OSRS Food for Kitten Best Choices to Keep Your Pet Thriving
Raising a kitten in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding experience, but it comes with responsibilities. One of the most important is keeping your kitten well-fed to ensure it grows into a healthy cat. Choosing the right food can be tricky, especially for new players. This guide dives into the best food options for your OSRS kitten, how to obtain them, and tips to make pet care efficient, all while keeping your gameplay smooth. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a beginner, you’ll find practical advice to nurture your feline companion.
In OSRS, kittens require regular feeding to stay happy and grow. Neglecting their diet can lead to them running away, which is a loss no player wants. Feeding isn’t just about keeping them alive—it’s about building a bond and ensuring they mature into cats, which can chase rats or even be traded for rewards like death runes. The right food keeps your kitten healthy without draining your resources, balancing pet care with your in-game goals.
How Hunger Works for Kittens
Kittens get hungry roughly every 3–6 minutes, depending on their activity. You’ll see a chatbox message when they need food, so stay alert. Feeding them promptly prevents dissatisfaction, which could make them leave after about 24 minutes of neglect. Understanding this mechanic helps you plan your inventory and activities, especially during long skilling sessions or quests.
Consequences of Not Feeding
If you ignore your kitten’s hunger, it’ll eventually run away. This means losing the time and effort invested in obtaining it, whether through completing Gertrude’s Cat or other means. Plus, you’ll miss out on the benefits of a grown cat, like trading with civilians in West Ardougne. Regular feeding is a small task with big rewards, so it’s worth prioritizing.
Best Food Options for Your Kitten
Kittens in OSRS eat specific types of fish, and not every fish works. The game limits their diet to raw or cooked fish, but cooked is usually easier to manage. Here’s a breakdown of the top food choices, balancing accessibility, cost, and convenience.
Raw and Cooked Sardines
Sardines are the go-to food for most players. They’re cheap, easy to obtain, and kittens love them. You can fish them at level 5 Fishing or buy them from markets like the one in Catherby.
- Pros: Low cost (around 10–20 GP each), widely available.
- Cons: Need to cook raw sardines unless you’re using them raw, which isn’t ideal for inventory space.
Seasoned Sardines
Seasoned sardines are a special treat made by combining a regular sardine with a bucket of milk and a doogle leaf. They’re only used during Gertrude’s Cat, but some players mistakenly think they’re needed regularly. Stick to regular sardines for everyday feeding to save resources.
Other Fish Options
Kittens also eat other low-tier fish like anchovies, herring, or shrimps. These are less common choices but work if sardines aren’t available. Anchovies are especially handy since they’re caught alongside shrimps at low Fishing levels.
- Tip: Avoid high-tier fish like lobsters or sharks—kittens don’t need them, and it’s a waste of gold.
| Food Type | Fishing Level | Approx. Cost (GP) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sardine (Raw) | 5 | 10–20 | Catherby, Draynor |
| Sardine (Cooked) | 5 (Cooking 1) | 15–25 | General Stores, GE |
| Anchovies | 15 | 20–30 | Lumbridge, Catherby |
| Herring | 10 | 15–25 | Mudskipper Point |
How to Obtain Food Efficiently
Getting food for your kitten doesn’t have to disrupt your gameplay. Whether you’re fishing, buying, or trading, there are ways to stock up without breaking the bank or your schedule.
Fishing Your Own Food
Fishing sardines or anchovies is a great option if you’re training Fishing anyway. Head to Catherby or Draynor Village with a small fishing net. At level 5–15 Fishing, you’ll catch enough sardines in 10–20 minutes to last days of kitten feeding.
- Pro Tip: Cook your catch at a nearby range to save inventory space and avoid raw fish spoilage during long trips.
Buying from NPCs or Grand Exchange
If fishing isn’t your style, buy sardines from NPC shops like the one in Catherby or Port Sarim. The Grand Exchange is another quick option—cooked sardines are dirt cheap, often under 20 GP each. Stock up on 50–100 at a time to minimize trips.
Trading with Other Players
In busy areas like Falador or Varrock, you might find players selling low-tier fish for next to nothing. This is less reliable but handy in a pinch. Check world 301 or 302 for trading hubs.
Tips for Managing Kitten Feeding
Feeding your kitten can feel like a chore, especially during intense gameplay. These strategies help you stay on top of it without losing focus on your main goals.
Inventory Management
Always carry 5–10 sardines in your inventory. They stack with other items, so they won’t clog up space. If you’re questing or skilling, keep an eye on your chatbox to catch hunger notifications early.
Timing Your Feeding
Feed your kitten as soon as it asks to avoid stacking hunger penalties. If you’re in a boss fight or minigame, consider stashing your kitten with Gertrude temporarily to pause its needs. This is especially useful during activities like Barrows or Pest Control.
Using Kitten Interaction for Growth
Besides food, interacting with your kitten (playing with a ball of wool or stroking it) speeds up its growth slightly. Combine this with regular feeding to get a cat faster, usually in 3–6 hours of active gameplay.
- Benefit: A grown cat requires less attention and can catch rats, saving you food in the long run.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New players often make errors that frustrate their kitten-raising journey. Here are pitfalls to steer clear of to keep your pet happy and your progress steady.
Using Expensive Fish
Feeding your kitten monkfish or sharks is a rookie mistake. These are costly and offer no extra benefits over sardines. Stick to budget-friendly options to save gold for gear or skills.
Ignoring Hunger Cues
Missing the chatbox notification is easy when you’re focused on combat or skilling. Set a mental timer for every 5 minutes or glance at your chat regularly to catch those “meow” prompts.
Overcomplicating Feeding
Some players waste time crafting seasoned sardines or chasing rare fish, thinking it’s required. Kittens are simple—they just need basic fish. Keep it straightforward to focus on bigger adventures.
Raising a kitten in OSRS is a fun side activity that adds personality to your journey. By choosing affordable foods like sardines, planning your inventory, and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll keep your kitten thriving without stress. Stock up on fish, watch for hunger cues, and enjoy the perks of a loyal cat down the line. With these tips, you’re set to balance pet care with slaying dragons or mastering skills—whatever RuneScape throws your way.