Kibble, canned food, semi-moist food, natural food, gourmet food, homemade food ... what's best for your new kitten? It's an individual decision, with input from your veterinarian and, perhaps, your kitten's breeder.

More than 60 different ingredients are required for your kitten's good health, and you need to make sure he's getting what he needs to grow and thrive. Veterinarian Paul D. Pion, DVM, DACVIM, whose research linking taurine deficency in commercial cat food to a fatal heart disease led to a reformulation of the world's cat foods, believes you're best off sticking with big-name manufacturers. These are the most likely to have used feeding trials to test their foods.

The best foods have been tested in actual feeding trials, not just by nutritional analysis. For kittens, look for the words "Complete and Balanced Nutrition" and a statement that the food has been tested "for all life stages. He also suggests feeding a variety of foods, both in the taste and brand categories.

Dry foods are the least expensive and easiest to handle, but most kittens appreciate the tastiness of canned. An option is to feed kibble with a daily taste of the yummy canned stuff.

If you use a homemade diet, you must work with a recipe that has been tested and is complete and balanced for a kitten. A homemade recipe can be formulated for you at http://www.petdiets.com, for a fee. Don't just throw together a diet based on your leftovers and milk! Cats have very specific nutritional requirements, and giving your kitten an unbalanced diet while he or she is growing can cause serious problems down the road.

Cats have a reputation of being "finicky," but starting your pet with a variety of foods from the beginning can help to prevent this trait. Serving food warmed to room temperature is another tip, as is considering the serving dishes. Make sure your kitten's bowl is shallow, easy-to-clean and non-skid.

One of the most essential nutrients for live is sometimes overlooked ... water! Cats like their water as fresh as possible, so keep the dish clean and change the water frequently.