When To Wean Kittens Off Kitten Food
Cats have sensitive digestive systems that make transitions between foods.
When to wean kittens off kitten food. Weaning refers to the process by which a kitten goes from mother s milk to solid food. Weaning is the process of transitioning kittens from mother s milk to solid food. Say goodbye to the bottle and hello to a big kid food bowl. You ll also want to be sure to purchase high quality cat food which will be introduced to the kitten gradually.
Kittens are okay with eating either canned or dry food. But when the queen has trouble producing milk or when a litter of kittens is orphaned we need to intervene. It s an important part of the kitten s development and needs to be done at the right time and in the right way. Make up enough food for the kittens to have a good feed at each mealtime and ensure that the mother cat does not eat the kittens food until her offspring have had enough.
During weaning kittens gradually progress from dependence on a mother s care to social independence. Kittens often need extra support during this time to help ensure they re receiving the proper nutrients in proper quantity and to keep them on track for success and independence. Feeding your cat a nutritious diet is essential for keeping him happy and healthy. When you first start weaning your kitten off of its mother s milk you ll want to buy milk replacer.
And if you live with a cat you know just how seriously they take that independence. It is designed to replicate the nutritional value and to a degree the taste of its mother s milk. If you have gathered all the aforementioned supplies you can start the process. If your kittens are bottle fed mix the kitten food and formula into a milky meat smoothie.
Pet owners should make the transition as easy as possible for kittens. Click here for our guide to the best kitten food. Weaning a kitten is the process of transitioning the kitten from mother s milk to solid food. Kittens should eat kitten food from the time they are weaned up until they are one year old.
However if the kitten in your care has been separated from his mother or if you are fostering a litter or a pregnant cat about to give birth seeing. Below is an easy step by step guide on weaning kittens. Teach kittens how to lap from. The kittens should also have a constant supply of fresh drinking water.
Just as important it s a time when a kitten moves from depending on her mother s care to becoming a more socially independent cat. Ideally weaning is handled entirely by the mother cat. It happens when kittens move from mother s milk to solid food. Set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating.
She may well not be. The process generally begins when a kitten is around four weeks old and should be complete by eight to ten weeks. Choose a high quality kitten food. A good rule of thumb is to see if a meat is listed first on its ingredients.
Weaning is a big step in a kitten s young life. Since many of the important nutrients your cat needs is found in canned food always consult a veterinarian before weaning him completely off of soft food. Weaning is the fun messy adventure of helping a kitten transition from nursing or bottle feeding to eating solid food on her own.