Hill’s Pet Nutrition releases first kitten-focused report to support early-life development and care

Hill's Pet Nutrition has released its first World of the Kitten Report, which the company describes as an evidence-based guide to kitten growth, nutrition, socialization, and veterinary care that builds on its World of the Cat Report. The inaugural report was released May 5.

It was authored by Lisa Restine, DVM, DABVP (Feline), a Hill's feline specialist, with contributions from International Cat Care (iCatCare) and the Hill's Cat Advisory Team, a global collective of feline specialists, behaviorists, and nutritionists.

"This report shifts the focus from reactive treatment to a proactive, evidence-based foundation," Restine said in a statement included in the release.¹ "By understanding the unique nutritional and biological needs of the first year, we can fundamentally transform feline health outcomes."

First-year development and nutrition

The report frames the first 12 months of a cat's life as a critical developmental period and emphasizes nutritional needs including protein, fat, essential fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and optimized mineral ratios to support growth. It also highlights Hill's ActivBiome+ technology, which the company describes as a prebiotic blend that supports a healthy gut environment essential for a kitten's developing immune system.

Preventive care and vaccination

Hill's says the report encourages a shift in focus beyond initial vaccinations to address kittens' physical and emotional developmental needs, and notes alignment with guidance from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), iCatCare, and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA). The report highlights a 26-week, or six-month, vaccination booster schedule as an alternative to the traditional one-year booster.

The report also references the "Fix by Five" initiative, which recommends spaying or neutering kittens by five months of age. According to Hill’s, this reduces mammary cancer risk by 91% and helps combat shelter overpopulation.¹

Shelter impact and foster care

The report addresses the challenges of “kitten season” and notes that robust foster programs can achieve neonatal save rates as high as 95%, according to figures cited in the report.¹

The full World of the Kitten Report 2026 is available at hillsvet.com/felinehealth.

Reference

1. Blueprint for a Lifetime: Hill's 'World of the Kitten' Report Supports Veterinary Teams & Pet Parents in Navigating the Critical First Year. News release. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. May 5, 2026. Accessed May 6, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blueprint-for-a-lifetime-hills-world-of-the-kitten-report-supports-veterinary-teams--pet-parents-in-navigating-the-critical-first-year-302761354.html