Beyond is formulated with real chicken, rice, and easily digestible nutrients. No cheap fillers or artificial flavors are used.
Provides complete kitten nutrition
The balanced formulas meet all AAFCO standards for growing kittens. This makes feeding and nutrition simple.
Trusted brand reputation
Purina has over 90 years of experience in pet nutrition and quality standards.
Palatable taste kittens love
Beyond Kitten gets rave reviews for taste and texture appeal. Even picky kittens seem to enjoy eating it.
May reduce waste from picky eating
Since kittens readily eat Beyond food, there is less wasted from rejection of certain recipes or flavors.
Considering these benefits, the premium price of Purina Beyond can be worthwhile, especially in the critical growth phase for kittens.
Conclusion
Based on this comprehensive analysis of ingredients, nutrition, reviews, and more, Purina Beyond can be a healthy and safe choice for kittens. It provides complete and balanced nutrition specially formulated for growth and development. The natural ingredients and palatable flavors appeal to most kittens’ tastes as well. While individual animals have unique needs and preferences, Purina Beyond Kitten food can be recommended for the average kitten’s diet. Be sure to transition slowly, feed proper serving sizes, and monitor your kitten’s health and response. With its high quality standards and decades of experience in kitten nutrition, Purina Beyond is designed to help set your feline friend up for a long and happy life.